Relief: Manchester United 1 - Shakhtar Donetsk 0 -- Game Recap and Player Ratings

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The relief was palpable at Old Trafford when Phil Jones volleyed the ball into the net, the act breaking not only a more than five hour scoreless streak but sending Manchester United into the Champions League knockout stage as the top seed from Group A.  Jones' goal was a standout moment in a game that featured little to be happy about for the home side, as poor ball control and numerous defensive mistakes clouded much of the Red Devils' gameplan; but for the shooting inaccuracy of the visitors from Ukraine, the result could have easily gone the other way. 

Although Manager David Moyes will undoubtedly be buoyed by the victory, the display prompted as many questions as it did answers, and will leave the Red Devils with numerous problems to sort out in order to get their season back on track.  Herewith, the frank and honest individual player ratings from a much needed home win:

 

De Gea: Was aided by the visitors' less-than-accurate shooting. 6.0

Rafael: Decent night defensively. 5.5

Ferdinand: Nearly cost his teammates dearly when he was beaten badly by Alex Teixeira. Bailed out more than once by Jonny Evans. Is this the end? 3.5

Evans: Covered for Rio Ferdinand on numerous occasions. Looked solid defensively, but appears increasingly uncomfortable in possession.  5.0

 

Büttner: Unable to deliver an accurate cross and too easily dispossessed of the ball. 3.5

 

Young: Failed on delivery from the corner and managed to miss both an open net and a wide open Rooney when the goal was begging before the interval. Roy Keane's 'Just not good enough' comment summed it up nicely. 3.5

Giggs: Completely overrun in midfield, left acres of open space in front and behind him. Not his night. 4.0

Regret: Manchester United 0 - Real Sociedad 0 -- Game Recap and Player Ratings

David Moyes and his side will likely rue the two points dropped rather than celebrate the single point gained, as Manchester United and Real Sociedad played to a goalless draw in a Champions League Group Stage match played at the Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastian, Spain on Tuesday night. After enduring a largely uneventful opening 45 minutes, fans of both sides were treated to a more open and entertaining game after the break, with United missing on three separate golden opportunities to secure the victory. Javier Hernandez and Robin Van Persie will both be disappointed for misfiring, the Mexican from directly in front of goal and the Dutchman from both open play and the penalty spot. 

A late Marouanne Fellaini foul saw the Belgian shown an early exit for his second yellow card of the evening, although happening as it did in the last minute of regulation the visitors went largely unpunished for their midfielder's excessive fouling. 

Herewith, the individual player ratings for a draw that extends the current unbeaten streak to seven before League leaders Arsenal visit Old Trafford at the weekend.

De Gea: Not much to do before half time.  Busier after the break but never really tested. 7.0

Smalling: Still struggled to convince at right back, and strangely for his size, was beaten in the air a number of times. 6.5

Ferdinand: Never under real pressure. 7.0

Vidic: Good distribution from the back today and showed that his recovery pace is still there. 7.5

Evra: Saw lots of the ball in the offensive end of the pitch but found little joy. 6.0

Valencia: Carried the ball forward, but was unable to translate the possession into opportunity. 6.0

Fellaini: More involved this game and showed some prowess the the air. Broke up play with his physicality but got caught in possession a number of times. Played in constant danger of being shown a second yellow for accumulated fouls; thankfully he lasted until the 90th minute before being shown the door. 6.0

Plain and Simples: Some Opinions on Manchester United

Photo by See-ming Lee

 

 

First off, a disclaimer: To those of you who believe a Manchester United fan should do nothing more than blindly support your club, you are entitled to that view.  To those of you who are calling for the new Manager's head, you are also entitled to that view (a little rash, in my opinion, but you are fully entitled to your belief).  There is nothing in the club charter that says a "true" fan (I hate that term) can never dissent with official club policy, or is not allowed to question team selection. 

 

These are all opinions.  As is the point of view that you are not entitled to express your thoughts -- that is, on the very face of it, an opinion. So as long as we are all in agreement here, now we can offer some constructive criticism of Manchester United's season to date.  This is not written in the silliness  of the "Moyes out" movement; rather, it is written in the spirit that a club (or a person) which is unable (or unwilling) to listen to criticism is a club which is in the process of not improving. 

One can always -- even as a club -- become better, inprove and learn from others.  To use an analogy: Being a football club is like riding a unicycle.  You are either moving forward or backward, but you had better not remain stationary.

 

o The team selction was all wrong yesterday.  Ashley Young should not see the starting lineup again for a number of weeks, until his decision making process and skill levels improve.  And to those of you who believe he is a scapegoat for an exceptionally poor team performance yesterday, you are only partically correct.  Bar a decent pass or two, Young has comfortably been United's worst player this season.  It's time for the Manager to recognize this and make a change.  

 

o Chicharitos' speed could have made a difference.  We obviously can't say for certain, but one thing we do know is that pumping balls to Rooney in the air was never a strategy that was designed to succeed against City's defense.  Stretching the defense, of which the Mexican striker is more than capable, would have been a smarter play in our opinion.  For all of City's stolid defending on Sunday, re-watch the first ten minutes of the encounter.  This City defense, under Pellegrini, is capable of being carved open.

 

o We could go on an on about playing a 4-4-2 instead of a five man midfield, or dwell on Chris Smalling playing in place of Fabio, but we won't.  Suffice it to say that Moyes is proving exceptionally stubborn with his lineup selection in his early days.  It's a trait that has served the Manager well in his career, but he must remember that stubborness is only one step away from becoming stuck in your ways, and he will need to be a quick learner to succeed in his new job.

