Anderson And Cleverley Stunners Sees United Thru

Manchester United 2 - Newcastle 1
Scorers
Manchester United: Anderson (44), Cleverley (58)
Newcastle: Cisse (61)

Team: De Gea, M. Keane, Wootton, Vermiji (Turnnicliffe 76), Buttner (Brady 86), Fletcher, Anderson, Cleverley, Welbeck, Rooney (Powell 76), Hernandez

I'm usually not a fan of our midfield, but today I am. With Fletcher leading the pack with his first start after a long absence, our midfield was almost fantastic. Ando and Cleverley has always been my preferred pairing and today both got on the scoresheet with absolute belters.

For once without the static Carrick holding play back, there was movement and urgency in the centre of the park. With the help of Rooney and Welbeck playing deep, we were creating chances and looked significantly more dangerous going forward.

We did look vulnerable at the back especially during Newcastle set-pieces, but both Michael Keane and Wootton held their own well. With Vidic, Smalling and Jones out for an extended amount of time, Ferguson seems to have viable options. Whether he uses them or not is another question altogether. For what it's worth, they both got valuable play time today.

The stand out youngster today however was the young Belgian, Vermiji. His delivery into the box from the right wing back position was delicious. It was unfortunate that most of the time he whipped in those delightful balls, no one was at the end of it.

I'd be surprised in the weeks to come, Ferguson keeps faith in Carrick. Fletcher, Ando and Cleverley are all knocking on the door and should really be given the opportunity to play over Carrick, Giggs and Scholes. The Ando-Cleverley pairing would be a godsend. When together, both are hungry and mobile. Mpre importantly, neither will have an elder statesman along side them which they would feel obligated to defer to.

Can't wait for the weekend to come. If Spurs play anywhere near what they are capable of, they are going to knock our socks off. Maybe then, Ferguson will start changing the midfield.

Trivia: Ryan Turnnicliffe was substituted into the game at 76th minute. His father placed a 100 pound bet on his son making the first team of Manchester United 10 years ago at a 100-1. Today, the elder Turnnicliffe walks away 10,000 pounds richer.