Talking Points Pt. 1 Manchester United 2 - 1 Stoke
Manchester United deserved to win this game, but didn’t control it very well - and without De Gea’s instinctive saves in the last 2 minutes of extra time - we’d be talking about a different United. Comparisons with David Moyes’ team with an inability to protect leads would fly, but these little detail matter. The truth is United should have been up by more, but they didn’t take all their chances.
This was a good win for United, but the passing was still slow, and they managed to allow Stoke to have decent possession of the ball. Credit to Mark Hughes for making Stokes a less one-dimensional side. Having Bojan helps, but in this game United’s quality told.
Went from being reliable at the back to Extremely reliable - saving United valuable points and maintaining the team's momentum
The Good
Herrera is making a strong case for staying in United’s Best XI
Even with the return of Di Maria and Rooney. How he fits in is another question, but in this game he played as the no. 10, behind Van Persie and James Wilson, pushing Mata to the wide left of the diamond. Mata and Herrera would go on to interchange positions frequently throughout the game, but it was clear that for most of the game Herrera occupied the central position. This seemed to pay off, with Herrera doing a great job of Rooney-esque tracking all around the pitch as well as contributing well offensively. His defensive work-rate is excellent, starting a great move on the 75th minute when he disposes a Stoke player in the opponent’s half and feeds a slide rule pass to Fellaini’s run into the box on the right, which rockets off target.
Herrera proved his United ambitions with a crackling all-around display lacking a goal
His assist for United’s first goal was encouraging. In the build-up to the play, United passed the ball around and overloaded the left side, with Young, Mata and Herrera high up the pitch. The move picked up with Mata and Herrera linking with quick tempo on the left. With Herrera moving into no-man’s zone on the wide left, he knew exactly where he was launching the ball without even looking up. His cross to Fellaini at the far post was a high, looping ball that United are bound to see more of whenever the big Belgium international in the team. It’s not necessarily a bad option, but more on that later. There was also a great delivery from Herrera into the box on the 62nd minute,
Still, his finishing could improve - Van Gaal will expect goals from whoever plays in the hole behind the strikers. Van Persie set Herrera up with lovely chances on either side of the half inside the penalty box, neither leading to a shot forcing Begovic into a save. Still, he’s proving to be a real Manchester United-style player, as Phil Neville said during the game
“He’s a technical player who plays many positions [across the pitch]”
Smalling’s Recovery
Chris Smalling played this game at the center of defense as if he’s been playing this role all his life. It’s great to see Smalling put in a clinical shift and LVG’s faith in the defender is paying off, big time. In this game especially, Smalling put behind the header that cost United the title in 2012: with City’s Vincent Company heading over Smalling in injury time of the 1st half. City went on to win 1-0, and the title after that.
Smalling’s heading ability in this game proved he can be United’s Rio Ferdinand of old. One of the highlights was his great header on the 84th minute - a powerful drive into the box that he redirected behind him out for a throw-in and away from the incoming Diouf. He’s clearly under instructions from LVG to stick tightly to defenders, coming out of defense quickly to snuff out any counter-attacks. At the same time Smalling has the pace and athleticism to be the last man in defense - he was tasked with defending against former-teammate Danny Welbeck against Arsenal a few games ago and has continued his fine of run of form here. Smalling dribbled the ball into the opposition box on the 65th minute, given his recent record, one could’ve forgiven him for having a crack at goal!
Carrick’s Return to Fitness
United have missed Carrick’s presence in midfield. He anchors the defense with confidence and ease, although he lacks the ability to carry the ball out of midfield. His pinpoint long balls have mostly targeted Van Persie - but what would enhance Carrick’s game are more penetrative passes out to wingers - similar to Paul Scholes or Toni Kroos, at one point or another a transfer target. He was marked tightly by Diouf and others during the game, limiting his influence, but he still put in a good shift. He’s played well, if within himself, since his return to the team, but if he can remain injury free (he usually is), he’ll improve as his team solidifies around him.
Not quite filling in Scholes' shoes, but a calm presence in front of United's backline