 

o United should never have allowed David Gill and Alex Ferguson to leave in the same year.  This is not to say Gill was a magician, and a loss that we are unable to overcome, or to compare him in any way, shape or form to Sir Alex.  Instead, what we are saying is that Gill was an immensely capable Chief Executive Officer.  When your CEO and Chairman (Fergie) leave in the same year, your infrastructure (at the very highest levels) is rightly shaken.  Manchester United  can do all the covering they want in the press ("We got the player we wanted in the transfer market," "We weren't prepared to spend that much for XYZ, etc., etc.) but the truth is as follows: with both of United's top men leaving at the same time, it was always bound to get rocky.  The transfer window was a shambles (clearly getting played by Fabregas' and Ronaldo's agents, etc.). Now that the new season has begun in a similar fashion, no one should be surprised, least of all the Old Trafford brass.  It should not have happened in this way.

Ho Hum: Player Ratings: Manchester United 2 - Crystal Palace 0

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Manchester United overpowered a Crystal Palace side that played more than half the game with only ten men after Kagisho Dikgachoi's late first half sending off, winning in front of the home crowd by a final margin of 2-0.  Although Robin Van Persie's spot kick and Wayne Rooney's free kick gave the contest its final score, the story line lay more in Ashley Young's first half penalty.  After being booked earlier in the game for simulation, Young received the benefit of Referee Jon Moss' late first half decision, but only after the official was forced to consult his assistant after Dikgachoi spilled the United left winger in the box.

Offsetting some of the joy from the victory will be United's failure once again to score from free play against a ten man, newly promoted side playing at Old Trafford.  The Red Devils' offense, which seemed predictable and sluggish for a third game in a row, was enlivened only after young Adnan Janujaz entered the action with approximately 20 minutes left.  New signing Marouane Fellaini also impressed in his brief time on the pitch after he replaced Anderson late in the game.

Herewith, our player ratings for a game whose outcome seemed never in doubt, but still difficult for the home side to put away:

David De Gea: A virtual spectator in the first half, the Spaniard was forced to make himself big to deny Palace's Dwight Gayle before the break. Could have used a beach chair to properly enjoy the second half. 8.0

Fabio:  Adventured forward quite a bit in the early going, but failed to link up well with Valencia. 7.0

Rio Ferdinand: Not much to do in truth, but was thoroughly turned around by Gayle's speed on Palace's near miss at the end of the half. 7.0

Nemanja Vidic: How does a wrecking ball fly so gracefully? 8.0

Patrice Evra: Made numerous slicing runs through the right side of the Palace defense, but his failure to control the ball in the box led to less than optimal results. 7.5

Ashley Young: A surprise starter based on his last outing. Booked correctly for a first half dive, but repaid the Manager's faith with his first half run that led to Dikgacoi's red card dismissal. Overlapped well with Evra on the left hand side of the pitch. A thoroughly mixed bag. 7.0

Anderson: Let's just say that ball control was not his specialty in the first half. Offered a beautiful pass to unlock the Palace defense at the beginning of the second half, but Young was unable to capitalize. Looked sluggish, possibly from a large pre-game meal. 6.0

Michael Carrick: Quietly efficient, distributed the ball well. He's so good in so many little ways it's hard to quantify. 8.0

Some 'Splaining to Do: Player Ratings -- Liverpool 1 - Manchester United 0

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A rudderless Manchester United lost to arch-rivals Liverpool at Anfield earlier today in a game in which the visitors never appeared to be truly engaged.  Failing to score for a second consecutive game will leave the United manager and fans alike puzzled over the dry spell, but legitimate questions will be asked about David Moyes' squad selection for the contest.  Starting 39 year old Ryan Giggs for a third game this season, and picking Ashley Young over other available options on the wing may have been bad enough, but failing to find even a spot on the bench for Shinji Kagawa will insure that Moyes has, in the immortal words of Desi Arnez, "some 'splaining to do."  Herewith, our thoughts on another performance at Liverpool's home that just wasn't good enough:

De Gea: Little to do all afternoon bar Sturridge's opener 7.5

Jones: Nothing special either way, subbed off early after rolling his ankle. 6.0

Ferdinand: Spot on with his distribution, but was involved in mixup that led to Sturridge's goal.  7.0

Vidic: Like a rock at the back, dominated balls in the air 7.5

Evra: Had spring in his legs, showed decent commitment 7.0

Giggs: Not up to the task or the pace in starting against Liverpool. Decent touches but wasteful in possession. Still has gifts to offer, but Moyes needs to quickly figure out how to avoid overusing a legendary player 5.0

Carrick: A couple of uncharacteristic giveaways and a first half yellow insured that he won't remember the  game fondly 6.0

Cleverley: Looked completely overmatched in the middle of the pitch and was consistently bothered by Liverpool's pressing. 5.0

Welbeck: Looked dangerous early on, but gradually faded in influence and was bedeviled by poor decision making. Never threatened late. 6.0

Young: Was caught in possession for the corner that led to opening goal, and generally frustrated fans and teammates alike.  A truly baffling choice to start at Anfield 5.0

Sluggishly Effective: Manchester United 2 - QPR 0

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It's a sluggish start from the away side on their trip to QPR's Loftus Road home in London, with giveaways and sloppy ball handling the apparent early theme of the afternoon. The home side shows some ambition going forward -- despite their two month home scoring drought -- and their game plan seems to revolve around some muddled combination of midfield whiz Adel Taraabt playing the ball and the rest of the squad attempting to win free kicks at any cost.

