UEFA Champions League Update : The victory may have been unspectacular and lacking in excitement, but the 1-0 result that went Manchester United's way in their Champions League Group C clash against Turkish side Bursaspor assumes importance when set against the backdrop of events leading to the match-up at Old Trafford on Wednesday night. iSporter Akshay Iyer reports.
The lead-up talk to the match centred around Wayne Rooney's decision to leave Old Trafford, which was first announced by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson on Tuesday, and then confirmed by the striker himself two hours before the kick-off. Rooney, of course, was ruled out of the match against Bursaspor following an injury in Tuesday's training session.
In itself, the 1-0 win doesn't sit tall, but given the fact that Ferguson's starting line-up included Tomas Kuszczak, Chris Smalling, Rafael and Federico Macheda, this low-key victory was as important as any because now Manchester United is in pole position to qualify for the second round of the Champions League. Ferguson kept the likes of John O'Shea, Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez on the bench as if to make a point that his young guns could cope up well in the post-Rooney era.
Man United made all the early inroads and took the decisive lead in the seventh minute when Nani delivered the empathic finish to a splendid solo effort by curling in a shot from 20 yards out past Bursaspor's goalkeeper Dimitar Ivankov. Nani, who has been the standout player for United so far in the 2010-11 season, only enhanced his growing reputation not only with the match-winner, but also with his splendid runs down the middle and long-range crosses.
Another interesting aspect of United's match against Bursaspor was the willingness of the defenders, especially Nemanja Vidic and Rafael to push up towards the half-line whenever the opportunity presented itself. Rafael was also in stellar form at the back and his pace and agility denied Ali Tandogan the opportunity to get Bursaspor back on even terms.
In the second half, Man United's Patrice Evra made pressing runs down the left flank, and though substitutes Gabriel Obertan and Hernandez squandered two clear chances to put the result of the match beyond doubt, this win coming off disappointing draws in the Barclays Premier League, would be a much-needed morale booster for Ferguson and his players for the sterner tests ahead.
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