An absolute cracking game which ended up all square and everything to play for in 3 weeks time at Old Trafford.
The game saw Ronaldo play against his old team and his contribution did not disappoint. United's line up saw several key changes. Skipper Vidic did not start as Rio appeared along side Jonny Evans and Danny Welbeck and Kagawa also started in a four pronged attack with RVP and Rooney.
The game saw United keeper De Gea return to his home city and he was called into action straight away when a Coentrao shot was finger tipped onto the post and United avoided the early goal syndrome. Madrid were bossing the game with Khadeira and Ronaldo going close. That was to change on the 20th Minute when a Rooney corner found Welbeck who out muscled Ramos and headed the ball past a stranded Lopez in the Madrid goal.
United confidence grew and the attacking play was causing concern to Madrid and in particular Welbeck was having a fine game in a United shirt. However, the lead was a slender one with Ronaldo going close and a Ozil shot finely saved by De Gea but Madrid equalised and it was a fantastic header from Ronaldo.
Ronaldo met a perfect cross and rose well above Evra and his header was absolutely perfect and gave De Gea no chance. Madrid had pinpointed United full backs as weak spots with the crosses that were put in but United coped and although Rafael got given the runaround he recovered enough in to play well in the second half.
United were clinging on towards the end of the half with Ronaldo fizzing one over the bar and Phil Jones barging Di Maria in the box but thankfully no penalty awarded. De Gea also made a fantastic unorthodox save from Coentrao with his feet at the back post.
Madrid started the second half strongly and Ronaldo testing De Gea and Di Maria with a glorious half volley which went past the post narrowly. United had a chance when a Carrick through ball found Evra on the goal side of Varane who then decided to trip in front of the referee and the verdict PLAY ON!! it could be argued Varane was lucky not to see Red.
With 20 minutes to go there was a mad 60 seconds where United could have scored twice. Rooney had slipped a great ball to RVP who unleashed a shot which Lopez tipped onto the bar and the clearance was cut out by Carrick who found RVP in the box facing Lopez and he guided the ball past him weakly and Xabi Alonso had enough time to clear the ball.
United were beginning to stifel the threat of Madrid but Khadeira had a shot saved well by De Gea, the final seconds of the game saw RVP low shot tipped around the post by Lopez and the game finished 1-1.
A great result and all to play for at Old Trafford.
As for man of the match David De Gea was the man, a top performance and hopefully this will prove the doubters that this lad is special. Also a shout for Danny Welbeck who always plays with his heart and he put in a true warrior performance and his Messi run in the second half deserved a goal.
Next up is an FA cup tie at Old Trafford against Reading.
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