Sep 17
United Have Been A Cross Between Chelsea and Arsenal (Of Last Season)
Sad to say this, really. Really sad. But there is no escaping the fact that we have been playing like that.
Don’t get me wrong though. Results wise, it’s been good for us. But it certainly is not good for the heart, over the long run. Our wins over the past three games have been one-nils — very Chelsea-like as far as digging deep and snatching wins, while not playing in top gear. But that is not to take away the performance in terms of dominating possession and making one pass too many in trying to craft an opening — something we’ve seen to be associated with Arsenal over the past couple of seasons.
However, things have changed for the so-called big four. Chelsea, while not being too different from their last season, haven’t managed to snatch those wins. (Are they missing Drogba?) Arsenal have been playing the same cute football of last season, but have learnt to finish better. And Liverpool are also able to finish, while demonstrating their trademark ability to drop points – thanks to Rafa Benitez’s firm faith in his rotation system.
United haven’t really lost their flair. If not, they have been more dominant this season. The Reading game was full of waves of attacks. So was the Man City game. So was the Sunderland game. True, we weren’t quite so convincing against Spurs despite our dominant possession. But overall, we have bossed the midfield much more than we’ve probably done last season, or recent seasons prior to that.
The difference this time has been more subtle. Our approach, this season, has got more to do with holding the ball and looking for openings to prise open the defence. In the past, however, we relied on quick bursts of wave after wave of attacks to get our goals. A positive way to look at our general play this time would be to term it as a ‘patient passing’ approach. Although, most of our disgruntled lot would dismiss it as a ‘clueless sideways passing’ approach. Either of that is a fair enough assessment depending on how you intend to view it.
Anyway, moving on to the Everton game, I could catch the entire second half while saw only bits of the first. So I will very quickly go over parts of the game that made sense and other parts that had me puzzled.
First and foremost, was the team selection. Why was Silvestre started at left back? I know he is one. But when you have Evra already starting, there is no sense playing both your left backs, what with the Sporting Lisbon game coming up in just three days time and a Chelsea game coming soon after. Now all that’s happened is Silvestre is out for the season and we are left with a thread-bare looking left back position. Of course, it might give Pique or Evans a run at that position. Evans could play at left back but he is a more natural central defender.
Again, Ryan Giggs as the other striker? Which leads me to ask, why Saha wasn’t started. He had two weeks to get back into shape after the Sunderland game. Surely he could start? Oh well, he is Saha after all. But Giggs as a striker doesn’t really make sense. While his performance this season hasn’t really been up to the mark, he does play better in his natural left wing position. Or at least play him in central midfield with Scholes and Carrick – with Tevez, Nani and Ronaldo the front three in a 4-3-3 formation. I know that wouldn’t make too much of a difference, but it still is better than wasting Giggsy by playing him up top.
I may be sounding a little too bitter. I know that. I really want to say bad stuff about Giggs, but that is still unthinkable because of what he means to me and the club. Roy Keane recently said about there being a thin line between loyalty and stupidity, and that he is trying to learn to stay on the right side of the line. Fergie must know better and, on this occasion, he’s treading ever so close to that line.
Giggs still has a bit to offer the club, but he can’t be expected to play the whole ninety minutes. Running down the wings for an hour should do for him before he’s taken off for Nani. He should be eased out, like how Figo was eased out at Inter and Portugal. At his age, he would be better at bursts before he’s taken out for fresher legs.
About the game, there were positives. Our defence has been excellent so far. While there were a few iffy moments, we had EVDS to thank on couple of occasions. Rio Ferdinand was immense and so was Vidic. Rio’s last ditch clearance to deny Lescott (or whoever it was that hit the return ball off McFadden’s shot) was great. Vidic has been great when it comes to attacking corners. He’s always looked like scoring in each of the games this season, and his aggression was well rewarded and deserved.
Ronaldo was anonymous, and was probably tired after being heavily involved in Portugal’s international fixture. However, it’s time he hands the free kick duties over to Tevez, who can surely lift the ball at least over the wall.
