Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 v 1 Manchester United Molineux, Wolverhampton
29th January 2006
Manchester United's hopes of using Cristiano in a match before the big game against Blackburn on Wedsnesday may have taken a knock, as the Portuguese superstar did on Thursday, but thankfully United were never stretched, and won with ease.
Cristiano was hit on the left knee in Thursday's training, but is on his way to a full recovery, and United need him back, if only to make up the numbers in midfield. Instead we had a defender and a striker playing the central-midfield partnership, with Smith, Feltcher and Park recently returning o fitness but given a break in order to ensure their fitness is long-lasting.
The game as a contest was effectively over as soon as the fourth minute, when Saha's burst of pace saw him past the Wolves defence and cross the ball. It was met by Richardson at the back-post who was able to guide the ball into the back of the net through a crowded box.
The tally was doubled by Saha in the last minute of the first-half, with debutant Vidic booting the ball forwards for the Frenchman to run onto. A neat chest and volley past the keeper saw Louis keep up his good run of goalscoring form.
Rio and Rooney were running the midfield, whilst Wolves had nothing. It was little wonder then, that United grabbed their third, with Park working well down the right to give the ball to van Nistelrooy, who appeared to have acres of space and time to get his ball to Richardson perfect. It was, and Richardson was again in the right-place at the right time to nod easily home.
United were given a scare when Carl Cort missed from close-range when it would have been easier to score, but were unlucky not to add to their goals, with Rooney and Ruud both going close.
