The title race is back on but its been on for 2 weeks ever since Fulham beat United at Craven Cottage. Liverpool came close last afternoon to dropping two precious points but the combination of Gerrard and Benayoun popped up in injury time to score that vital goal. Three points in the bag and Benitez claiming the pressure was on United. How right you are, senor. The pressure has been on since Liverpool came and thrashed United on home turf by 4 goals to 1. There was pressure to rebound at Fulham without the colossus that is Nemanja Vidic, and the team succumbed badly. I had said in my post on the agonies of a sports fan that one is not redeemed till your team wins again. I've been suffering since March 14th and it was close to lasting till April 11th. Not anymore.
United played absolutely awfully. They played with composure only after the first goal was scored in the 14th minute for a few minutes and then once again after the 75th minute. Villa's midfield generals Barry and Petrov patrolled brilliantly, winning tackles and providing easy passes for their pacy young trio of Young, Agbonlahor and Milner to attack. United were gifted an indirect freekick by Milner's lack of judgement when back-passing. Either way its extremely difficult to convert these and Ronaldo was definitely helped by the awful positioning of Friedel and Nicky Shorey being 5'6 and on the line.
Villa's response was typical of their general play with Barry again winning the ball and crossing brilliantly for Carew to nod in. United are missing Vidic and his imperious presence in the air. The folly of starting Gary Neville in the center of defense was proved fairly early on and he switched positions with O'Shea at right back but that didn't help matters much. Neville is most certainly on his way out of the game. He does not have the pace to deal with the Agbonlahors and Youngs nor the jumping ability to deal with a Carew. It was heartening to see him put in his trademark tackle on Agbonlahor but it was a rare instance for applause. He was at fault for Villa's second goal as well according to me. Ronaldo lost the ball lazily, that's fair but why was Neville pressing Petrov near the halfway line when Carew was peeling off into space on his side? It was an obvious pass to Carew who eventually ambled up to the box before crossing for Agbonlahor. Yet another header, yet another memory of Vidic missing.
United didn't seem capable of getting back without the invention of Rooney. Ronaldo acts like a cry-baby far too early in a game if United is losing and its frustrating. Nani had a couple of decent crosses but dribbled horribly and gave nothing else. Tevez ran his guts out again but doesn't have the pace to get past defenders. I welcomed Macheda coming on to the pitch in the 61st minute for Nani, knowing only that he was a day over 16 when signed from Lazio. This kid will do great things. His physique is huge for a 17 year old much like Rooney was when he was 16. Ronaldo scored somehow in the 80th minute with a dribbling shot which barely got past Friedel. He was indescript the entire game except for his two goals (if that makes any sense). At that point, I was willing to accept the single point.
Martin Tyler asked Andy Gray some minutes later would United play to win and risk the loss? Absolutely, this is Manchester United was the gruff response. The other teenage substitute striker Welbeck had a good chance at 88 minutes but Friedel saved well. Just a little before, the always excellent Jonny Evans slid in beautifully to prevent Young getting the ball and an open goal. It was to fall to Macheda though to win honours between these two young, attacking clubs. He gathered the ball, shaped to shoot, danced in on the left before dragging the ball back to his right, curling it in even as he lost his footing and fell. A fantastic goal, on debut, in injury time after two consecutive losses and putting his club back on top of the table with his family standing at the same corner he scored at. Could a dream get any dreamier?
The title's destination is not decided yet. In fact, United have shown repeatedly over the last 3 games that they are vulnerable to any team that is willing to attack them, which will be every team now. We're missing Hargreaves and Vidic. Confidence in defense and the keeper have been severely eroded and some clean sheets are needed to sort that out. Let's stand back though and witness the birth of a star that is Macheda.
Update - The reaction to Macheda's goal is incredible. Words may have failed Andy Gray but they're not failing some fans.
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