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With less than 90 seconds to go in the first half, debutant Marouane Fellaini attempted a cheeky pass towards the left wing intended for the charging Patrice Evra. Denver Nuggets Shirts . The ball, however, was under hit and Bayer Leverkusen started a quick counter attack from their own half. It was the exact situation that their manager Sami Hyypia would have drawn up, an opportunity on a transition to open up United, but seconds after the giveaway, Fellaini stepped into Sidney Sam and immediately won the ball back, fairly, and with so much force that the German fell to the ground. Thirteen seconds later, Shinji Kagawas effort on goal deflected wide for a corner, after Manchester United, not their opponents, triggered a counter attack immediately in a transition, thanks to the strength and positioning of Fellaini. Welcome to the Champions League, where midfield superiority and clinical transitions are vital to success. Welcome also to the Champions League group stage, Fellaini and his manager David Moyes, who both came away from Manchester Uniteds 4-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday night with top marks. Moyes had spent much of Mondays press conference deflecting questions about his lack of experience at this level and, when he finished talking, he went about setting up a team he felt were built to play at the highest level of club football. Chris Smalling, for Fabio at right back, Fellaini, for Anderson in midfield, and Kagawa, for Ashley Young on the left, were the three changes from Saturdays win against Crystal Palace and all three made a significant difference to Uniteds identity. Smalling is a very good defender in a 1×1 situation and with Antonio Valencia playing ahead of him, with a flexible, less rigid, front three, there was little need for him to get forward often. In big games he should play this role more for both club and country. Kagawa was deployed on the left of midfield but did not spend the match hogging the touchline. His first start of the season lasted 70 minutes and it was clear United had missed his brain in the first month of the campaign. His tactical understanding meant he could interchange with Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie in attack, as both forwards enjoy moving to the flanks, while dropping deep to help on the left defensively when not in possession. His performance was influenced in part by Fellaini, as were many of the Manchester United players. Fellainis positioning as the left sided central midfielder means he was often the central figure in a defensive trio, involving Evra and Kagawa, in closing down any threats down the right. Sam and Emre Can, two of Leverkusens brightest young players, for the majority of the match were very ineffective on the right flank. Fellainis presence inside Manchester Uniteds midfield is sure to make Evra and Kagawa better, as he did with Steven Pienaar and Leighton Baines at Everton (even though he played higher up the pitch more at Goodison, he still dropped in to cover on the left a lot). Fellainis style, which sees him win more balls than a Tom Cleverley for example, needs partnerships so he can ignite teams transitions and find key outlets, and the trio combined very well considering it was their first game together. (photo: fourfourtwo.com – Click For Larger Image) The new partnerships will take time to grow and it was no surprise that the visitors first goal of the game came when Evra was up field and Fellaini had to step in at left back to replace him. This allowed Sam to sprint deep into Uniteds final third, in space usually occupied by the Belgian, before crossing a ball in that came out to Simon Rolfes to power home an equalizer. By playing Fellaini on the left, the excellent Michael Carrick is able to play on the right centrally, and six minutes after allowing the 1-1 goal, United took the lead for good when the Englishman sprayed a trademark ball out wide for Valencia to run on to, and then cross into the box for Van Persie to volley home. It was a goal that showed Uniteds style, while evolving under Moyes, remains very direct, with width, which is how they looked so often under Sir Alex Ferguson. Two goals would follow that came from fast breaks inside their own half, again following the theme of quick counter attacks, and the goals will delight Moyes who spoke on Saturday about the need for his team to ensure their domination is reflected in the score. The big lead allowed Moyes to bring Fellaini off to a standing ovation. His passing alongside his partner Carrick was outstanding, as the central midfielders were the only two players to complete more than 50 passes. Not only does their relationship