United and Marseille Cannot be Seperated at Half-Time

Manchester United and Marseille went into half-time level at 0-0 following a first half of frustration and limited genuine chances.

Sir Alex Ferguson made a number of tweaks to his starting eleven with John O’Shea and Chris Smalling surprising choices in defence. Darron Gibson was handed a role down one of the flanks but Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney were partnered in the attack of the side.

The game started with a real pace and venom as both sides raced around the pitch. Remy had the first half chance of the game after a ball was whipped in from the left. However, Remy leant back on his shot and the ball went well over.

United responded well and race up to the other end of the pitch inside the first couple of minutes. Evra knocked a good ball into Rooney who passed to Berbatov. The Bulgarian rolled the ball to Nani who was racing towards goal but sent the ball into row z.

The first real chance of the game fell to Darren Fletcher. United had a free kick just outside the Marseille penalty area inside the 9th minute. Gibson’s shot was deflected and the ball fell to Fletcher who smashed towards the target but Mandanda got down well to save.

Marseille crafted a good chance as the match approached the 20 minute point. Heinze raced down the left with United players reluctant to challenge their former teammate. Heinze whipped a ball into the United penalty area but John O’Shea did well to make a great headed clearance from a dangerous position.

United missed a great chance to get in behind the Marseille defence when O’Shea totally misread a Rooney pass across the length of the field. Had the full back picked up the pass earlier then Nani was waiting to cross to someone inside the box.

Nani was cutting a very frustrating figure as he wasted a good situation with his team on a 27th minute counter attack. Nani tried an elaborate trick near the end of the area before slipping, he picked himself up only to pass to a Marseille defender instead of the waiting Berbatov.

Brandao had a decent half chance on the half an hour mark with an improvised scissor kick that didn’t go quite as well as planned. Heinze’s ball into the forward was awkward but he twisted well to get something on the ball before Van Der Saar gathered with ease.

Both sides continued their midfield battle as half-time approached and came still with no clear cut chances in the match. United are a best price of 2/1 to win, Marseille are 13/5 and the draw is 6/4.