Old Trafford wasn't the best place for an United fan last evening. The tactical plans (If they were any) were falling apart all over the pace, Bilbao were allowed to launch attack after attack, and Manchester United eventually lost. The Spanish side were allowed a firm grasp on United's jugular throughout the match and bit in, not once but thrice.
The side from Bilbao started the first half on the front foot and United left huge, massive gaps on the pitch uncovered, supplementing Athletic's penetration. To be fair to United, they did launch some pretty good counter attacks, and one of them lead to a goal by Wayne Rooney. The whole move was orchestrated by Ryan Giggs who played the game in the middle of the park, but I'll get to that later. The Welshman probed into the final third, and played a splendid ball to Hernandez who swerved away from his marker and fired a low shot intended for the bottom corner. Iraizov got to it but couldn't recollect the rebound and Rooney took it in it stride to guide the ball into the net.
Bilbao weren't demotivated, no sir. They started where they'd left of. Their quick movement proved to quick for United. Which brings this blogger to his point. Why did Sir Alex field Giggs and Park in the central mid-field position? Admittedly they are experienced, but they are slow, and against a faster three they were no match and they proved it. And as the play shifted across the field, the whole structure of United's central mid-field swayed. So did the defence, except they didn't sway, they just kept breaking. De Gea, probably United's man of the match for a few games now was the only string that prevented from Athletic handing out a real hammering.
But even the Spaniard couldn't help when his compatriot Llorente collected the ball at the edge of the penalty area, played it wide, and ran it to convert the incoming, resulting cross, helped Bilbao comeback on level terms.
United's attacks still had the sting in attack though and almost scored a few times themselves. Ferguson's half time team talk helped a little as United slowly saw more of the ball. More, but not enough. Athletic were still allowed to keep up their tiki-taka and in the stroke of the hour, they scored and this time through De Marcus who was offside but not given.
United suddenly had more of the ball, but just like time and time again this season, they lacked the finishing edge. But then the tide turned as Bilbao were given a free kick in their half due to Patrice Evra's boot flying off. Instead of customarily playing it to the keeper, the side from Spain who had been exemplary all evening decided to keep the ball.....This blogger feels that was an utter disgrace to their performance........But anyway De Marcos got it and drove it at De Gea and the shot stopper did what he does best, saved it. But Rafael who should have cleared it assumed that the Spaniard would recollect himself in a split second and reclaim the rebound, and the lurking Munian took advantage and put Athletico 3-1 ahead. United did get a Rooney goal from a penalty but have plenty to improve if they are to get to the quarter finals, which going by their European form this yer, they probably won't.
The side from Bilbao started the first half on the front foot and United left huge, massive gaps on the pitch uncovered, supplementing Athletic's penetration. To be fair to United, they did launch some pretty good counter attacks, and one of them lead to a goal by Wayne Rooney. The whole move was orchestrated by Ryan Giggs who played the game in the middle of the park, but I'll get to that later. The Welshman probed into the final third, and played a splendid ball to Hernandez who swerved away from his marker and fired a low shot intended for the bottom corner. Iraizov got to it but couldn't recollect the rebound and Rooney took it in it stride to guide the ball into the net.
Bilbao weren't demotivated, no sir. They started where they'd left of. Their quick movement proved to quick for United. Which brings this blogger to his point. Why did Sir Alex field Giggs and Park in the central mid-field position? Admittedly they are experienced, but they are slow, and against a faster three they were no match and they proved it. And as the play shifted across the field, the whole structure of United's central mid-field swayed. So did the defence, except they didn't sway, they just kept breaking. De Gea, probably United's man of the match for a few games now was the only string that prevented from Athletic handing out a real hammering.
But even the Spaniard couldn't help when his compatriot Llorente collected the ball at the edge of the penalty area, played it wide, and ran it to convert the incoming, resulting cross, helped Bilbao comeback on level terms.
United's attacks still had the sting in attack though and almost scored a few times themselves. Ferguson's half time team talk helped a little as United slowly saw more of the ball. More, but not enough. Athletic were still allowed to keep up their tiki-taka and in the stroke of the hour, they scored and this time through De Marcus who was offside but not given.
United suddenly had more of the ball, but just like time and time again this season, they lacked the finishing edge. But then the tide turned as Bilbao were given a free kick in their half due to Patrice Evra's boot flying off. Instead of customarily playing it to the keeper, the side from Spain who had been exemplary all evening decided to keep the ball.....This blogger feels that was an utter disgrace to their performance........But anyway De Marcos got it and drove it at De Gea and the shot stopper did what he does best, saved it. But Rafael who should have cleared it assumed that the Spaniard would recollect himself in a split second and reclaim the rebound, and the lurking Munian took advantage and put Athletico 3-1 ahead. United did get a Rooney goal from a penalty but have plenty to improve if they are to get to the quarter finals, which going by their European form this yer, they probably won't.