take the pressure off Carrick to be the main guardian of the gates for Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, it also allows him to pick his moments to move forward and showcase his ability to make a key pass (he was 17 of 24 with passes in the final third). (photo: fourfourtwo.com – Click For Larger Image) However, it was Fellainis role without the ball that United desperately needed, an ability to win key aerial battles (which he did four times), make successful clearances, interceptions and, above else, ball recoveries to help ignite those transitions: (photo: fourfourtwo.com – Click For Larger Image) Moyes spoke Monday about what he felt he needed to do to win Champions League games, despite not managing in them once the group stage had started. Midfield dominance, transitions and an old pal from his Everton days means so far so good for Uniteds new gaffer. Wholesale Nuggets Jerseys .Y. – Alex Rodriguez paid $305,000 for evidence that could be used in the case involving the Biogenesis of America drug clinic, the Daily News reported Saturday. Denver Nuggets Gear .Just like old times.Only this time, just one got to enjoy a victory.James return to Miami as an opponent was a success — for the Heat, that is. Wade scored 24 of his 31 points in the first half, Luol Deng had 25 points and dogged James defensively all night, and the Heat beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 101-91 in a hyped Christmas matchup Thursday.Each week, The Three-Man Weave will fill the lanes and Weave To Achieve on the News, Views and Truths of the NBA and beyond. The unit will be led by Will Strickland and Duane Watson, hosts of TSN 1050s basketball radio show, 1 On 1 with Will & Duane. This week, international comedian and basketball fan Frankie “Trixx” Agyemang joins #3MW as they discuss the NBA Playoffs, which have gotten off to a rousing start. Adding to the excitement are the gritty Toronto Raptors, who are in the midst of a historic journey through the NBAs second season. Should the Raptors take Terrence Ross out of the starting line-up and start Landry Fields? Trixx: I do think they should take Terrence Ross out for a more defensive player. And although I think Landry Fields is as valuable as a broken bike reflector, his defence may be valuable… Considering what theyre about to face in BK!Watson: No. Despite Ross lack of ability to slow down Paul Pierce, or get his shot going, you still stick to what got you there. If Ross struggles stem from his inability to adjust to the post-season level of play, benching him is only going to affect the sophomores psyche. Fields was exactly what the Raptors needed on the defensive end, but Coach Casey can regulate his minutes off the bench.Strickland: Yes. Ross shouldnt look at this as a demotion, but rather a way to help him get back as a primary scoring option off the bench on track while helping the team better defend Joe Johnson. Jason Kidd sadistically attacked DeMar DeRozan with the seven-time All Star in Johnson during Game 2 in Toronto. The Raptors were able to overcome Iso-Joe with stellar defence in the most important scoreless 18 minutes of Landry Fields life… and maybe even the Dinos record breaking season. Do the Raptors have enough to take two wins on the road in Brooklyn?  Trixx: I feel the Raps can win at least one and they shouldnt get ahead of themselves! Just focus on Game 3, and the possible bullet holes members of M.O.Ps crew may send into most of their dressing rooms! Masai might wanna consider staying in Long Island or perhaps New Jersey for this one… Juss sayin!Watson: Toronto took a much needed Game 2, but still have adjustments to make. For the intensity, noise and energy that Air Canada Centre showed, its going to be interesting to see how the Raptors respond being showered with chants of „Brroooooookkkklllllllyyyyynnnnn“ from the Barclays Center faithful. Coach Caseys group were road warriors this season, setting a franchise high with 22 road wins and should be able to take one of the two games.Strickland: Absolutely. Toronto had 40 turnovers in the first two games of the series, so valuing each possession is paramount to success in the playoffs, especially against a veteran team like the Nets. If the young Raptors team can limit their affinity for offering fresh baked pastries to their older opponents, there is an ever greater chance of flipping Brooklyn into „Crooklyn“ and steal a game or two games on the road. Is Frank Vogels job in jeopardy if the Pacers lose before the Eastern Conference Finals? Trixx: If the Pacers lose and are eliminated in round one, I dont think theyll necessarily fire the coach, but I do think things will be shaken up! Lance (Stephenson) will probably be gone for his antics