It has become an all too popular unpleasant sight, Manchester United run ragged by teams with arguably lesser players, of lesser pedigree, class and ability, as compared to those within the red devils. For 45 minutes, Southampton dominated United and looked set for a famous win, until in stepped Paul Scholes. Against Everton, United paid the price for their lack of dominance in the middle of the park. United didn’t look so convincing against Fulham either, but they had a little degree of control on the game.
The game against Liverpool, like the game against Tottenham Hotspurs, United were second fiddle the whole game. From kick off, Liverpool, threatened and threatened. Fabio Borini got behind them constantly; Shelvey did not allow them any time on the ball at all, and Raheem Sterling, certainly an exciting prospect looked at ease the whole time. Steven Gerrard, dictated play from the center of midfield. United were passengers, Van Persie cutting a lone figure, ostracized from the rest of his wolf pack by a brilliant Liverpool midfield.
Even after Shelvey’s red card Liverpool continued to look the better side, and deservedly got their lead through a brilliant Steven Gerrard volley. A fitting moment, for the man who has been the idol of the Kop faithful, and a man who was personally affected by the Hillsborough disaster: his 10year old cousin never returned from that game, and 23 years on, Gerrard gave him a fitting tribute with a wonder goal.
The introduction of Paul Scholes, as has been since his return from retirement stabilized United, and they were better on the ball, but, as Sir Alex admitted, it was against ten men, and United should not get any credit for that.
This is an alarming trend for United, dominated by lesser teams in the middle of the park. Sir Alex may have said that the game has changed and there is little place for box to box combative midfielders who break up opposition play right in the 2nd third, preferring midfielders who are creative, and can ‘read the game well’.
But it isn’t it there for all to see? Yes, it is admirable, how United can be run ragged, and still grind out a result. It gives special testament to the character of their biggest asset, Sir Alex Ferguson. But a lot of it has to do with luck, and a magical moment of inspiration. Rafael’s goal was brilliant, beyond description, Van Persie’s penalty parried into the net by Reina. United are riding their luck. Against Everton they paid the price, against stronger teams in Europe they will pay the price.
Manchester United need a combative midfielder who is capable of breaking up opponents play and rushing the creative midfielders. Yaya Toure has done it well at City, his powerful presence in the central park and marking a key feature in City’s title winning side. Cheikh Tiote left no place for United in their damaging 0-3 loss to Newcastle last season.
For a couple of years now, United have given up their dominance, often winning when they were by far the lesser team. It was daylight burglary against Liverpool yesterday, a win as much by luck than anything else. And the team’s key weakness is their inability to break up play in the center. All opposition attacks make it successfully into United’s third, with little trouble. As Sir Alex prepares to offload Nani and Anderson, he should look toward a box to box combative holding midfielder, in the mold of Tiote, Toure, Alex Song, because sooner or later United’s luck will run out.
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