Crisis in Paradise

As almost every rival football fan laughed in unison at the tragic scenes that unfolded in Basel, the shell shocked United supporters could only stare at the ground in disbelief and disappointment.

In a season that started so promisingly, a visit from their noisy cross town neighbors seems to have altered their course for the remainder of the season. Trailing City by 5 points, losing to Crystal Palace in the League Cup and now bowing out in the group stage of the Champions League in seemingly the easiest group there was, it can’t get any worse for the mighty Manchester United. Or can it?

Midfield Dilemma?

With the retiring of the Legend that is Paul Scholes, the Red Devils lost that all important midfield talisman that would ensure there longevity in the Domestic and European campaign. Sir Alex always knew that the day would come when Scholsey would call it a day, and had more than enough time to find a replacement.

This panic was felt also by millions of fans, as they called for Fergie to sign a world class player to fill the gap that Scholes left behind. With the Scot claiming that he would dive into the transfer market, there was a real sense of intrigue around Old Trafford as the rumor mill started churning out new prospects every hour. The most intriguing saga of which involved one Wesley Sneijder.

The Dutch midfield maestro was seemingly ready to leave Inter, and Manchester seemed the only destination that tickled his fancy. But with a price tag of a private jet, and monthly wages equal to a yearly budget of Macedonia it would serve to be a major stumbling block for the move. Add in Darren Fletchers mystery illness and niggling injuries to Antonio Valencia and Michael Carrick, the midfield options at the beginning of the season seemed thin, and there were definite calls for a replacement of quality.

Enter a Cleverly Crafted Solution

As the season started, there was a definite anxiousness around Old Trafford. No big name signing to show for, no Scholes and an abundance of young players with little to no experience.

Up steps Tom Cleverly and the previously inconsistent Anderson. Sir Alex favoring the pair to start the season instead of purchasing a BIG name world class midfielder. Would it work? The answer, an unequivocal YES! The midfield duo, partnered with stellar performances from Welbeck, Nani, Rooney and Young provided United fans with an excitement they so rarely felt since the free flowing days of Ronaldo.

United were quick out the gate, with amazing one touch football, and smooth flowing attack, partnered with smart and agile defending. The team went on a great goal scoring run crushing Arsenal 8-1, beating Man City to the Community Shield and causing teams across Europe to take notice. Fergie had done it again and formed another “team” worthy of challenging Europe’s elite clubs.

Injuries expose lack of depth & Poor Selection

Sitting pretty and playing well, Fergie looked smug as usual chewing his gum as his team were not only getting results, but looking quite attractive while doing so. Nothing could go wrong it seemed, until injuries started to pop up, like an epidemic of sorts at the club. Cleverly, Welbeck Vidic and Anderson all falling victim to injuries which saw the squad suddenly look thinner than ever, and that spark and chemistry that was the cause of their early season dominance was now gone.

United began playing sloppy, with careless passing, lack of urgency, and most importantly lack of creativity. The fans who were quiet for weeks began asking questions again as to why Fergie did not sign a midfield superstar. The likes of Fletcher and Carrick although familiar, lacked that connect with the forward line that we saw with Anderson and Cleverly. Injuries to these experienced players also led to a gap that Fergie tinkered with by playing a variety of players in said position. Rooney, Jones, Smalling and even Park all took up roles in the middle of the park in a horrible spell of games which saw them dumped out of 2 competitions, and lose ground in the league.

It was obvious that although the club played well at the start, most of those players that were responsible for this form, were sidelined and there was a need for something fresh, something creative, and something classy in the middle of the park.

Fergie was left with minimal options, but so strong was his belief in his young players that he decided to experiment with formation and selection in an attempt to regain the early season form and prove that he didn’t need another midfielder.

Unfortunately it didn’t work as City dealt united their worst home defeat in history, and the worst defeat under the Ferguson Era. Shrugged off as a once in a lifetime loss, United set about to bounce back and put that loss behind them, only it was easier said than done.

The goals seemingly dried up quick and with Europa League football on the horizon the season seems to be a bust as the City steamroller continues moving forward in lethal form.

Bottom Line

There are some things that United will need to learn from this experience.

1. Europe is by no means a place for experimentation. Fergie took the easiest group on paper and turned it into a fight to the last minute for a place in the second round. With a thin squad, and the season on the line United ill afford to waste points by playing weak teams and experimenting with different players in different positions.

2. Never underestimate your opponents. This goes hand in hand with the point above, and too many times we have seen United underestimate their opposition especially in Europe and come out empty handed. Buck up and field a strong team until your future is safe, then and only then can we emulate the great clubs of Europe such as Barca who fielded a youth team against BATE and won convincingly as there was no pressure.
   

3. Rooney needs help. Everyone needs help sometimes, and although there are times Wayne can put the team on his back and carry the club, every hero needs a sidekick. Aguero needs Silva, Messi needs Xavi, Higuain needs Ronaldo, and the list goes on. Rooney needs a midfielder than can give him the supply line to score the goals. Does that mean a superstar? Not necessarily. Im content to see quality like Wilshire or Ramsey come up as we have in Cleverly.
   

4. Experience is crucial and quality counts. The likes of Paul Scholes, Van der Sar, Neville etc having retired is starting to tell. Rio is no longer the able defender he once was, and Vidic is seemingly made of glass. There is a call for an experienced player to step up an pull together these young lads.
   

I like to think of myself as an Old School supporter who loves seeing players play for the club who love the club as much as I do. I believe we have found this in the past by buying players, such as Rooney, Evra, Ferdinand and Vidic but by and large big superstar signings is not a United trait. I love when the club targets young players with ambitions to win everything, and build up a loyalty to the club. This is something that I do not believe we can get by buying Snejider and fully stand by with Fergie’s decision to wait. It may not be the best season by any means but the future does hold promise barring any injuries. Big name signings will only seek to dwarf the development that Tom and Ando had shown, and drive the clubs finances further in the red.

It’s obvious that the club needs one or two players to bridge the gap and bring in much needed depth and competition, but the likes of a world class established midfielder is not in the United way. Pick up a young talented lad with a hunger for trophies, and a United mentality.

This isn’t the end by any means. The club is still sitting near the top of the table and has the prospect of recapturing that early season form at some point this season when all related parties are once again match fit. This will only seek to build character and make the younger ones stronger. I BELIEVE !!! UNITED!!!