FT: United did the job and got the win. On to Wembley now and Everton, who have been thrashed by Pool today. And they may have no CBs available with Funes Mori suspended and Stones possibly injured, along with Jags currently on the shelf himself.
Anyone else think that Antonio Valencia had a great game today? He was very lively and made some great runs down the right hand side. Shame he didn't have any support in the first half.
Been pretty happy with Valencia's play since his return: he wasn't really challenged defensively but he hardly put a foot wrong, especially going forward. If he can keep this form going until the end of the season, I have no issues seeing him on the pitch for us. Good game from him today. Thought Rooney was good in the role he had today, but having a guy like Rashford up top does make a huge difference: even in games where he doesn't score, he's a nuisance to opposing backlines and opens things up for other players.
Van Gaal's verdict on Palace victory Louis van Gaal was “very happy” with Manchester United’s performance in the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, which closed the gap on top-four rivals Arsenal and Manchester City in the Barclays Premier League. Here are the main points from the manager’s MUTV interview… PLEASED WITH THE PERFORMANCE “Yes I was very happy with the performance and I think it was a four or five to zero game. We should have finished it much earlier and scored much more goals. We created a lot of chances and we did not give any chances away – one, maybe, in the first half for Adebayor.” EARLY GOAL SETTLED EVERYBODY “Yes it helps of course and also such a goal [for the second]. I was very happy for Matteo [Darmian], two times he was involved in the goals and I have seen it already in the training session. He was the top scorer of the day on Monday and he did it again in the match. He shot with his left and right foot, and now he shot for his goal with his left foot.” PRESSURE ON TOP-FOUR RIVALS “Of course we are in the race and we are two points behind City and Arsenal [who are one point ahead of United] have to play tomorrow [Thursday] against West Bromwich Albion. It is not an easy opponent because they will defend, probably, and it is always difficult. You have seen Arsenal against Crystal Palace – it is always difficult.” SEMI-FINAL SELECTION HEADACHE? “Selection is not so difficult because you are following what you see, what your philosophy is, what the game plan is. Now you have to convince the players why you select that way. That is much more important." EXCITED FOR WEMBLEY “Of course the semi-final is not nothing. I came to England to win titles and now are very close. But first we have to beat Everton and that is not so easy. Also when they have lost to Liverpool 4-0, with 10 men it is difficult against Liverpool I think [Ramiero Funes Mori was sent off].”
The link up play was the best we saw this year. Final third again an issue, but we moved ball quicker, it was good to see. I wonder how many passes were completed.
The midfield we played today would get throttled versus better teams, but it was at least encouraging that LvG recognizes that Rooney has nothing to offer playing in the front 3. As a part of a midfield 3, his lack of mobility can be hidden a bit. I'd still much rather have Herrera in his position, but if we're forced to have him in the 11 then this is the place where he fits in best.
He was better than he usually is offensively and had no defensive work at all to do. Our flanks were quite productive today. A nice mix of some incision and some good creative attacking inter-play. Overall a good performance. Palace were dreadful though.
Valencia had a decent game whenever he was direct and took the lanes that Palace gave him. He won't get that space against better teams. When the lanes weren't open, he returned to his usual routine of doing head fakes in front of the defender before crossing right into him. Technically Valencia is just so limited.
Valencia is fairly limited but except for West Ham and to a certain degree Leicester (who will be weakened if Vardy is suspended), we're playing against team he should be able to handle reasonably defensively. And if he continues showing the same of from and verve offensively he has since his return, he's at least an option that Van Gaal can consider. The same goes with Rooney in his deeper, more withdrawn role. Palace made things fairly easy for us today, but the guys have throne what they needed to do for the most part. And while today's performance was far from perfect, it was a step on the right direction.