For the second season running horrendous refereeing decisions allow Manchester United victory at Villa Park. Last season Gabriel Agbonlahor was astoundingly sent off after being fouled by Ashley Young, which was later reviewed and overturned but not before United escaped with all the points. This season referee Mike Dean had a disappointing game allowing United’s new Italian knife Darmien to twice wrench Micah Richards back in the area with no calls.
The commentators were left astounded that the referee missed those two incidents and that he failed to card any United players for blatant professional fouls until way late into the match.
As far as the game, Villa caused United plenty of problems, forcing United into a lot of poor passes. However, United was comfortable for long periods of time and killed the game off brilliantly in the final 20 minutes.
United warned Villa twice and the home side was punished the third time. Number one, Villa allowed Schneiderlin to get around the defence, but he couldn’t get his header directed. Then Amavi failed to move up allowing a Rooney through ball to Memphis to be legal. The third time, Richards moved up to early and Clark stayed back allowing Januzaj to stay onside and his shot took a nasty deflection off Clark and hit the post and bounce in.
Villa found its best spell of the match and United caused itself problems with some poor passing, especially Mata who was also guilty early in the second half presenting a great chance for Ayew whose finishing was as bad as advertised when Villa splashed out for him.
In some respects Villa improved on the Bournemouth game, but it still has a long way to go to prove to critics it has turned the corner from last season.
Sherwood made an awful substitution in my mind, with the crowd baying for Rudy, he capitulated and took off Sinclair. To me, I am not a huge Sinclair fan and in the first half he met my usual expectations of him, quite average, but in the second half with some of the United players almost panicking in possession he began to grow into the game just as he was given the hook.
Gestede did not have the impact he had enjoyed against the Cherries and was shockingly often out leapt by Daley Blind.
Villa need not drop heads, United are far better than last season’s side and they rarely had chances against a stubborn Villa side. The trap Villa has always fallen into, however, is decent performances against the top sides followed by flat performances against the average sides. Villa has to approach the next game as if it is United again with the same urgency and excitement. The fans need to be just as enthusiastic.
Ratings:
Guzan 7 Much more assured with the ball at his feet. The fans are still scared, but he’s not. Great tackle on Memphis as well.
Bacuna 7 Really good performance by the lad. A right back he is not, but he’s giving it a shot.
Richards 7 So solid and fast. Vlaar was good on the ball with his feet, but Micah takes it to another level, unlike Vlaar he can defend
Clark 6.5 Loses ½ a point for being the player that played Januzaj onside, but overall another assured game gor the lad.
Amavi 7 Seems to have it all. Interceptions, runs at players, crosses. He’s going to love having Greals in front of him
Westwood 7.5 Probably should be man of the match, just so practical and honest. Hardly plays a bad pass. Nothing fancy until he has to and then when he does it is stunning.
Gueye 8 Gets man of the match because he’s so exciting. Great replacement for Delph, although older he is a bundle of energy.
Veretout 6 I am not disappointed with this purchase, he’s just not ready. The injuries on this team have forced him in too early. There are signs that a young Cabaye is in the making, but Paris wasn’t built in a day.
Sinclair 6.5 After a languid first half, he began to wriggle out of the dead ends he seems to get into a little much.
Ayew 6 Improvement on the Bournemouth game, he has a bucketful of skill and no end product. He should have made way for Gestede or at least Kozak when he got leggy late on
Gabby 6 I want to give a 5.5 but, his valiant efforts push him up and 5.5 would make him the worst player of the starters and he didn’t deserve that.
Gestede 5 Not the cameo of last week, but, not his fault. He does need service, so hurry up and get match fit Gill, Greals and Traore
Sanchez 5.5 Mostly good, a couple of minor mistakes.