Nevertheless, it's United with the first whiff of goal on the afternoon: an Ashley Young swerving free kick, which Nani -- rewarded with a rare start for his match winning performance against Reading last weekend -- fails to direct on target. Minutes later, Chicharito shows Nani how it's done, although his backward flick-on from Young's second cross is easily tipped over the bar by QPR's banana-kitted goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

In truth, it's ugly play from both sides that mark the opening 20 minutes -- until the disjointed stretch of play is wickedly shattered, along with the back of the net, by an absolute screamer of a goal from United's young right fullback, Rafael. A contender for goal of the season, the Brazilian returns Julio Cesar's deflection of Robin Van Persie's effort directly back from whence it came -- and then some -- to hand United a 1-nil lead shortly before the 25 minute mark.

Ten minutes later it's the one and same Rafael clearing a headed QPR corner kick off the line to preserve the lead, and -- after charging half the the length of the pitch with the ball -- steering an inch perfect cross onto the outstretched foot of Van Persie.  The resulting shot is kept out of goal only by a fine save from QPR's top banana.

The goal mouth action is the last of the day for Van Persie, subbed off before halftime for Danny Welbeck, the Dutchman having picked up a knock that will no doubt send the club's legions of fans worldwide into a state bordering on sheer panic. Although Nemanja Vidic nearly doubles the visitors' lead before the half, his headed effort is just wide and leaves the scoreboard reflecting only the sole goal as both teams revert to the warmth of the halftime dressing rooms.

Five Thoughts We Had While Watching Manchester United 3 - Sunderland 1

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Buzzing: Old Trafford was buzzing like a bee yesterday. As the club enters a December holiday period glutted with games, there was the very real sense -- palpable even on television from across the Atlantic Ocean -- that we are entering a most important time of the year. The season will be made or broken over the next few weeks, and given City's deserved victory over Newcastle in the early Saturday kickoff, United needed to out the pedal to the metal. So would they?

Rampaging: The Reds overwhelmed Sunderland in the game's early going, with Ashley Young, Tom Cleverley and Antonio Valencia gutting the Mackem defense like a fish. After weeks of frustrating the fans, Young has been a revelation the last two games: he's been pacy and incisive.  And Cleverley is beginning to make the central midfield position his own -- playing with boundless energy and determination.  He's adding goals to his game, too, which is a massive bonus.

Assisting: Not only is he scoring, he's adding assists to his game. Who? Robin Van Persie, of course. Some strikers do nothing but shoot -- Daniel Sturridge, we're talking 'bout you! -- while others appear selfish almost to a fault. Van Persie strikes the perfect balance -- up near the very top of the League scorers' table, but also setting the table repeatedly for others --Wayne Rooney first and foremost.  RVP is sharp as a razor right now, and if he can keep injury free this season you've got to believe the Reds are the odds-on-favorites to be lifting the BPL trophy come May.

Five Thoughts on the Manchester Derby

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1. It Ain't Over Just Yet, Folks: Yesterday's huge United victory notwithstanding, the BPL title has not been decided. Let's get real: Manchester United have a six point lead at the top of the table with five months of the season still left to play. Anyone remember the Reds having a larger lead than the current one back in April 2012, before coming unglued against Everton and handing the title race over to City?  While it may now legitimately be a two horse race, and United have a clear advantage, it's an awful long season and I'm fairly certain no one on the Red side of Manchester should be celebrating anything just yet.

2. Wazza's Turning Purple:  Wayne Rooney's finally hit a purple patch, and it's come at just the right time of year. Still the heart and soul of the club, Roo has struggled in front of goal for much of the season's early going. But as any veteran United watcher knows, when the man starts scoring he scores in droves. Considering the upcoming fixture congestion, could there be a better time for Wayne to take the team upon his back and fire a Christmas-time point haul?  If only he can stay away from the holiday party scene things are looking quite good....

3. Frustration and Hatred are Not the Same Thing: We're getting a little tired of people calling out the haters whenever a player who has been criticized come up trumps and has a good game. We've been as frustrated as anyone with Ashley Young's play in the season's first half, but that doesn't mean we dislike Young and shouldn't be able to enjoy a fine performance such as Sunday's. It just means we're expecting a bit more consistency from the player in question. If it's true that his early season injury caused Young's multiple sub-par performances, then we'll look forward as much as any United fan to seeing what the fleet-footed winger can do when he's fit.

Flicker: Manchester United 3 - Manchester City 2

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Q. Any derby day surprises to the United starting lineup?

A. Quite unsurprisingly, yes: for beginners, how about Fergie starting his "backup" goalkeeper, David De Gea, less than a week after telling the British press that Anders Lindegaard had become his number one choice between the sticks....? Although many United fans likely saw though this managerial feint, there was a palpable sense of relief among the Twitterati when the young Spaniard's name was revealed as first choice. Other surprises included the selection of the recently injured Antonio Valencia and Tom Cleverley, and the fact that the starting eleven did not include a single surname spelled Scholes, Giggs or Fletcher. Onward and upward, as they say.

Q. How 'bout for the remaining quarter of Manchester?

A. We were a bit surprised to see a Sky Blue lineup that included Mario Balotelli at the expense of Carlos Tevez, but we were not as shocked to see David Silva experiencing the type of miracle cure usually reserved for those bathing at Lourdes. Tom Cruise revealing himself as a City fan pre-match seemed entirely appropriate, as well.

