As the final whistle went in Sunday’s Manchester derby, the fallout of the below par United performance was being scrutinized around the world. So far this season Moyes has failed to win against a big side with a draw against Chelsea and a defeat at the hands of Liverpool. What stood out the most today was the way his side played, especially in the first half about City.
This was by far the worst performance United have put in this season. The side without RVP didn’t have any bite or threat up front but perhaps what was worse was the sheer lack on spirit from some players. As City got stuck in, United seemed to shy away from challenges. Of course it also doesn’t help when the likes of Valencia keep coughing up the ball.
The biggest horror show on the day was surely that of Ashley Young, fresh from his grilling for diving last week, he decided to give a master class in giving away the ball, and not having any positioning sense at all. What was strange was that it took City scoring the 4th goal before Moyes pulled him off. Many United fans would have felt this needed to be done at half-time.
After the 4th goal, United slowly got back into the game, and had one or two decent chances to get a goal. Rooney was by far the best United player on the park, and deserved the late free kick goal he bagged for the Old Trafford side.
Questions will be asked about the lack of purchases before the window closed, and why Kagawa was on the bench. For the lack of transfers it could be said that the new man wanted to get the feel for his side, and perhaps come January we’ll see some new blood coming in. Fans and pundits are still confused as to why Kagawa remains out of the starting 11.
The attacking midfielder is exactly what United need in the middle of the park. Carrick and Fellaini can controll the midfield and allow Kagawa to have a roaming role playing in behind the forwards or drifting out wide to add another dimension to United’s attacking options.
If Kagawa is out of favour for some reason with Moyes, then United need to find an attacking midfield option in the window. United fans will be kicking themselves that they didn’t get a hold of the like of Ozil based on his performances so far. The other option for Moyes is to retool up front instead. Hey could find a good attacking option to play with RVP, and then move Rooney into that attaching midfield role.
The England forward has the ability to do the job, and one thing that came out of the City game was that Rooney has matured. Even at half time this had the makings of a game where Rooney would go out and get sent off, but he came out in the 2nd half and did everything right.
Back in the Fergie days, this result would have been the type that would galvanize the team. It would not be a surprise for United to go on and win the next six or seven,but can Moyes do the same?
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