Archive for September, 2011
VIDEO: Goals & Highlights from Man Utd 3-1 Chelsea
Chalkboards: De Gea’s impressive distribution is vital to Man Utd
De Gea the Sweeper Keeper
After last night’s 1-1 stalemate against Benfica, Sir Alex Ferguson was quite adamant that David De Gea would play against Chelsea and looking at the Spanish keeper’s chalkboards, it is easy to see why.
De Gea’s distribution and ability on the ball is absolutely vital to Manchester United’s defensive and build-up play. What’s more, is that the former Atletico keeper seems to have grown in confidence with every passing match and the numbers appear to back up that observation.
In his premier league debut against West Brom, David De Gea attempted only 30 passes and completed 14 of them for a pass completion rate of 47%. While a strong indicator of his team mates still getting used to him is that he only received 9 passes throughout the match.
These seemingly average numbers have improved in each subsequent match and by the time the Red Devils were done spanking Bolton 0-5 at the Reebok, De Gea’s numbers read 57 passes attempted, 44 completed, Pass Completion Rate: 78%. Numbers of passes received: A whopping 34 compared to his counterpart, Jussi Jaaskelainen, who received a paltry 5 passes all game.
What these numbers tell us is that the Manchester United goalkeeper plays a vital part in both the defensive and build-up phases of play and that the keeper functions as a quasi sweeper. He’s an additional defender, not only able to receive the ball in order to minimize losing possession, but also tasked to play the ball out of defence intelligently. Compare De Gea’s passing to his counterparts and you can see that he doesn’t just hoof it up front, but plays it (accurately) to his team mates in central and wide areas.
In the first 4 premier league matches of this campaign, De Gea completed a total of 47 passes more than his counterparts while only misplacing 5 passes more than the opposite keeper.
Total Passes attemted | succesful | unsuccesful
DDG 168 111 57 rest = 116 64 52
David De Gea also received the ball a total of 83 times while his counterparts received a total of 25 passes in 4 matches. That’s less than De Gea received in the match against Bolton.
Oh, and the next time a Gooner tells you about their patient build-up play, point them to the chalkboards comparing De Gea’s and Szczasny’s passing.
VIDEO: Ryan Giggs’ goal Benfica 1-1 Man Utd
He shag who he wants
Ryan Giggs broke his own record to establish himself once again as the oldest goalscorer in the Champions League. Giggsy has also scored in the Champions League in more seasons than any other player. Well done, Sir Ryan Giggs!
szólj hozzá: Ben 1-1 Man
PHOTO: Inside Man Utd’s Academy Classroom
Enjoy 
PHOTOS: Reds Run Riot at the Reebok
VIDEO: Goals Bolton 0-5 Man Utd
Reds romp to 5-star victory
Tom Cleverley’s injuy was the only negative from a superior Manchester United performance.
Kevin Davies is a disgusting cunt.
szólj hozzá: Bol 0-5 Man U
VIDEO: Ashley Young interview with 5 mag
New Man Utd Winger kicks ball into wheely bin
Man Utd to scout Mateo Kovacic and Mario Situm
Reds run rule over Croatian pair
Croatian Manchester United fan CRO_oney will be particularly happy to hear that Manchester United will be sending their Balkan scout to watch Matteo Kovacic. The long time supporter of the Red Devils had alerted me to Kovacic’s talent and I had jokingly sent a tweet to Man Utd’s Nick Coppack ascking him to pass it on to United’s scouting department. I’m not saying for one minute that it resulted in the player being scouted. i’m just sharing the coincidence.
Manchester United are on the trail of Croatian teenage starlets Mateo Kovacic and Mario Situm and will have them watched this weekend.
United’s Balkan scout will be in attendance at the Stadion Poljud in Split when the young duo line up for Dinamo Zagreb in one of the hottest rivalries in European football against Hajduk Split.
VIDEO: All of Man Utd’s goals so far this season
Reds score 16 times in 4 games
Yes, Manchester United have only played 3 league games since the Community Shield victory over Man City so far this season, but there have been enough goals to warrant a small compilation couresy of @w0rkbench
http://thefutblog.info/2011/09/07/manchester-united-goals-so-far-this-season/