Q. How went the early going?

A. It was virtually all City to begin the game, as might be reasonably expected at Eastlands. That is, until the Wayne Rooney goal on about the quarter hour mark, which came against the run of play and on the Reds' very first effort on goal. The scuffed shot, none too pretty in and of itself, looked a real beauty in the eyes of United fans worldwide.

Q. Did City get right back up after the surprise counter?

A. It was actually United who seized the momentum and appeared to have the bit between their teeth. The Reds appeared determined to impose their will on the contest, a turnaround that became even more evident when Rooney capped off a sweeping move to double the visitors' advantage near the half hour mark, this time more emphatically finishing Rafael's picture perfect pull back.

Q. So, 45 minutes in, and 2-nil to the Reds. Your thoughts at the half?

A. We couldn't have been any happier after viewing the team's best half of the season. Showing great urgency both on and off the ball, the Reds played with ambition and determination, while the Blues looked the very picture of a toothless tiger. Roberto Mancini slowly twisted on the sideline as his team played the ball side to side, while Sir Alex looked as energized as his charges as he walked to the locker room. In addition to Rooney, standouts for this viewer included Ashley Young, as well as the entire United back line: the shape was good and the lads were disciplined.

Q. Any notable developments to begin the second half?

A. Yes: Jonny Evans was forced to limp off almost immediately after the second period began, and Mario Balotelli was handed his walking papers in favor of Carlos Tevez shortly thereafter. Somewhat less surprising was seeing Samir Nasri being booked for verbal abuse, his oral diarrhea finally raising the ire of referee Martin Atkinson -- the latter about to become central to the outcome.

Flaccid: Norwich City 1 - Manchester United 0

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o United lack a cutting edge whenever Paul Scholes is not in the lineup. Sad to say that the club appears overly reliant on a 38 year old, but -- although they can knock it around with the best of them -- the incisive pass goes MIA when Scholesy is absent.

o Excrutiatingly boring doesn't begin to describe the Reds' first half performance yesterday. Perhaps boring is good -- no soft goals conceded is a plus -- but the attack was absolutely flaccid for the first 45 -- despite the apparent embarrassment of offensive riches on the pitch.

o The game was there for the taking, waiting for a moment of individual brilliance to heat up a collective effort that had been ice cold until the hour mark. Unfortunately, it arrived in the form of a perfect cross from Javier Garrido, and a header to match from Anthony Pilkington.

o Javier Hernandez being replaced with 20 minutes left? I'm sorry, but I don't agree, and I'm certain the Norwich City players must have breathed a big sigh of relief to see the backside of the Little Pea, especially given the Mexican's scoring record of late.

Two Minutes Too Much: Manchester United 1 - Sunderland 0

“You’ve got to just try and go on to the end and see what happens.” Ryan Giggs, May 13, 2012

United have a tough task: to take care of business at the Sunderland today, and become only the second team to win at the Stadium of Light since December.  Without a win, nothing happening at the Etihad matters -- at all.  To accomplish the task, Sir Alex sends out Wayne Rooney by himself up top, flanked on the wings by Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia, who themselves bookend Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs in the middle.  Defensively, Jonny Evans makes a surprise return, partnering Rio Ferdinand in the center.  The central pair are supported by Phil Jones and Captain Patrice Evra, and, as usual, its David De Gea in between the sticks.

It’s a mixed beginning, the two teams feeling each other out to begin the contest, with Sunderland perhaps having a bit of the upper hand in terms of attempts on goal.  The midfield battle is fierce, and both teams struggle to create much of anything of real value.  Antonio Valencia looks most lively for the visitors, bombing down the right hand side of the pitch, but to this point in the match he’s been unable to replicate the quality of his runs with a through ball or cross.

Rooney pats Phil Bardsley on the back and shares a joke after narrowly missing a header – this may be a hard fought game, but the goodwill between the two sides is also readily apparent, with Sunderland’s squad showcasing three former Red Devils amongst the players in the Red and White home strip.  Jones heads just over the bar with Mignolet stranded in No-Man’s Land, as United ratchet up the pressure just a bit as the game approaches twenty minutes gone.  Although the crowd is initially slow to react, there’s a score just seconds later, as Rooney is picked out by none other than Jones – attempting to make amends for the poor crosses that have betrayed his youth of late.  United’s main man stoops to waist height to steer the bouncing ball past Mignolet and just inside the post, and United have landed the first punch of the day, grabbing a quick 1-0 advantage.

United are far more patient on offense today, content to pass the ball around and probe the Sunderland defense for openings.  For their part, Sunderland have fallen back into more of a counterpunching style after conceding the opener, gifting large swaths of possession to their blue clad visitors.  The development suits United well: Giggs peppers the Sunderland ‘keeper from close range, after a Sunderland mistake in the box hands the ball to the Welshman in a forward position, and Rooney bangs a free kick off the bar, Mignolet growing roots in front of goal.  Although the score is unchanged, the visitors are in the lead, as well as the ascendancy.

 Although there are 22 men on the pitch, it’s clearly the Wayne Rooney show today, as Wazza could already have had a hat trick by turning in Young’s miscue, but the ball continues its skittering run through the goal box, deflected just wide by United’s Number 10.  Frazier Campbell misses a fine opportunity of his own at the other end, as both defenses yield chances.   The visiting crowd grows quiet as news of a Manchester City goal sweeps the visiting end, but the men in blue soldier on – there’s business still to be done.  The teams trudge off to the locker rooms with Sir Alex marginally the more satisfied of the two managers: happy would be much too strong a word, given the events back in Manchester.

