Saturday, November 28, 2009

Manchester United Comment: Change Out Wide Is Ober-due

 Manchester United Comment: Change Out Wide Is Ober-due
Summer signing is the ace in the pack for Chelsea clash

The clash of the Premier League heavyweights on Sunday could see some French flair tip the scales in favour of Manchester United.

Gabriel Obertan has excelled in the red shirt since being brought in by Sir Alex Ferguson from Bordeaux this summer. Expressive on the ball and in sync with his team-mates, the 20-year-old has impressed since making his bow against Barnsley a fortnight ago.


United meet Chelsea in the crunch match at Stamford Bridge this weekend. The Scot has a plethora of options available to combat the side rejuvenated by Carlo Ancelotti.

At the forefront of his mind will be the hit-and-miss performance against CSKA Moscow on Tuesday night. Highs and lows were in frequent supply, as United sunk to 3-1 down, before launching a cavalry charge to get back on level footing.

At the forefront of the fightback was Obertan. Brought on with 10 minutes to go, he tricked his way past the Russian rearguard with regularity.

Before his introduction, Nani failed to make any impression from out wide. As usual, he danced his way past his marker before playing a different tune than Michael Owen and Federico Macheda when it came to flinging in the final ball.

Nani fired in United's opener in the Charity Shield clash against Chelsea, but his errant form since hinders his hopes of excelling in the Stamford Bridge pressure cooker where precision cannot be at a premium.


The United supremo knows he will have to combat the Blues' intimidating strength through the middle of the pitch.

One solution is to select a midfield three of Anderson, Darren Fletcher and Ryan Giggs, with Dimitar Berbatov made to plough a lone furrow up front as Wayne Rooney will be moved to the left.

Ferguson has never been scared to attack a weakness in the opposition. As dominant as the hosts are in the centre, space is available out wide.

Jose Bosingwa's injury has stemmed their attacking threat from the right. A forward thinking left winger could be just the ticket to success as less defensive discipline will be needed to combat the rampaging Portuguese.

In to the fray could come Obertan. Whether from the start or as a latecomer he has exhibited the application and inspiration necessary to unsettle the Premier League pacesetters.

United have the chance to strike a blow in the title race and the latest addition to the wide ranks is the man to deliver the knockout shot.

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