So with Mata making his eagely awaited debut and the return from injury for both Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney, it was Mata and the Dutchman Van Persie who Moyes opted to start up front with this evening with Rooney having to make do with a place on the bench following his return from injury. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer making his return to Old trafford where he became a true legend in his playing days scoring a dramtic winner in the 1999 Champions League final for United. The Nowegian had hoped to take something away from this tie in a desperate bid to try and save the Bluebirds from relegation this season. Solskjaer recieved a warm welcome back to where he spent his playing days as a prolific striker but was ultimately denied a fairytale return when only after six mintues into the game Van persie pounced to put United ahead at the second attempt, Mata knocked the ball wide to the left from deep which saw Ashley Young cross the ball into the box only for Valencia to head onto the bar from close in allowing Van persie to follow up and convert a close range header following a save from Cardiff’s goalkeeper David Marshall to deny the striker the first time round. Juan Mata wearing the number eight shirt was given the free role which he prefers playing a little behind Van Persie, allowing him to link up play and try and feed the United front man, a role which Mata played some of his best football for Chelsea over the last couple of seasons. But as the teams approached half time the original spark in beginning of the first half was fading as Cardiff began to come into the game more and more without actually threatening Manchester United goal too much. Mata almost gave Young the chance to double the lead before the interval with teasing deep cross which the winger failed by inches to connect with, moments before Van Persie shot just wide from a tight angel. Juan Mata was also responsible for another chance that went begging in the first 45minutes when sending a free kick into Cardiffs danger zone only for Johnny Evans to head narrowly wide.
The teams came out from the half time interval with Cardiff City looking dangerous and threatening on the counter attack with Craig Noone looking to take the game to the hosts and Mark Hudson forcing De Gea in the United goal to make a save from a Cardiff corner, then from out of the blue just prior to the hour mark in the game Ashely Young let fire with a low drive from just outside the box to make it 2-0 and gave United a comfortable remaining 30minutes of the game to see out. David Moyes’ team also welcomed back Wayne Rooney tonight who in the 63rd minute replaced Van Persie up front making his first appearance for United since New Years day following a groin injury. Rooney looked lively, and Moyes, who has been without either of his original strikers for much of this year so far must have been encouraged with signs of things to come, as Rooney who like Van Persie prior to being replaced, linked up well with Mata and the England striker almost added to the score sheet tonight with an attempt at a cheeky lob over Bluebird Keeper David Marshall. The Cardiff shot stopper did well to keep the game at 2-0 and came to Cardiffs defence a few times tonight, none more so than when he was called upon to tip a shot onto the post from United winger Valencia following a United attack.
Juan Matas debut following his £37.1 million transfer came to an end with 6minutes remaining when David Moyes replaced the playmaker with Janusaj, Mata left the field to a standing ovation by the home crowd, whos debut could be a turning point in David Moyes first season in charge. If Juan Mata settles in as quickly as he appears he will, and with both strikers Rooney and R.V.P returning to fitness David Moyes will be looking to make up lost ground on a top four spot and try and secure Champions League football next season.
Written by W.Cutmore.