Thanks for the Memory: Manchester United 2 - Swansea City 0

Having taken only four points in their last four games -- and almost certainly pissing away the title in the process -- Manchester United took the pitch today at a subdued Old Trafford needing a record setting win against the visitors to put them back in the title picture. Shorn of Danny Welbeck up front and Jonny Evans in the back, the Reds were weakened on both offense and defense entering the fray.  What follows are some thoughts on the on-pitch action, even as my mind was racing with scenarios of what might have been:

o For a team that often scores six but seldom scores ten, Sunday would have been a good day to have done the latter. Unfortunately, it didn't happen.

o The boys picked the wrong time of the season to hit a scoring slump. In retrospect, two shutouts in the team's last four games entering Sunday was no way to win a championship.

o The players' moods during the contest were summed up by Paul Scholes' non-reaction to the game's opening goal.  Acting as if he has missed the net instead of hit it for the fourth time this season, Scholes walked glumly back toward the center of the pitch after his tally at the half hour mark narrowed the goal difference with City down to nine.

o Chicharito's season was seen in a perfect microcosm during a five minute period in the first half, in which the Mexican missed scoring from a back heel and a ball off his shoulder -- both shots which would have found the net for the Little Pea last season.

o Ashley Young's issues were well summed up, too, when the United winger was scythed down inside the box in what should have been a clear cut penalty. Perhaps giving weight to the Englishman's burgeoning reputation for "embellishment," Referee Chris Foy chose to look the other way for a penalty which could have narrowed the goal difference even further.

o Young did cut the difference to eight just a few minutes later, bending the ball around and behind Dutchman Michel Vorm.  Young betrayed his emotions by his reaction to the score, just prior to the half time whistle: racing to pick the ball up and attempting to score another rather than celebrate. After all, when you're tied on points, it's all about the goals....

o Which came fewer and further between as the game drifted toward its conclusion: a Kieran Dyer and Angel Rangel block here, a missed Chicharito header and Wayne Rooney shot there, and the clock continued to tick away on the Reds' title chances -- as opportunities which really should have ended up in the back of the net failed to accommodate the home crowd's wishes.

Diving and Faking - The Bane of the Beautiful Game

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Columnist Scott with a plea for help:

With a seemingly recent surge in diving, combined with comments thereabout from players, coaches and reporters alike, the time is ripe for a frank discussion about an essentially accepted practice that brings shame and ridicule to our beloved sport - Diving and Faking.

First, it would behoove our discussion to clearly define the aforementioned capitalized terms. Diving, as I see it, is the nefarious act of intentionally falling to the ground when there is no, OR VERY LITTLE, contact from the opposing team, in an effort to draw a free kick, penalty or red/yellow card for the opponent (e.g., Luis Suarez often, Craig Bellamy dramatically against Everton, Andy Carroll comically against Newcastle, two thirds of any top Spanish team  etc., etc., etc., ad nauseum).

Faking is the spineless act of pretending to have been hurt during a Dive in order to either waste time or bolster one's specious case for said free kick, penalty or red/yellow card (e.g., James Perch and the phantom Pepe Reina headbutt). I should note, before proceeding, that attempting to coax an unwarranted red or yellow card for an opposing player is the most insidious act in soccer.  Such chicanery not only is cheating in the instant situation, but also conspires to gain an unfair and undeserved advantage during the balance of the game through an ill-gotten numerical advantage. Even worse, while the numerical advantage does not carry over to the following game, the services of the aggrieved player are not available, often to the detriment of that team (e.g., Ashley Young/Shaun Derry).

I didn't see the Chelsea/Barcelona game but I read on these fine pages, in two exquisitely written and incisive pieces by each of Messieurs Ed and Farlie, that Didier Drogba was the Diving/Faking menace personified, through acrobatic self-flinging and Emmy award-winning (Oscar? Come on, he's a football player, not Meryl Streep) "pain-induced" grass-stained writhing. To those (hopefully few) who say such antics are part of the game I say "NO THEY ARE NOT"!

Just because something seems to be accepted at times does not make it right or "part of the game."  Just as the blatant pushing, pulling and holding that goes on in the box during corners and free kicks is not part of the game and should be stamped out, as Correspondent Ed has wisely pointed out on these pages previously, and on which I hope he will expound someday.

In competitive situations, human nature incrementally pushes the boundaries of what is acceptable - especially when failing to do so results in unfair advantages to the opposition. As such, the players themselves cannot be relied upon to "change their ways" any more than a child who has consistently gotten away with crying to get what he/she wants can be relied upon to alter that behavior without intervention.  Some may object to my childlike analogy but I think it especially apropos.  The deception involved in Diving is exactly the same behavior in a child still learning right from wrong.

