Memo to Ferguson – Manchester United need to play a lot better
By common consensus, if Manchester United had opened up a 9 point lead by Tuesday night, the title race would have been as good as over.
As things stand, Mourinho now has a lead of only 7 points to haul back, and a win against Aston Villa tonight should bring them back to a four point deficit and with Manchester United still to play away to their 3 major rivals (plus Tottenham as well), the title race is still pretty close.
The credit for Newcastle’s effort yesterday goes to Edgar, to Milner, to Solano, to Taylor, to Given and to Parker. But like it or not, this was a largely under-performing Manchester United side that went up against a Newcastle team kicking and fighting with their backs to the wall. Paul Scholes (and some trickery from Ronaldo) apart, United lacked their killer instinct, and with Saha getting injured early on, United were forced to rely on Giggs and Ronaldo to provide support to Rooney instead of Solskjaer, Smith or Rossi.
Saha is said to be out for 2 weeks, although it could be less or more depending on a proper analysis of his injury today. His absence combined with the lack of form of Wayne Rooney means that Manchester United will heavily rely on Rossi, Solskjaer and Larsson to bring in the goals for them in the next few matches.
Larsson is expected to be a substitute, so it all comes down to a choice between Rossi and Solskjaer. Ole has the better footballing brain and an uncanny ability to pop up at the right place at the right time, but you can’t doub Rossi’s pace and his willingness to get stuck into the defence despite his small frame. Rossi at home, Solskjaer away, but we’re not buying a new striker so maybe Ronaldo will be pushed up to support Rooney.
Carrick was missed yesterday, although he did eventually come on to replace Fletcher it was a bit late by then. Carrick is very under-rated in the team – he’s expected to be the hard-tackling Keano clone but instead he’s capable of being the playmaker we’ve been looking for to succeed Scholes. He’s not afraid to tackle either, as recent matches have shown, so it’s all about giving him more games and watching him grow as a player.
Would Hargreaves have helped yesterday? I don’t think Hargreaves would have allowed Milner to get away his shot like Fletcher did.
Would Torres or Defoe have helped yesterday? As a replacement for Saha, you’d think United could have scored the winning goal.
But none of this would have mattered if Ronaldo had played better, if Rooney had been better, if Park had put away his chance and if Giggsy had supported Scholesy’s efforts better.
And that’s the bottom line – if Manchester United want to win the Premiership, they’ll have to play a lot better.
Topics: Manchester United, Newcastle United
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The title would not have been over last night – even with a 9 point gap. MUFC still have to go to Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. Anyone who believes that is an idiot.
United may well regret the missed chances last night. Saha reminds me of Andy Cole (good but needs 5 chances to convert 1). Unfortunately, Rooney’s first touch and form has deserted him.
It is very unfair to blame Ronaldo given he won 3 games, on his own, over Xmas.
Although it is only January the continual media onslaught of ‘They’ll be celebrating that goal in Manchester/West London’ and changing the title favourites 18 times during a match is doing my head in.
January 2nd, 2007 @ 18:24‘Unfortunately, Rooney’s first touch and form has deserted him.’
hmmmm i dunno, i reckon rooneys form is a little worrying but to be honest expected, every young wizz kidd has the odd mediocre season, and yet rooneys still managed to score 8 premiership goals, he’ll get back to where he was soon.
January 2nd, 2007 @ 21:03To say the title race would have been over last night is a bit pre-mature, but it proves something all too scary. United are more likely to draw then Chelsea are, which in the long run might come back to bite us in the ass. Sure some signings would have helped but then Chelsea fans can say is they hadnt sold Gallas or Huth they wouldnt be 9 points behind either. For the life of me i cant understand why we had NO STRIKER on the bench. After articles of 7 for united, where the hell are they ? 3 good things came out of last night. 1 we fianlly realised the value of carrick. 2 it proves how totally shit fletcher was on the right of midfield and the centre. and 3 gives us a much needed kick up the ass.
January 2nd, 2007 @ 23:19A – 7 strikers are Rooney, Saha, Solskjaer, Smith, Rossi, Dong and Larsson.
Rooney was on the pitch, Saha was injured, Ole rested, Larsson just came back from his Christmas break and will play his first game in the FA Cup, Smith’s still training, Dong and Rossi just got back from their loans.
Don’t care what you guys say, 9 points lead with 16 games to go, I’d have bet on United winning the title then. 4 points lead with 16 to go – not so pretty.
January 3rd, 2007 @ 00:02A – 7 strikers are Rooney, Saha, Solskjaer, Smith, Rossi, Dong and Larsson.
Rooney was on the pitch, Saha was injured, Ole rested, Larsson just came back from his Christmas break and will play his first game in the FA Cup, Smith’s still training, Dong and Rossi just got back from their loans.
Don’t know how you guys think, but with a 9 points lead with 16 games to go, I’d have bet on United winning the title then. 4 points lead with 16 to go – not so pretty.
January 3rd, 2007 @ 00:02