1. United edged Fulham by the odd goal in three in a game that we dominated for long periods but in which the United players had to withstand some late pressure from a fighting Fulham team. This was the eighth match during this season which United won by a single-goal margin, which shows increasing maturity by this United team which is this season turning draws into wins. This characteristic is making the difference in terms of the table and with this win, United have jumped back to the summit of the Premiership with 40 points at the half-way stage of the season.
2. Special mention today for Edinson Cavani. He was impressive again against Fulham and we have no player at the club at this moment who plays the central striker role as efficiently as Cavani. At 33 years of age, it is incredible the amount of running he manages to put in, be it in pressing the opponents’ defenders or in behind the defence to create space. The goal he scored against Fulham was a typical poacher’s goal, the kind that we have been missing since Robin Van Persie wore the United shirt. He knew exactly where he had to be in the event that the Fulham goalkeeper spilled the cross by Fernandes. Areola obliged and the rest seemed to be a foregone conclusion. It was an important goal also after Fulham had taken the lead early on. United have been creating plenty of chances this season, as one would expect with the quality of players like Pogba, Fernandes and Rashford. We were missing that player who could convert clear chances however and I think that in Cavani we have got just that. He has given the whole team a lift because he trains hard, takes care of himself and puts immense effort on the pitch on top of his goal scoring abilities. Cavani is certainly a role model for the youngsters in the team such as Mason Greenwood.
3. Not sure if this is a coincidence – probably not – but the United fans who watch every United match might have noticed that the improvement in results over the last year or so has come simultaneously with the progress in attacking play by our full-backs. Luke Shaw has upped his game since the arrival of Telles at United and deservedly has made the left full back role his. Luke is at the form of his career in a United shirt and his marauding runs forward and good crossing has been a feature in United’s play over the last three months. On the opposite flank, Wan Bissaka has improved markedly in his attacking play. At some instances, he still seems to be fighting with the ball but he is certainly more calm on the ball when getting forward and his crossing has got better and better. During the Fulham match, he delivered four or five crosses of real quality in the box, albeit they weren’t converted by the United forwards. Combination play on the flanks is key in the modern game and is fundamental to stretch defences out of their shape.
Looking forward to receiving your thoughts on the Facebook page. GGMU!
Article contributed by Contributor Roderick. Comments are appreciated on our Facebook page.