Nine None-Too-Insightful Thoughts on United's 2-0 Win Over Aston Villa

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o Ashley Young with his second dive in the box inside of a week's time?  It's starting to get a bit old, Ash.  You're going to begin drawing yellows for your antics rather than penalties -- or worse, not have a penalty called when it's truly deserved.  I'll take the lead but could do without the theatrics.

o Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes playing together in midfield make me think about how thin United is in the middle. Driving the point home yesterday were Carrick's early card and the subsequent first half knock that Scholes took: what would happen if either man was to get two cards in a game, or -- even worse -- injured?  While the Red Devils have an embarrassment of riches at both wings, they're a bit barren in the middle at the moment. Sure, Giggs, Cleverley or Jones could cover, but would you really look forward to seeing any of them playing a full 90 in central midfield in one of the Reds' upcoming fixtures?

o Very telling: If you don't think even the veteran players are nervous at this point of the season, think again. Rio Ferdinand couldn't bear to watch Wazza'a first half penalty that handed United a 1-nil lead, preferring instead to keep his back toward the goal, eyes on the Stretford End, and ears open to the sounds of the crowd.

o Despite the four goals yesterday, United's offense is all looking a bit labored right now.  It's not that it's too slow, or too through the middle, it's that they are trying to make it all too intricate -- in essence, they're working too hard. There are too many passes, too much looking for the perfect ball, and it's all a bit nervy -- we're slowly turning into Arsenal.

o Danny Welbeck is not playing with a ton of confidence at the moment -- he passed up a bundle of opportunities to pull the trigger yesterday, and when he did look to shoot he often wanted one too many touches.  Perhaps his late first half tap in of Patrice Evra's seeing eye assist will help to get Welbz back in gear.

o I've been saying this for weeks now -- longer than most -- but Wayne Rooney is not on song, and -- as we all know -- as goes Rooney, so goes United. The Englishman's formerly deft passing and touch seem to have deserted him of late, and he's beginning to get a bit frustrated. To Roo's credit, he hasn't been lashing out -- either at his teammates or the opposition -- but if United is going to seal the title, their talisman needs to seriously step it up over the next two to three weeks.

Holy Newcastle!

Why Can't We All Just Get Along?:
Columnist Ed Watching Footie with Two of His Closest Friends

Columnist Ed on all the latest happenings in the BPL:

o Well, not exactly holy, but just when you’re ready to anoint Harry Redknapp as the manager of the English team and Brendan Rodgers of Swansea as the EPL coach of the year, you get Newcastle on the cusp of Champions League qualification with Alan Pardew.  There have been times when the Magpies have looked like absolute junk – the 5-0 beating they took at Spurs comes to mind – but they’ve just won five in a row during this key time in the season.  Can they pull it off?

o Well, it really depends more on whether Spurs are truly imploding or whether they can get it together against the bottom of the League in the last five weeks.   By my count, Spurs have to win at least three and tie one of their last five.  Theoretically . . . . I think that’s worth saying again for emphasis . . . . theoretically this shouldn’t be that tough, in light of the fact that they have to play QPR, Blackburn, Bolton, Villa, and then Fulham.  In their current form with no central defenders and Gareth Bale currently abdicating his position in favor of a crowded central attacking midfielder role, this doesn’t seem easy.  But if there’s one thing that’s a certainty in the BPL, it’s that no one can predict what will happen next.  I recall United being dead and buried after being blown out by City; I also recall people wondering if Wenger had a future at Arsenal.  In short, who knows really?  Certainly not the experts.

o But tracking back to Newcastle – what impresses me most is Pardew’s ability to simply insert any striker he finds fit and for that person to become a star.  Think about it, a year and a half ago it was Carroll, then it was Ba this year, and now it’s Cisse.  I think even the withered old bossman might be able to put a few in if he played the position at . . . . wait, sorry about that, I took it too far.  But I think you know my point.

o But here’s what I wish for most:  In this year of the unknown, it would be nice to see a second-tier team like Spurs or a third-tier team like Newcastle [Ed. Note: Columnist Ed's term, not mine -- let the abuse begin below] make the top four instead of the big money teams that everyone knows are going to be in the top four.  In other words, as much as Chelsea represents England well in Europe, I’d prefer they get bumped this year for a change and someone else given a chance.  I mean, wouldn’t that be fun?

o Speaking of teams that have been kind enough to give the rest of the table a chance, how about that eighth place Liverpool squad?  I was desperate enough to watch a bit of their game against Blackburn (painful), and wow, they put in their entire second team.  So in case you were still wondering, and you shouldn’t be, Liverpool has abandoned League play and doesn’t care at all where they end up in the BPL this year.  One wonders about their future.  Is Liverpool a place where talented players come to die, or is it that the players that Dalglish brought in are simply awful?  Hard to say, but I would suggest that IF there is a team more in need of that arrogant, petulant, childish, master named Jose Mourinho, I can't think of it. 

House of Horrors: Manchester United 2 - Athletic Bilbao 3

photo by divinemisscopa	via PhotoRee

Manchester United's European House of Horrors continued last night, with the not-so-mighty Reds conceding three road goals while losing to a younger, faster, and dare I say better Athletic Bilbao squad, a side that currently sits fourth in La Liga.  If Bilbao is world famous for its modern art museum, many of United's players looked old enough to be exhibited in a similar environment on Thursday night. Losing a second straight home contest -- let me repeat that: Losing a second straight home contest -- in a cut-rate European competition can't feel very good for Sir Alex, and perhaps the only silver lining Red fans will come up with is that the team's focus must now be on Title number Twenty.

