Manchester United match review

By: j | August 17th, 2008

What can you say other than todays 1-1 draw with Manchester United was an incredibly uplifting match for the Toon Army. Kevin Keegan’s plan was put in place perfectly and the youthful line-up out-performed the defending champions with pride, heart and soul.

Man Utd were certainly at a disadvantage with many absences including a surprise scratch of Carlos Tevez, who was attending to a loss in his family in Argentina, however none of that takes away from spoiling the start of the Red Devils campaign at Old Trafford. After a lightning fast start in both directions, Newcastle took the lead at the twenty-second minute mark with Obafemi Martins heading a James Milner corner to the back of the net. Only two minutes later Darren Fletcher re-directed a Ryan Giggs shut past Shay Given to bring the match level at one, where it ended.

The new Argentine signings, Fabricio Coloccini and Jonás Gutiérrez showed themselves extremely well as did Shay Given, however there is no need to specifically mention each player individually as they all had superb matches and more importantly functioned together as a unit in the heat of competition. However as a special note I want to mention Danny Guthrie and James Milner. I’ve been watching both of them for years now, waiting for both of them to get the opportunity to shine in the Premier League. They played tremendously, Danny was Kevin Keegan’s, “man of the match” and I am confident that their time has finally come. While I prefer to maintain a level of unbiased commentary, there is a tremendous young talent in England and I’m hopeful to see them and others given a opportunity for the Three Lions.

Kevin Keegan commented after the match:”Newcastle fans will go away saying how they witnessed a team playing for the supporters, playing for the badge, playing for the club - and that’s what they deserve.” Said perfectly, thats what a young lineup, with something to prove, showed today.

Brimming with confidence and a resolve to continue todays effort, Newcastle readies to host Bolton next week.

Match details
Newcastle
1 Shay Given.27 Steven Taylor,21 Habib Beye,2 Fabricio Coloccini,11 Damien Duff,22 Nicky Butt,8 Danny Guthrie,14 Charles N’Zogbia,16 James Milner,18 Jonás Gutiérrez,9 Obafemi Martins
Subs Not Used: Steve Harper, José Enrique, Sébastien Bassong, Alan Smith, Geremi, David Edgar, Ryan Donaldson.

Man Utd
1 Edwin Van der Sar, 5 Rio Ferdinand ,3 Patrice Evra, 6 Wes Brown,15 Nemanja Vidic,18 Paul Scholes, 16 Michael Carrick,24 Darren Fletcher, 11 Ryan Giggs, 10 Wayne Rooney,31 Fraizer Campbell
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Neville, Evans, Gibson.