Manchester United 3 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0: match report
The champions were two clear by the break. More familiar faces
were soon to the fore. Rooney refused to be complacent about the
probability of victory, constantly urging his team-mates to raise
their game. United needed to stretch the massed ranks of Old Gold
defence, needed their wingers to get behind Wolves full-backs.
Gabriel Obertan initially tried one trick too many but soon went
for the jugular more quickly, laying one ball back to Patrice Evra,
who immediately found Rooney. Turning sharply in the box, Rooney
unleashed a shot that deflected wide. Then Vidic fired over.
United were closing in. On the half-hour, the champions took the
lead. Berbatov won a corner and then ran in to meet Darron Gibson’s
outswinging kick from the flag. As the Bulgarian jumped, Wolves’
defenders George Elokobi and Ronaldo Zubar sought to beat him to
the ball. Zubar clearly handled, gifting United a penalty.
As Rooney stepped up and Marcus Hahnemann steadied himself on
the line, it was impossible not to see it as England v USA and a possible World Cup omen. England prevailed,
Rooney firmly despatching his kick past Hahnemann. Fabio Capello
should consider Rooney now taking responsibility for England
penalty-taking.
Dead-balls were paying off for United. When Gibson then curled
in another excellent corner, Vidic escaped Hill and headed down
powerfully. Hahnemann got his left hand to the ball but it squirmed
over the line.
Halfway through the second period, Vidic was withdrawn by
Ferguson and Darren Fletcher introduced. United’s back-line now
read: Fletcher, De Laet, Carrick and Evra, who assumed the
captaincy.
The force remained with United, the champions scoring a
sensational third goal. Paul Scholes lifted the ball down the
inside-right channel for Berbatov, whose response was inspired. He
hooked the ball over his head into the path of Valencia, whose shot
disappeared in a blur past Hahnemann.
By now, United were queuing up to take shots at Hahnemann’s
goal. Danny Welbeck, who had replaced Obertan, tested the Wolves
keeper. Gibson let fly from 30 yards but lacked his recent
accuracy, the ball sailing over.
Wolves, in fairness, never gave up and threatened occasionally
on the counter. When Matthew Jarvis drilled in a cross from the
left, Fletcher nipped in smartly to clear.
Yet the ball was largely in United’s sway and Rooney looked the
picture of frustration when taken off by Ferguson. Michael Owen
sprinted on but the main source of attacking hope for United was
the excellent Berbatov.
Wolves fans had seen enough, briefly voicing their displeasure
but also chanting McCarthy’s name.
Teams:
Man Utd Kuszczak, De Laet, Carrick, Vidic (Fletcher 60), Evra,
Valencia, Scholes, Gibson, Obertan (Welbeck 70), Berbatov, Rooney
(Owen 75).
Subs Not Used: Foster, Anderson, Park, Fabio Da Silva.
Booked: Gibson.
Goals: Rooney 30 pen, Vidic 43, Valencia 66.
Wolverhampton Hahnemann, Zubar, Mancienne, Elokobi, Hill,
Halford (Jones 76), Foley, Castillo, Friend (Jarvis 61), Surman,
Maierhofer (Iwelumo 54).
Subs Not Used: Hennessey, Henry, Ebanks-Blake, Berra.
Booked: Castillo.
Att: 73,709
Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).
