Stumble and snap. Those were our # 8′s last two actions of last season as a tear to his cruciate ligament curtailing an indifferent season for him.
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WARNING: This is not a short read.
Once again, we find ourselves staring down the familiar consensus that follows any failure by Manchester United, no matter how small or insignificant.
We’ve heard it all before – our players aren’t good enough. Whoever our best player happens to be is carrying the side, and we’d be mid-table without him. Our kids aren’t good enough. Ferguson is too tactically naive. We need three or four players to improve our squad or we’ll do well to finish in the top four. Whoever our last best player was hasn’t been replaced.
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The midfield playmaker finished last season how he started it, on the bench and not in the match day squad at times. A very disappointing position for a player who should see a space for him in the England side, given the regularity in which Gareth Barry has been starting England internationals.
The player had a good first season at the club partnering well with the many midfield partners available to the manager. His strengths were his ability to break up play without the fierceness of Keane or Fletcher and his wide range of passing. However he has struggled to claim the mantel of the teams’ first choice midfielder. ( a role in my view held by Fletcher) His four seasons at the club have produced an average of just twenty five games a season. ( in the league) He has never been a regular contributor in the goals department but that was a well known fact before he joined, averaging just over four goals a season.
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With the questionable form of Steven Gerrard this season it looks like England’s only gem is Wayne Rooney. Medical staff have confirmed that Rooney will need extensive work in order to strengthen his ligament, leading us to think that an ‘accidental’ stamp by one of England’s World Cup opponents will put him out of the tournament.
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United purchased for around seven million pound a new raw defender in the form of Fulham’s hot prospect Chris Smalling. The young centre half was spotted at non-league Maidstone and made the switch to Craven Cottage representing excellent sell on value for money. There was speculation at the time that this could be in preparation for United to lose Vidic. However that does not look likely at the moment.
So this leaves United with the more than capable stand in of Jonny Evans plus others like Wes Brown. Evan’s performances have seen him perform consistently for the team during difficult periods. I believe his performances were not given the credit they deserved despite a few wobbles. Wes Brown on the other hand has looked very shaky at centre half looking vulnerable against any player who has pace and is prepared to run at him
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Should United be looking for a new captain?
The term ‘Club Captain’ is more relevant to a right honourable member of parliament is it not. I simply just believe we need to move on from having Gary Neville as captain because he does not look capable of playing ninety minutes week in week out. He will still be an important person to have around the training ground there is no doubt about that. However for those young players coming through and being asked to perform, we need a captain who is going to be out there with them.
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After a poor season simply based on the fact the fans have been left thinking what could have been, with regards to the Blackburn and Bayern games. Sir Alex has done little to inspire those deeply worried about the future of the team, given the assumed financial constraints of the United cheque book. I think you could argue that without Wayne Rooney the team would struggle to make the top four.
This season there is going to be huge reliance on Nani, who needs to be looking for twenty goals in all competitions as the teams total goals from midfield last season is very poor indeed. Valencia who has been good needs to develop his game to the United standard. I often believe that he simply crosses it and does not aim to pick people out hence the two goals scored from his deliveries in the second leg against Bayern. He also outright blankly refuses to take players on, which has severely hampered the threat of the United attacking unit.
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There comes a time as a football fan, when events and decisions are conspiring against your team that you just hold your hands up and think to yourself, “Why do I even bother watching?”
Of course the answer is because I love football and more importantly I love Manchester United, but officiating like we saw at Old Trafford today really makes me lose a little love for the game.
Chelsea’s winning goal was scored by Didier Drogba after what should have been one of the most straight forward offside decisions of the linesman’s career. Yet his flag stayed down and the subsequent goal gifts Chelsea a vital extra two points in the title race. And not for the first time this season.
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Today’s Steven Gerrard farce has got me thinking about other instances where Liverpool players were looked on favourably by the incompetent FA, while United players have been punished for identical incidents. Below are just a few off the top of my head. I’m sure there are many more.
1. Robbie Fowler celebrates in front of Manchester United fans, showing his fingers to symbolize their success in Europe. No punishment. Gary Neville kisses the United badge on his shirt in front of Liverpool fans. Fined £5,000 and warned about his future conduct.
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