MANUTD FOCUS - Five key points from Manutd win against Spurs

FIVE KEY POINTS FROM MANUTD WIN AGAINST TOTTENHAM                      

BY ODIKO GODWIN

DARMIAN SEEM TO BE THE MAN: The Italian summer signing looked sharp both in defense and going forward in energy –sapping conditions during Saturday’s 1-0 opening – day Barclays premier league win at Old Trafford.

Having already caught the eye during the reds’ pre – season tour of the United States, the right back continued where he left off and earned a standing ovation when he was replaced by Antonio Valencia with 10 minutes remaining.

Even manager Louis van Gaal couldn’t hide his admiration for his performance as he said: “I liked the performance of Darmain. He played a good match in the spurs half and when the opponents had the ball. I think he was our best player.”

For someone making his debut in the premier league, he was so organized in defence: something we have been lacking in Valencia and even Rafeal. His level of awareness was also superb and he seems to have clicked with his defensive partners perfectly.

LVG HAS’NT GOTTEN HIS PERFECT MIDFIELD LINEUP : Morgan Schneiderlin was a little bit nervy at the start, and seems to lack composure but later picked up well towards the end of the match. His pairing with Carrick at the start looks fantastic on paper, but both seems to lack understanding sometimes as they couldn’t co- ordinate the midfield well enough allowing the spurs early rampage on our half and domination. When Bastian Schweinsteiger was showned warming up, I taught he was going to replace Memphis Depay in the attacking midfield role and allow Carrick and Schneiderlin to continue with their learning process as they were getting to read the game well during the second period. As we travel to Aston villa next week, I would be expecting the boss to have gotten a clearer picture of the midfield partnership that will wreck havoc on oppositions this season.

DEPAY CAN’T FIT INTO THE ATTACKING MIDFIELD ROLE :

Depay was played in the creative midfield role as I will call it,instead of Juan or even Rooney who had made that role his own since the time of Sir Alex. I understand perfectly that LVG has stated that he wants Rooney to be his main striker this season, but not with the support of a player like Depay who seems to be excellent when played on the left flank where he can cut in to shoot with his favorite right foot or even in the striker role which he featured often last season at Psv and ended up the Eredivise top scorer. What I would want to see the Boss play next week against Villa is Rooney upfront with Mata or Bastian behind him, flanked with Depay to the left and the impressive Young to the right.

SMALLING LOOKS SHARPER AND BETTER :

Chris smalling was just the perfect leader at the back as expected of him, when he made that move from fulham five years ago. His absolute composure at the back was commendable and he was just present all over, making it almost unbearable for Harry Kane to get his foot in on the ball. If he continues in this form, then I think we might just have gotten our replacement for Ferdinand and a good partner to compliment that will be all that LVG should seek before the transfer window closes.

WITH ROMERO WE WON’T MISS DE’GEA THAT MUCH :

The 28- year old Argentina international had a quiet start to life in England but any nerves were settled by racing off his goalline to make an excellent block from Kyle Walker minutes before the Spurs right – back put through his own net. The ex –Sampdoria shot –stopper took evasive actions when necessary to prevent Spurs attacks and looked a safe pair of hands in goal. If he can acclamtise quickly enough with the rigours of the EPL, then wemight just have gotten a perfect replacement for Madrid bound David De’gea.