United will be fully up against it in the second leg of this tie, to be played in the Basque region of Spain in a week's time, needing at least a two goal win to advance. Based on last night's evidence, United has two shots at getting that result: slim and none. Herewith some brutal thoughts on an ugly evening in Manchester.

o Thank God for David De Gea, who was easily Man of the Match for the Reds -- and having surrendered three goals, that's saying quite a bit.  DDG is the man for all those doubters. Let me remind you of what we said on this site before.  Oh, and by the way: the guy is class.

o I hate to say this, because I love him, but Chicharito has been largely useless this season when not directly in front of goal. He's not big enough to play hold up man, a la Berbatov, and his touch is not good enough to dribble 20-30 yards with the ball, a la Rooney. When he's on his game, he's a definite fox in the box, one of the deadliest strikers in the world from six yards in or less, but if United don't get the ball in there he's basically just taking up space. On a positive note, the Mexican's timing seems to have returned, as he's not being flagged offside nearly as much as he was earlier in the season.

o We're grasping at straws here, but on the plus side of the strikers' ledger, Roo is hot right now, very hot, with seven goals in his last four games.  Despite his generally abject performance yesterday, he still managed to find the net twice.  He was at the right place at the right time last night for the first goal, but a betting man would have backed him to score regardless. His movement and instincts on the play were excellent, as he both started and finished the move, hanging just off the shoulder of the defense until they lost track of him, and onrushing the net like a bull in Pamplona to get to a spot where he could side foot it in.

o Against the run of play seems to be United's new motto. For the second straight game the Reds allowed the opposition to completely outplay them. United's new tactic appears to involve letting the other team play brilliantly for as long as they can, riding their luck the entire time, and then hit back just when the opposition is least expecting it. It worked for the first 44 minutes yesterday, but then we all witnessed what happens when your luck runs out.

o Give full credit to the visitors: Bilbao moved exactly like you would expect a youthful club to move. They showed tremendous fluency on the ball, were quicker to it in so many instances I lost count, displayed a nice variety of short, quick hitting passes and tons of pace -- oh, the pace. Those boys were fun to watch, and they completely and utterly outplayed our guys. There's no way to sugar coat it.

The Sucker Punch: Manchester United 3 - Tottenham Hotspur 1

photo by greyloch	via PhotoRee

Some brief thoughts on United's crucial victory at the Lane yesterday:

o No Parker, No Bale, No Van Der Vaart: Did United get lucky?  The answer is "I think so." United were a clear second best for a good portion of the match, and overrun in the midfield for the first 60 minutes or so. I don't know what the game may have looked like if those three had played, but I'm betting it would have been different.

o Have United found a replacement for Paul Scholes?  I believe they have: and his name is...Paul Scholes. The Ginger Ninja is just so damn impressive on the ball, a steady, calming influence in the middle of the park, and deadly vision and  passing combined on the ball. When a pass fromScholes appears to be hit to no one, you don't blame Scholes, you ask why the other player didn't make the proper run.  Scholesey also seems be making way fewer rash tackles than he made the past couple of seasons. Perhaps the secret is to give him half the season off, and then use him like hell in the run-in. It certainly appears to be working so far....

o United were wasteful in possession early on yesterday, and appeared more than a little lethargic during a very long first half. It seemed as if they were beaten time and again to most of the 50/50 balls in the game's first 20 minutes.  Im not sure the formation and/or personnel worked, either: Carrick and Scholes played under control, but they got little to no first half support from Nani and Ashley Young, who were complete non-factors in the opening 45.

o United were clearly missing Chris Smalling and Rafael at right back.  And despite his playing there today,  I'm fairly certain right back is not Phil Jones' best position. Sure, Jones is passable there, but you don't get the quality combination of defense and offense that you get from the other two.  Instead, what you get is a bit more muddled: mazy offensive runs that end up a bit long-legged, often with a turnover, and quick tracking back on defense that more than once or twice ended in fouls. After conceding a free kick in a dangerous spot that was ultimately squandered by Spurs, Jones went down away to easily when beaten by Lennon, and only Emanuel Adebayors's handball on the line spared United's blushes and a 1-nil deficit at the half.

o United's first half goal came from nothing, absolutely nothing, completely against the run of play. What a sucker punch, and what a huge haymaker from the Champions, a blow struck by none other than Wayne Rooney that will have definite implications on the title race.

One Bridge Crossed: Manchester United 2 - Ajax 0

photo by Jos van Zetten	via PhotoRee

Sir Alex and the boys traveled to the city of bridges, Amsterdam, for a Thursday night Europa League clash against Ajax FC. While not the Champions League by any stretch of the imagination, at least the thought of playing a world famous European opponent gave United fans some small sense of satisfaction -- and the thought of heading to a city full of hashish dens and red light sex shops probably didn't hurt the attraction for the traveling fans, either.

Regardless, the most exciting news coming out of the United camp pre-game was the midfield pairing of Michael Carrick and the returning Tom Cleverley. Injured since November, Cleverley has in his absence become a savior of sorts, the answer for whatever ails the club -- in fact, United's lack of advancement into the Champions League knockout stages would clearly have been different "if only Cleverley had been available," or something like that. Off to see if the reality would come even close to living up to the hype, farlieonfootie's crack team of reporters invaded Amsterdam to turn in this report:

It's a new anthem and unfamiliar teams in the pre-game highlights, but the packed stands full of 50,000 enthusiastic home supporters seem to care little, as they experience the joy of a mid-week European clash -- Manchester United's first such match outside of the Champions League since 1995.

The contest began cagily enough, both clubs longstanding veterans of the conservative approach required to succeed in pan-European football.  As the clock ticked toward 15 minutes, though, the game began to open up ever so slightly, with the home side seemingly the primary beneficiary of the increasing amounts of open space showing on the green grass of the Amsterdam Arena pitch.

