Bouncing backQUOTE
Three days on and the weekend’s defeat to Liverpool still hurts. Fingers have been pointed, missed opportunites lamented and luck bemoaned. But now it’s time to move on and look ahead to this weekend's trip to Craven Cottage.
For an idea of how the Reds will react this Saturday, we’ve examined United’s response to the last six domestic defeats. It makes for encouraging reading…
Lost: 0-1 v Derby County (A)
Response: 3-0 v Chelsea (H)
United’s limp performance in the Carling Cup at Pride Park was hardly the best preparation ahead of a crunch league clash against Chelsea. But four days later the Reds, inspired by Ryan Giggs, produced a stunning performance to sweep aside Phil Scolari’s men courtesy of goals from Nemanja Vidic, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov.
Lost: 1-2 v Arsenal (A)
Response: 1-0 v QPR (H)
The Reds simply didn’t turn up at the Emirates and only an injury-time winner from Rafael added any sort of respectability to the scoreline. Only Anderson was back in the team that faced QPR in the Carling Cup three days later, but the kids rallied to win 1-0 and continue the march towards Wembley. The next game, when seven of the side that played Arsenal returned to the starting XI, United romped to a 5-0 victory against Stoke City.
Lost: 1-2 v Liverpool (A)
Response: 0-0 v Villarreal (H), 1-1 v Chelsea (A)
Four days after losing at Anfield earlier this season United welcomed Villarreal to Old Trafford on Champions League Matchday 1. Given the history between the two sides – all four meetings over the years have ended goalless – it was always going to end 0-0 but the Reds did dominate proceedings on Ronaldo’s return after a lengthy injury layoff. As for United’s next domestic outing, Sir Alex’s men achieved a credible 1-1 draw at “fortress” Stamford Bridge.
Lost: 1-2 v Chelsea (A)
Response: 1-0 v Barcelona (H)
What better way to bounce back from a late defeat at Chelsea than by booking a place in the Champions League final? Into Old Trafford’s theatre strode the flair of Messi, Henry and Eto’o, but it was no-nonsense Paul Scholes that struck an early United winner to seal a famous victory. And don’t forget the job Rio and co. did at the back, either: from the moment Scholesy’s shot hit the back of the net it was backs to the wall stuff.
Lost: 0-1 v Portsmouth (H)
Response: 1-0 v Derby County (A)
After an FA Cup tie that will be remembered as much for Sir Alex’s post-match assessment of referee Martin Atkinson as Sully Muntari’s winning penalty, United made the short trip to Pride Park to resume battle in the league. The Reds were made to work for the win (a narrow 1-0 thanks to Ronaldo’s 76th-minute strike) and showed spades of character in the face of the Rams’ dogged resistance. It wasn’t the greatest United performance, but three points is three points and a return to winning ways.
Lost: 1-2 v Manchester City (H)
Response: 4-0 v Arsenal (H)
The closest match to the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster sadly turned out to be one to forget. Thankfully, however, the defeat seemed to rouse the Reds into action and the next weekend it was Arsenal who felt the full force of United’s fury. Sir Alex’s men were 2-0 up inside 20 minutes courtesy of headers from Rooney and Fletcher. By half-time it was 3-0 as Nani got in on the act, before Fletcher completed the rout in the second-half as the Reds breezed into the FA Cup sixth round.
QUOTE
How the Reds respond
In matches following United's last six domestic defeats, Sir Alex's men have...
Played: 6
Won: 5
Drawn: 1
Lost: 0
Goals For: 10
Goals Against: 0
Verdict: United typically bounce back well from defeat. Indeed, the Reds haven't lost consecutive domestic matches since the end of the 2006/07 season (West Ham, Chelsea).
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=...&newsid=6629106Fergie hails United attitude» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Sir Alex Ferguson has praised the attitude of his Manchester United squad for adapting to his rotation policy.
United boss Ferguson has regularly changed his team around this season due to injuries and the number of games the club have played.
The alterations have not affected the team's bid for honours, with the Fifa Club World Cup and Carling Cup already won, and the Red Devils in a promising position in the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League.
Ferguson concedes it is difficult to leave a player out after an impressive performance, but has hailed the manner in which his players accept the changes.
Marvellous
"The attitude of the players has been marvellous, especially when it comes to the business of being left out," said Ferguson. "There have been no dummies flying out of the pram.
"I hate telling a player that, although he has perhaps just delivered a top-class performance, I will not be using him in the next match.
"It's not nice, but it helps that the players understand."
The United chief also praised the form of John O'Shea, with the versatile Irishman having started regularly at right-back in recent weeks.
Ferguson added: "I feel blessed that we have players like John O'Shea, who has stepped in to play out of his skin.
"John has thrived on playing regularly and I'm sure that if I asked him to play at centre-forward he would get us a goal.
"It's great to have such adaptable players and it's one of our strengths as we enter the last lap of the title race."
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5062162,00.htmlQUOTE
"I hate telling a player that, although he has perhaps just delivered a top-class performance, I will not be using him in the next match.
Tevez got this the most I guess
This post has been edited by alien2003: Mar 17 2009, 08:00 PM