The biggest positive, of course, was the determination and willingness shown by the team to dig in and get a result. And as an off shoot was the tireless running of Tevez. The player will get his due sometime this season. He has a lot to offer and we need to be patient with him. His weighted through ball to Evra and a lob over an Everton defender to set-up Scholes were great efforts.
We are getting results, which is good. But they need to be more convincing than our win, thus far. Of course, we would take these points – crucial that they are. After all, it is the hall mark of Champions to win even while playing poorly.
Happy with United’s performance? I am. Satisfied? No, not at all.
Appreciated your comments during and after the match. Keep them coming! And for those who don’t know as yet, Red Rants has been nominated for the bloggers’ choice awards. We thank those who have voted so far, and we hope the rest of you do vote for us to help push us up the list. Of course, we are way below Soccerlens and other biggies, but there are still a good number of you that visit this site. So go ahead, register and vote for us. Remember, it takes only as much time (if not less) as it would take you to post comments here! So what are you waiting for? Vote for Red Rants! Hurry.
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Tags: Match Reports
Craig Mc (200)
RedDevilEddy (190)
Opti (149)
Ian (110)
Moscow is my heaven (99)
Im support Arsenal and dont watch United as much as you do but I get the feeling that United have turned not into Arsenal/Chelsea but into Portugal 10 years ago. There is alot of pretty passing in the middle third, but because all your players want to come short to the ball and want to dribble (Tevez, Ronaldo, Giggs, Scholes, Nani, Anderson, Rooney) you havent got any balance. Saha is different, he gives the attack a focal point. When he isnt playing, you have lots of ‘inside forwards’, players who like to play in the hole. I couldnt understand the decision to buy Tevez, outstanding as he is. I dont think anyone really believes that he and Rooney can play together.
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I also support Arsenal and I must agree with Steve. It’s your total team-balance that is off. There’s obviously nothing wrong with the individual abilities, but you’re crowding the hole. For some reason SAF don’t play Saha. He’s quick, a very good finisher on both feet, he can head the ball and he is fast. Last season we from time to time saw glipses of what made Ferguson buy Saha from Fulham SO many seasons ago, but for some reason he hasn’t convinced SAF. Until balance is regained, ManU will have to ride their luck and fortune to get those narrow wins, just like that Everton game. By the way; Vidic is class, sorry to say…
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@ Steve: Sir Alex cerainly believes they CAN play together and who are we to declare with any certainty that they cannot. We may feel they cant but that doesnt mean that “no one really believes they can’t”
If I recall correctly – Fergie said he say wayne playing further upfront from now on – much like he did in the cup final when he ran chelsea’s defence ragged but just didnt have the support when he attacked. With tevez (and also the likes of ronaldo, nani, anderson …..) he wont have that problem.
But it is interesting though – how exactly will both rooney and tevez play together
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the man u have been playing is as if they are playing badly on purporse, i refuse to believe man u are becoming crap, rather they are making teams less fearful of them, therefore they attack aswell rather than defend, due to their fear, i dont know, time will only tell us
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@ adil
well – that would be a stupid plan if that is what fergie is doing
its simpler really – injuries and suspensions have forced new players in (lacking fitness) to play. COnsequently, many players in the team have never played with one another and naturally, it will take them time to find their rhythm. The good thing is that at least we’re getting the points – but hopefully the style and panache will return soon
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Excellent analysis Red Ranter. I couldn’t agree with you more. You hit on a lot of issues and were spot on with your thoughts. The Arsenal – Chelsea comparison is very good and hopefully just an early season blip. About Giggs as a forward, why the heck didn’t Fergie just use Ronaldo in that role? He is comfortable as a striker and his height is an asset also. Quite often he plays a more central striking role for Portugal. Also, what about Anderson?
And finally, although I love Ronaldo I think he is only fair at free kicks and offers only one style of kick. Tevez is the go to guy in this situation and Giggs is still better than Cris. When he returns I would consider trying Hargreaves at free kicks. I am a big Bayern Munich fan as well and I have watched Owen hit some very special free kicks for the German team over the years. He wasn’t the number one choice for them but when he got his chances he impressed me.
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good point regarding free kicks
tevez and hargo should be ahea of ronaldo
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I think that Fergie had Wednesday in mind with the starting line up Ranter. Evra was creating Many chances and probably had 25% of our total possesion of the first half. I believe he would have scored if he didn’t have to replace tweety.
