JANUZAJ GETS THE JOB DONE
NO, this is not the most thrilling Manchester United team of recent years; but it is getting the job done. Two wins in a week, both by the most slender margin, with no goals conceded. Not vintage, but there are plenty out there who would have settled for it.
Aston Villa were poor in the first half, better in the second, but United had them at arm’s length, either way.
It was a Belgian who did the damage here — Adnan Januzaj with the 29th- minute winner, having received a rare start in a league game, and in a forward role, too. He played behind Wayne Rooney after impressing Louis van Gaal in training this week, although some cynics would suggest it was a ploy to put him in the shop window with the arrival of Barcelona’s Pedro imminent.
It would be a pity, though, if United could not find room for such a bright talent in their squad. Why should Januzaj have to go to Sunderland to get a game? He more than justified his inclusion here, with a goal and a lively firsthalf performance, even if van Gaal withdrew him to shore the midfield up with Ander Herrera on the hour.
Once Januzaj was off, United threatened less with Wayne Rooney still looking curiously ineffectual in his striking role. With an hour gone, he still had not touched the ball in the opposing penalty area, and most of United’s threat came from his supporting forwards, most particularly Januzaj and Memphis Depay.
Perhaps that is Rooney’s fate now; although, if so, it seems one hell of a waste.
Villa’s gameplan became clear early on — frustrate their opponents and look to sneak out with a point, if not all three. By clearing the danger at the first attempt with long balls up field, Tim Sherwood’s men were quick to concede possession but just as quick in closing their opponents down which resulted in some errors in the United defence.
When Villa did have the ball away from Brad Guzan’s goal, they looked to play a short, passing game which Sherwood has always looked to implement.
Morgan Scheneiderlin had the first chance f or United on 15 minutes. Depay’s whipped freekick evaded everyone in the Villa box, and with no one picking up the Frenchman at the back post, he had an unchallenged effort at goal. He could only knock it wide.
On the half-hour mark, they got their reward. Spanish attacker Juan Mata played a delightful ball, cutting open the Villa defence and picking out Januzaj just inside the penalty area. Micah Richards was quick to get over and give the little Belgian no time to pick his spot, but the starlet turned inside the Villa captain and aimed aimed his shot towards Guzan’s far corner.
The effort did take a deflection on its way in, giving Januzaj his first league goal since April 2014.
Villa began the second half on the front foot, keeping a hold of the ball in good areas and working a clever chance f or Jordan Ayew, who managed to turn his marker only to skewer his effort over the bar.
Van Gaal made two substitutions on the hour, Januzaj and Michael Carrick going off to be replaced by Ander Herrera and Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Mata, the star of the show, went close on 72 minutes, his wonderful pass after stealing possession in midfield found Depay on the edge of the Villa area. The Dutch winger could only drag his shot wide.
The final 10 minutes dawned, Sherwood going for broke, brought on Carlos Sanchez for Veretout.
It proved to be too little, too late as United slipped away with three points, but van Gaal will know there is still work to do.