Both teams battled for supremacy in the middle third, and the lack of substantive penetration of the final third on either end was primarily due to the teams' conservative opening gambits rather than a lack of accurate passing or strategic indecision.

Javier Hernandez gave the hosts something to think about as he was slipped behind the Dutch defense, but Ajax 'keeper Kenneth Vermeer was alert to the danger and responded well by smothering the ball before the Mexican could inflict any further damage. For their part, Ajax seemed content holding the ball, as if possession alone could guarantee them a result, while lacking the true cut and thrust shown by United, even if the end result was the same. The hosts did finally call on United 'keeper David De Gea as the clock hit the half hour mark, although the embattled Spaniard's full stretch more than covered the open net behind him.

The vaunted Cleverley effect was little noticed by the interval, which ended on a small note of controversy as Ajax pleaded for a non-existent foul just outside of the box.  That their pleas were correctly waved off by Italian referee Gianluca Rocchi was confirmed by television video evidence as the two teams trotted off the pitch.

A track meet broke out to begin the second half, as if the coaches' halftime instructions included a change to the two teams' pay structure, with new compensation measured in terms of a taxi cab, payable according to the number of miles traveled. The feeling of a goal grew near, with United laying siege to the hosts' goalmouth, but it wasn't until Ashley Young poked home a misdirected cross near the hour mark that the seal was finally broken and the visitors took a deserved 1-nil lead.

The Dead Zone: Manchester United 1 - Newcastle United 1

Photo by neoliminal on Flickr

Just One of Those Days – Sometimes you can do everything right and it just doesn’t work out in the end.  I’m not saying United did everything right yesterday – far from it, in fact – but the game had the feel about it that United could have played another 90 minutes and not breached the goal mouth. Off the line, off the bar, off Tim Krul’s hands, offside – every chance denied, every opportunity thwarted.  


It seems as if the team is stuck in neutral at the moment – not bad enough to fall off the chase, but not good enough to stay in it.  Saturday’s problems can’t really be blamed on midfield creativity – there was plenty evident in the persons of Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick.  And United created plenty of chances -- more so than in most games the team has recently played.  No, Saturday just has to be laid off at the feet of “Just One of Those Days" – you can’t win them all.

Tim Krul was Outstanding – A flying Dutchman back in between the sticks at Old Trafford?  Too bad he was on the wrong team....  What can you say about the Magpies Dutch ‘keeper except that he’s at the top of his game right now?  Krul singlehandedly kept Newcastle in the game yesterday, especially during United’s late second half onslaught, denying United on more than one occasion from all angles and distances.  And when Krul was finally beaten, there was Danny Simpson on the line in the 86^th minute to save his bacon.  Several United shots could have tested Krul a bit more -- I'm thinking of Vida's point blank second half header -- but the game had about it the feel all along that it would take a special effort to beat the Dutchman.  And the Reds didn't create anything nearly special enough.

Where Have You Gone, Ashley Young?   Where are the early season goals?  What's happened to the threat from the left flank?  Where did the inch perfect left- AND right-footed crosses go?  Instead, what we’re left with is exactly what I feared when Manchester United signed him – a decent but ultimately not great player who drifts in and out of form from game to game – sometimes hot, sometimes not, sometimes not even present.   I lost track yesterday of the number of times that Young missed a shot, took one too many dribbles in the box, failed to deliver a quality ball, or just helped fizzle out the final attack.  He’s become the Dead Zone, the walking dead of the United offense, having taken over the mantle from Patrice Evra: any chance Young takes turns into nothing.

Normal Service Resumed

photo by rivo	via PhotoRee

The English Champions returned to action on Sunday, playing West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns. It was a welcome return to action for fans of the once and future champs, and Sir Alex wasted no time in introducing several of his talented youngsters into the Opening Day lineup, preferring Tom Cleverly and Danny Welbeck to Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov. Newboy David De Gea started in goal, while ex-Red Ben Foster manned the nets for the home side.

o United piled the pressure on immediately, as if demonstrating that the players couldn't wait for the season to begin, too. And what a difference a year makes: this season it was Wayne Rooney getting off the mark quickly, as he dispatched an easy left footer past the diving Foster to give the Reds a 1-nil lead.  Admittedly, West Brom showcased some pre-season form and was absolutely awful in closing Rooney down, generously offering him acres of space just on top of the 18 yard box. The goal was greeted with celebrations heard the world 'round -- probably everywhere except the West Midlands, in fact --  as United's legions of fans can't help but be cheered by the sight of a smiling Rooney finding goal so early in the season.

o The traveling fans were in fine throat yesterday, serenading the boys in Red and being heard loud and clear all the way across the Atlantic, via my laptop, via Slingbox, via DirecTV, via a dodgy internet connection at Newark Liberty International Airport.  Due to a brutal rainstorm yesterday that wiped out travel plans up and down the Eastern seaboard of the United States, I watched the first half hour of the match in this manner, so "Loud and Clear" was the only way they were going to be heard: mission accomplished, guys.

o Another week, another questionable goal allowed by David De Gea, in which he seemed once again to dive just over the top of a shot and allow the Baggies back into the match. De Gea looked as twitchy as Roy Hodgson's face during the match's second half, and the announcers on both English and American television were only too quick to jump on the young Spaniard -- I can't even imagine the reaction on the Twitterverse. One thing's for sure: I'm sticking with my boy, and riding him all the way this season, for better or worse.