When United finished their pre-season tour of America the squad
was brimming with confidence and the fans all over the world had a very good
vibe about the upcoming season. But when they landed in England the chemistry
with which the team played in the States pre-season which saw them go
undefeated to the title evaporated and with that Old Trafford faithful started
feeling anxious again over the clubs fortunes including our every own Ginger
Prince. So when LVG started calming the nerves down by insisting everyone to
believe in his methods and that it will be a long path to top, we could atleast
be content that the manger acknowledge that the improvement is required rather
than giving a false sense of confidence.
But after watching the match against Sunderland anyone would
start wondering how could a team with so much talent in the current squad could
struggle to beat a team which by a God’s (Sunderland fans would swear it was
Gus Poyet) miracle escaped relegation last term.
Starting with the midfield duo of Fletcher and Cleverley would
make any United fan unsettled, not that Fletcher is bad but alone there is only
so much he can do to patrol the midfield area. With Cleverley only putting the
pass that comes his way onto the path another player without finding a killer
pass is only a man on the field rather than a man who is supposed to rake up
assists. Any team, I mean any team, would look at the United midfield and feel
that they have a chance to nick the points today, mind it points not a point. So
having an awesome trio of front three is of little use without a player who can
take the ball out of defence and find a meaningful, chance carving pass. With
rumors of Di maria of gaining significant momentum, I am left wondering what
would he add to the squad which doesn’t play the system which he excels in.
To be fair United started well against Sunderland but
tapered off with players unable to get going other than pass it wide and expecting
a miracle overhead kick by Rooney or RVP. Sunderland knew that they had to
close down the United front duo quickly and they did it perfectly till Valencia,
slotting well into right wing back position, found a way a get a pass into the
box when Mata lost Larsson with a clever movement and found the net. The goal
seemed to get players into a positive attitude but Sunderland knew that United
defence was vulnerable with the English trio of Jones-Smalling-Blackett lacking
proper leader ship to steady the team when the opponents like Sunderland use
muscle in the penalty box, which they did and that was how the forgotten man of
Englishmen Jack Rodwell got what could be his career reviving goal. Anxiety
sets into United fans whenever the opponents win a corner or a free-kick near
United’s penalty box. Fortunately for United, the defence started settling
after conceding a very damaging goal, and could deal with the Connor Wickham
& Steven Fletcher well later. Blackett was usually impressive with his
power and physicality on the left hand side. He has the talent to survive the
physicality of the league but whether he has the technique to cope when he
faces the playmakers of Hazard’s calibre remains to be seen. The same couldn’t
be said of Chris Smalling, the senior of the trio who struggled to settle into
the game and had to make way for the league debutant Michael Keane before the
first half could be even completed. Not sure of what lead to the change, but it
moved Keane onto the right side of the trio with Phil Jones taking the central
role and patrolling the area well. Based on the today’s performance alone one
could sense that Jones should play central among the trio. The average age of
the United’s English defence trio was lesser than that of Sunderland’s two. It was
a nice remainder of the United values who believe in giving a chance to the
youth. They may not be the ball playing defenders LVG was looking for but if
blooded properly with the premium chances and quality guidance by the coaching
staff, United may not have to look into the market for defenders as even Keane
adjusted to the pace really well. LVG will have his work cut out to get the
talented defence to work into defending and contributing to set-pieces.
Whenever United broke Sunderland could get back into their
natural shape due to the lack of penetration of passes of United midfield. If
brought in Di Maria will be a very huge asset on the counter. But with ball rolling
between themselves United lacked quality to make something happen with it. Herrera
might have helped today but still United need another midfielder possible two
who are willing to put tackles to win the ball clean and then pass it on to Mata/Rooney/RVP
to make merry. As been the case since last few transfer windows United fans may
not welcome such a player.
The front trio of Mata, Rooney & Persie are individually
talented but couldn’t do much to help the score line in United’s favour today.
Mata was unusually bad at aiming the crosses and none in United’s team properly
meeting them. When scoring from open play is proving is proving difficult
players need to be ruthless with these chances. With the squad already short on
quality players avoiding needless yellow cards earned by Young, for simulation
and Cleverley, for a rash non-ball winning tackle will be helpful in not making
it difficult for the club. With players unable to break well organised Sunderland,
LVG ringed in the changes replacing Van Persie with, rumoured to be unwanted, Welbeck
and Darren Fletcher with Januzaj. These changes had two way affect on the play.
With Welbeck always up to closing down on opponents and fast on counter being
an asset on the right hand side and Januzaj playing out of position in midfield
unable to control the tempo.
It was a point well-earned for Sunderland and a glorious
chance of building up momentum lost by United. These are the early times, with the
manger still learning about the league and players adjusting to a new system.
But United fans have already lost the patience they would have reserved for
rebuilding concept and are demanding the results which will settle the fans,
club as well as players.
LVG will be realising the enormity of the task and seems
like a man up for the challenge. Players let down David Moyes very much last
year and have to share the blame for last season along with the Moyes. Now the
players need to step up and help LVG get United to the top. Any manager is as
good as your team, unless the manger Sir Alex, who was watching on from the stands. What fans would do see him in the dugout again and relieve those
glory days.
Hoping for a better outing by the team next time along with
possible additions to the squad.
Once a Red Devil always a Red Devil.
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