Manchester United vs. Arsenal

Taking everything into account, not too bad a half. We're in the lead and I'll take that. Despite that, we've been the better side comfortably and knowing us at times we could come to rue not taking our chances as we should have.

Valencia vs Santos has been the key battle. Santos just isn't good enough to cope with Valencia's pace and it's showing. Young hasn't offered enough on the other wing though.

Not sure about the penalty. I can see why it was given, but at the same time I understand the defenders situation. Can't dispute the ref awarding it though to be honest.

I guess it's the best time to miss a pen in this type of game though. It means that Arsenal can't immediately capatalise from any momentum it gives them and we have a proper chance to regroup.

Defensively we've been fine, but the way we've been this season you can't be 100% that there's not going to be a mindless slip up at some point.
 
We're comfortable but this game should be over and it's not which is always worrying. The attacks haven't been utilised to their best, but then it was only 2-1 last year at half time. I'd like to see Young and Valencia run at their men more, Valencia has beaten Santos a few times but he could take on more when he gets it. Personally I'd quite like to see Nani for Young as I think he could just make the difference, but it's not a big deal, would expect Fergie to make sure the players get the second quick.
 
Arse will be better in the second half.. Hard not to be.
We really shouldve made the dominance count..

More of the same and we should be fine..
 
Good defensively so far. Our wingers have been wank though. Especially young. Roon will have a shocker now, he looked frustrated.

Yeah can see Rooney having a bad one now as well. Hopefully Fergie gets his head right before he goes out
 
I missed the goal, was it good?
 
I don't get this "very poor half of football" some people are spouting.

It's been a good performance. We didn't concede, scored a goal and had some good play as well. Far superior to many of our first half displays and some people are still saying its poor.

Admittedly it's not been end to end exciting stuff but it's been solid.
 
Good half, really. Good anticipatory play from our whole team and decent in possession as a whole. Some wasteful stuff at times and, if Evra wasn't so good, we would have no threat whatsoever down the left, but nevertheless a decent result so far.
 
Arsenal can't come back in the second half. They are too tired from last Tuesday. It just can't happen.

La la la la la la la...
 
Wayne's run up is too bent sometimes, he runs at it almost 90 degrees which makes him get right round the ball.

Personally think rvp should be the pen taker from now on.

Valencia needs to run at santos more hes roasted him everytime just needs to be confident
 
Good defensively so far. Our wingers have been wank though. Especially young. Roon will have a shocker now, he looked frustrated.

Both wingers movement has been really good just need a bit better final product.
 
Looks like that 8-2 has really had an effect on them. Seriously, the likes of Fulham and Stoke had more of a go than Arsenal have been doing. We can't even catch them out on the break much since they aren't committing anyone forward.
 
Rooney needs a kick up his arse, his concentration has been rubbish - some of his passes have been embarrassing.

Young is just a mediocre player.
 
Rooney has been pretty damn good at them recently, to be fair.

I haven't checked the records to be honest, but I never felt calm when Rooney steps up. Always felt like he missed too many penalties for a regular penalty taker.

Cue someone posting stats that proves I'm completely wrong.
 
I don't get this "very poor half of football" some people are spouting.

It's been a good performance. We didn't concede, scored a goal and had some good play as well. Far superior to many of our first half displays and some people are still saying its poor.

Admittedly it's not been end to end exciting stuff but it's been solid.

It's a comfortable performance don't get me wrong but i don't feel Fergie would be happy with that half so as fans don't see why we should be either.
 
I think Rooney took that one because of SAF thinking about the opposition getting to RVP.

Not because Rooney is still our penalty taker, because obviously he shouldn't be.
 
I like the idea of Ando coming on for Young and Wayne going wide left, free him of the responsibility of track him Arteta and give that to Ando and I think Wayne will loosen up. Wazza's playing looking over his shoulder and it ain't working well...
 
Wilshere seemed like he could only be arsed to do anything once Cleverley had the ball.. nice little subplot brewing there, remainder of game was boring to watch first half. Rooney was woeful in that half, not really tearing Arsenal apart like we know he can.

Cleverley and the defence have been impressive.
 
Carrick and Cleverley have both had good moments, OK moments and ehhh moments. Hopefully Fergie will sort out the whole team at the break - won't be suprised to see Anderson come on around the 60th minute mark. He would of thrived facing the Arsenal of the 1st half - the space needed attacking.
 
I think it has been a great half for us but it SHOULD have been better with the scoreline, which is what is concerning people.

Arsenal will be made up to be going in only one down, if that is not enough to kick on for them then nothing will be.

Early United goal 2nd half please.
 
Arsenal lucky this half. Wilshere should have been sent off for that challange on Cleverley.
 
I think Rooney took that one because of SAF thinking about the opposition getting to RVP.

Not because Rooney is still our penalty taker, because obviously he shouldn't be.

RVP, Nani and Hernandez have all missed this season, where just going through a bad spell with pens in general
 
Wilshere seemed like he could only be arsed to do anything once Cleverley had the ball.. nice little subplot brewing there, remainder of game was boring to watch first half. Rooney was woeful in that half, not really tearing Arsenal apart like we know he can.

Cleverley and the defence have been impressive.

Noticed that too