The Attack
As expected,
Wayne Rooney started and Van Persie was left on the bench, with
Danny Welbeck and
Nani joining him in attack. Unfortunately for United, their top goal scorer last season put in an anonymous display and seemed to be huffing and puffing at times, still some way off match fitness and definitely lacking some of his cutting edge. The England forward's only notable contribution to proceedings came on the half hour mark when Scholes won a free kick on the edge of the area, which he could only shoot straight into Tim Howard's grateful arms.
Welbeck too endured a quiet evening of no particular note, before making way for Robin van Persie after the hour mark whilst
Nani put in an infuriating performance. Sometimes brilliant, capable of producing sensational pile-drivers that beat the goalkeeper all ends up from 30 yards, Nani was wasteful on this occasion, and was booked for petulance in the first half, with his immaturity threatening to come to the boil. He took nearly all eight of United's corner kicks, and each and every time he found the first defender who happily cleared the danger. He was eventually hauled off for Ashley Young, and not a moment too soon either. It is difficult to come up with a star man in United's forward line as they all seemed to struggle, but the
villain this time was definitely
Nani, who needs to improve his game drastically and control his temper by Saturday if he is to feature against Fulham. Van Persie will be expected to make more than just a cameo appearance in that encounter also, and off this performance, United need him now more than ever.