That was about 1 1/2 years ago and they finished 4th in Serie A (I think). This season they are #2 trailing Inter by a giant margin of 20 points. Still, they are the 2nd best team in Serie A at the moment.
That being said, I was under the impression that the best United could get out of the game was a draw. Without Scholes in United's attack force, nobody can create chances for either Giggs, Rooney or Ronaldo. Moreover, last weekend United lost to Portsmouth with silly mistakes by Ferdinand and Van Der Sar. When the game kicked off, I was thinking there is no way United would be able to go to the last 4 of the Champs League with their current form.
But the Devilz had other ideas. They were out to prove that they are still the best team in England, perhaps in Europe too. Never had I imagine that I would be sitting in front of my tv at 2.45 in the morning, watching one of the best performances United have ever produced so far.
United crushed Roma 7-1. The Devilz got their 7th goal by the 81st minute and at that moment you can see how humiliated the Romans felt. Roma was considered one of the big guns of Europe but somehow played like Negri Sembilan NAZA. Everytime the Romans were attacking, there would be a United player doing some rough tackling. Their attacking force was numb throughout the game.
For me, many of the United players can be considered as Man of the Match. Here's the shortlisted candidates.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo's movements were monitored closely during the first leg of the match. However, this time around the Romans couldn't contain Ronaldo's fast pace and awesome skills as he dazzled not only the Old Trafford crowd but also his performance was so great that the Romans were at awe.
Michael Carrick
I have to admit that I had criticized this dude even before the day he came to the Theatre of Dreams. To me, for an unproven footballer at international level to cost 18 million pounds was a big mistake made by Fergie. However, the mistake is all mine as Carrick matured once he wore the United jersey and has become one of England's future midfielders that's going to replace the likes of Gerrard and Lampard. And in this game he proved that he can play like a superstar at the highest level, scoring 2 magnificent goals from outside the penalty box. Both of the goals were beautiful and my respect for him grew in an instant. IMO, he's now worth more than 25 million pounds, honestly.
Darren Fletcher
I always thought Fletcher would always be on the bench for every United game. I guess his desire to prove that he's on the same level as United's other stars made him an outstanding football player. He may not have scored any of the 7 goals United got nor did he assist any of those goals. But his contribution was so significant throughout the game. He was the one who made important tackles preventing Totti and his colleagues from making a shot or creating chances in front of United's penalty box. I do believe that if Fergie gives Fletcher more playing time, he can become the next Roy Keane.
My Verdict: The Man of the Match Award goes to .......
the Man Utd Defense
I've never seen them play well as a whole. Usually there'll be somebody who's gonna fumble or make a stupid mistake, but this time the whole defense was great. Heinze was at his best, making important tackles and preventing Pizarro from making quality crosses across United's goal. The absense of Nemanja Vidic was not obvious, as I predicted that Wes Brown could not match Vidic's aeriel ability to stop crosses, and mark strikers. I hate to admit but Brown was playing one of his better games. Van Der Sar was not fumbling anymore. Thank god.
All in all, that was one of the best United games I've watched live. Roma was in such a bad shape that even 8tv's commentator said "When your opponent's substitute right back whose actually a left back (Patrice Evra), can score a beautiful goal, that's just sums up your whole performance."
Glory Glory Man United
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