and Roy Hibbert thinks Paul George is selfish from those off-court issues. The line-up will definitely be shaken up! Watson: Jeopardy? Yes, not entirely sure if he will get fired, the Pacers looked like they were playing out of Tankers Life Fieldhouse for the second half of the season and couldnt get it together in Game 1 against the Hawks. This team is in a free fall and is in danger of making it out of the first round, when the NBA Finals were the goal. Larry Bird is going to be forced to make some kind of change.Strickland: In our Playoff Preview on #1On1, a wise hoops sage whose name rhymes with „Will Strickland“ predicted that the Pacers were primed for an upset by the No. 8 seed Atlanta Hawks, who had destroyed Indyy is the last game of the regular season. Stitched Nuggets Jerseys. . That said, Frank Vogels squad has been punched in the mouth again by the Hawks, are now down 2-1 in the series after a rollercoaster season of dysfunction and infighting, and are being asked questions they may be unable to answer. Now, if Indy loses this series, much less doesnt advance to the NBA Finals, Vogel might as well place a listing to sell his home there. Are the Washington Wizards for real? Trixx: The Wizards are no joke and they may do more damage than expected in the playoffs… John Wall and the other guys or as I like to call them, „Destinys Child feat John Wall,“ have no pressure. Theyre just loose and theyre just playing, there are no expectations for them so they have nothing to prove. This makes them very dangerous! Theyve already overachieved by winning more than 10 games this season! Watson: They are about as real as the Raptors and Bobcats are, all three teams overachieved this season and finished above .500. However, the Wizards are facing a tough defensive team with veteran experience and finding ways to win. Theyre getting balanced production, with solid contributions from their bigs in Nene and Marcin Gortat, scoring and speed out of Bradley Beal and John Wall and three-point shooting out of the playoff savvy Trevor Ariza. If the Pacers fall, the Wiz can possibly end up in the Eastern Conference final.Strickland: Along with having backcourt mates of the future in All-Star John Wall and Bradley Beal, the Wizards also possess the calming effect of crafty veteran Andre Miller off the bench, NBA champion utility man Trevor Ariza, the surprising coaching job of perennial hot seat candidate Randy Wittman and a better-than-advertised defence. Under-recognized are their bigs up front in Nene and The Polish Hammer, Marcin Gortat. Washingtons Twin Towers Of Power are a huge reason why nooooooooobody who wears a Bulls uniform beats the Wiz in Chicago yet and Washington has a chance to close the deal in D.C. Which series so far has proven to be must watch TV in the NBA Playoffs so far? Trixx: The most awesome series is hard to say. I know the series nobody cares about and will probably go straight to DVD is the Chicago/Washington series. Two words from Masai made the Raptors/Nets series personal and I must admit, as expected, the OKC/Memphis series has had some pretty good games! Hard to say, but Im enjoying a lot of round one right now! Watson: As soon as the series were set, it was little secret the Golden State Warriors vs. the Los Angeles Clippers was going to be electrifying and it hasnt disappointed. The Warriors ability to score and make big shots whenever needed makes them a team you cant count out; the Clippers are deep and talented with big game players as well. Stephen Curry and Blake Griffin are two of the most exciting players in the NBA and aside from the Game 2 Clippers blowout, the other two games have been decided by six points. Defence will not be the order of the day here.Strickland: Rockets-Blazers, no question about it. LaMarcus Aldridge became a bonafide star in Portlands sweeping of the first 2 games in Houston, flame broiling anyone pretending to guard him to the tune of 44.5 ppg, 12.5 rebs and 2.5 blks. Despite James Hardens poor play thus far, the eyes of the many are trained on Dwight David Howard, who cried his way out of Orlando to the Lakers, came up woefully short of expectations in a drama-filled season in LA and left $30 million on the table to win a title in Houston. On paper, the Rockets are one of the most talented teams in The Association. But the games aint played on paper and the Blazers looked as poised as their sophomore PG Damian Lillard is to launch the Rockets into an early summer vacation.The Three-Man Weave contributors are co-hosts of TSN Radio 1050s 1-on-1 with Will and Duane, Will Strickland (@WallStrizzle1) and Duane Watson (@byDuaneWatson) and guest hoops fanatic and rising Canadian comedic superstar Trixx (@ComedianTrixx) ‚ ‚ ‚