I’ve just finished watching the replay of last night’s match against Roma which we won 3-2 and, yet again, I have to say how much better we’re looking already.
To be fair, Roma can probably consider themselves a little unlucky to have lost the game. For long periods of this match, they were the better team and played the better football. Certainly for the first ten minutes or so, I thought we’d be in for a very tough match as Roma came flying out of the blocks to set a pace it looked like we might not be able to deal with.
However, a rocket from Rooney and a sublime bit of Mata magic had us 2-0 up almost out of nowhere.
Rooney’s goal was excellent and like the Rooney of old as he created a bit of space for himself just outside the penalty area before unleashing a reversed shot into the top right-hand corner which gave the keeper no chance.
Minutes later, he played a fifty yard pass which Mata plucked out of the air with one touch before dinking it over the advancing keeper with his second touch.
It was an astonishing piece of skill and whilst some of Rooney’s first touches were heavy (like they were for much of last season), Mata’s touch is spot on and he looks ready to go for the new season.
A few minutes later, the score was 3-0 as we were awarded a penalty which Rooney duly dispatched.
That’s the way it stayed until around the 70th minute and it seemed harsh on Roma who were nowhere near as outclassed as a 3-0 scoreline might suggest.
Obviously wanting to take a good look at all the players in the squad, Van Gaal had started the match with Sam Johnstone in goal but Ben Amos came on for the second half and, as much as I hate to say it, neither keeper really covered themselves in glory here.
Some of Johnstone’s distribution was poor and put our players under unnecessary pressure but Amos will be the one having a few nightmares following this match.
Around the 70th minute, Roma’s Pjanic launched the ball towards our goal from well within his own half and scored.
Beckham did something similar and we’ve been purring over it for twenty years but on this occasion, it really is hard to understand how Amos managed to be beaten from such a distance.
For reasons best known to himself, he was a long way from his goal and was unable to get back in time to prevent the ball from sailing over his outstretched arm and into the net.
With De Gea and Lindegaard our two main goalkeepers, these two keepers really do need to be taking advantage of every opportunity but, on this evidence, Anders and Dave can probably rest easy.
Amos has been with United since he was eleven years old but he’s no longer a young rookie – at 24 years of age, he’s actually older than De Gea.
Anyway, a little while later, Roma were also awarded a penalty which the seemingly ageless Totti converted to make it 3-2 and that’s how it stayed.
It was a win but it could and probably should have been more convincing.
However, Van Gaal once again made a ton of changes and several of the youngsters also got a run out including Jesse Lingard and Will Keane.
Herrera also played the first half but wasn’t as effective against this better opposition as he was against LA Galaxy a few days ago.
What’s most interesting is how Van Gaal is getting players to play in positions they’re not accustomed to playing in.
For example, Ashley Young found himself at left-back in this one and Nani once again found himself in a more central role just behind the strikers.
Van Gaal really does seem to be doing it all his own way and will not have his view of players influenced by how Fergie or Moyes played them in the past.
So… we roll on and next up is Inter Milan. Can LvG make it three from three?