Vidic was massive, besides the header. Well done boys!
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I see that Hargreaves is going to miss Sporting on Wednesday. I don’t pretend to understand the world of sports medicine, but how exactly did he pass his medical, if he can’t handle more than 90 mins of football? All these injuries related to his broken leg have me seriously wondering if he’s going to be able to get back to normal. And with both O’Shea and Fletcher suffering knee injuries too (anyone heard hte extent of these?!) all of a sudden our defensive unit is looking a bit shaky.
Hargreaves was bought for games like Sporting. Away from home, in Europe, he was brought in to provide the protection the back 4 needed. Just sucks really…
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Totally agree with beachryan.hargreaves is so lightweight with regard to injuries.he keeps getting these niggly injuries that dont heal.i mean as a defensive mid youre supposed to be really strong.and i am sorry to say this but he looks to be made of glass.great player though
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RR i agree with your post however i have to say that we have missed ronaldo and rooney while tevez has not yet hit top form, you just wait until we give one team a right hammering(hopefully chelsea next week) and get into our stride, soon we will be banging in the goals. for now our teams just has to gel and for the meantime a one nil win is better than a nil nil draw, id take three points anyday of the week no matter how we play!
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I have to say I’m a little disappointed in this post. Just too negative and carping. I don’t think any Red would say we have played well, but I for one am delighted to see the team grind out results while ravaged by injury and suspension. Frankly, although I’d like us to win with grace and flair, that rarely happens in these circumstances. Once again some Reds are very quick to hit the panic button and start second guessing SAF – I’m content to let him make the choices for the time being.
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Well I get a feeling SAF is preparing for a Barca/ACM kind of a formation in future. 1 fantastic forward (not there in the club at the moment but should come next year + Saha is close one at the moment); 3 roaming creators behind from amongst Rooney, Tevez, Ronaldo, Nani, Anderson; 2 deep lying mids (Hargo/Carrick) and a solid back 4. Veterans like Scholes and Giggs should be retiring (or getting less chances soon). But in all probability this is what future should look like. And this looks really really impressive. Once all these guys have understood their roles and settled down well, we are going to mesmerise people (remember Man Utd-AC Milan games).
All teams have to go thru rebuilding phases at some point or other. Arsenal had same problems in last 3 years but now they are much more settled (Cesc has matured a lot isint he) so they are reaping benefits of that. SAF has clearly seen beyond present that soon the likes of Scholes & Giggs & Saha wont be there anymore. It makes sense to prepare for that as well (so as to avoid a 4 year lean spell of no achievements as a club like Man Utd cant afford that). It makes sense to do some experimentation now rather than late. After all you cannot predict things sitting on drafting chair but you have to take chances, experiment and then analyze whats good. Its too early to really be giving any verdict on the results so far! We’re not too off the top spot and other title contenders like Chelsea and el pool also seem to be struggling!
Isint it ironical that flair teams like Barca (with the likes of Henry, Messi, Dinho, Deco) and AC Milan (world no.1 player Kaka) are also struggling!!!
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“Why was Silvestre started at left back?”
I believe the main reason is Evra’s crossing abilities. He seems to get more crosses in than any of our wide players at the moment. It makes sense playing him in mid and let someone like Silvestre play LB. Unfortunately, Silvestre’s injury meant the end of SAF’s tactics to some extent.
Why Giggs is playing as support striker – heavens only knows. I think he should come off the bench, not start the game. He’s still down on confidence.
Sometime ago, one of the readers commented that he would prefer 1-0 digg-ins as apposed to playing with flair and losing. This is exactly what’s happening. We played with flair and it didn’t work out. SAF gave the boys instruction to start digging and keep things basic. After a couple of wins, once confidence is up, the flair will come. We just need to be patient (as frustrating as it is). Unfortunately, I don’t see this weekends game vs Chelsea to be the turning point. SAF seem to have developed a fearfull respect for Mourinho. The game is guarenteed to be very defensive. Just hope we win.
On the other hand though, I’m sure we can expect to see some flair in the CL game.
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