Manchester United took went a full 3 points closer to winning the Barclays Premier League today with a 0-2 away win at the Riverside Stadium.Gareth Southgate couldn’t have been relishing the prospect of playing a Man Utd side getting back into form and getting something towards their Premier League survival. Players like Alves and Tuncay have really struggled to find the net this season for Boro which ultimately could cost them their Premier League status. It is well documented that Stuart Downing has a cultured left boot but can suffer from low confidence. All of these factors meant that the home team conceded most possession to the champions which is too dangerous with the likes of Berbatov and Rooney on the pitch.
Captain Ryan Giggs opened the scoring mid way the first half (25 mins) when the ball ricocheted off of a challenge between the boro defence and Macheda outside of the box. The ball made its way the Welshman who had space to pick his spot with that sweet left foot to get an important early goal.
Wayne Rooney was superb in his less favourite position of left midfield, driving at the Boro defence and cutting inside to open up attacking options. It was Rooney’s cunning through ball that but in South Korean international Ji-Sung Park who emphatically finished past Jones who really had no chance on either of the two goals.
I thought the home team were disappointing today at the Riverside Stadium, there was no massive push to get a goal and the severe lack of confidence dictated the pace of the match because Manchester United kept the ball so much. I also thought that Huth and Wheater battled really well but perhaps would have hoped for more industry and cover in the defensive midfield area. That said, Manchester United are in top form and will now be thinking that they have one hand on the Premier League title 2008/2009.