The afternoon then saw players granted licence to stretch their legs in the form of an 11 a side full pitch game. During this time the fullbacks Clichy, Kolarov, Richards et al bombed forward at every opportunity for an overlap. This suggests a confidence in both their attacking capabilities coupled with trust in the midfielders and centre backs to cover if possession was lost and gaps exploited.
Finally a more intense half pitch affair was played. Obviously simulating tight situations for both defenders and attackers, something which United’s pressing game will undoubtedly cause. The game had an added irregularity with young Ivorian Abdul Razak literally going both ways, joining whoever had possession. The highlight though was a James Milner thunderbolt from range (relative to the half pitch), which fizzed into the net after the assured beating of Toure and McGivern.
Team morale seemed high ahead of the showpiece derby at Wembley. An incident during which goal draught victim Kompany lashed one into the top corner past the flailing Joe Hart, sparked much good humoured gloating as well as a roar from the thousands at the ‘Ethiad’.
Ultimately the session was an entertaining success despite its deviation from the previous two annual sessions, which were comprised mainly of short matches. A warm reception for the players at the end of the session proved a catalyst for autograph signing from the likes of Kompany, Richards and fan favourite Shaun Wright-Phillips.
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