Manchester United Comfortable After Hernandez Goal

Javier Hernandez gave Manchester United a first half lead in a match they have controlled from the first whistle.

Sir Alex Ferguson made a number of surprising changes to his team. None more so was the inclusion of winger Nani who was not expected to be fit for at least another two weeks after a gashed leg against Liverpool. The defensive pairing of Wes Brown and Chris Smalling started in central defence and Javier Hernandez played instead of Dimitar Berbatov in attack.

United started the slightly better of the two teams and nearly forced a great chance inside three minutes. A long ball from Giggs found its way to Nani on the right who played the ball across the edge of the penalty area. Wayne Rooney was ready to pull the trigger before a defender got in the way.

The lead did not take long to arrive and it was Javier Hernandez who tapped the ball in from close range on five minutes. Giggs played Rooney in from the left and the striker slid the ball across the face of goal giving Hernandez one of the easiest goals he’ll ever score.

Marseille should have equalised as the match hit the ten minute point. A ball was floated over the top of the United defence, Brown and Smalling stepped up but left Gignac onside who put his effort well over the crossbar.

The next good attacking situation didn’t come until the 18th minute. Giggs was given far too much space just outside the box and tried to dink a ball through to Hernandez. Just as the Mexican was about to take the ball down and shoot a defender kicked the ball clear.

United looked in full control and Hernandez had another half chance on 25 minutes. Rooney ran into space and whipped in a cross with no one out on the right to assist. Hernandez jumped up well and arched his beck to get power on a header which went straight into the goalkeeper’s arms.

The home side were pressing hard with every available opportunity. Nani was showing no signs of his recent injury and sent a weak shot towards goal on the half an hour mark. With the goalkeeper scrambling across goal, a more solid shot could have flown in.

Marseille had a rare chance to pile on some pressure inside the 34th minute. A free kick just outside the United penalty area wide on the left of the pitch allowed the French team to cram men into the box. However, Lucho went for a shot and sent the ball high over the bar.

Marseille’s best chance of the half came as the end of the first half approached. A superb cross into the box from Taiwo on the left found Dawara who made a superb run and met the ball full on. He sent his header wide of the left hand post with the goal gaping and Van Der Saar helpless.