Aug 13
United Would Do Well to Learn from Arsenal
Morning lads. I know. Even I am reeling from yesterday’s defeat. This won’t be a match report per se. If it’s match reports you want, then you have the papers. I would post match reports as and when I feel like it, but at the moment I’d like to dwell a little more on the lessons we can take from the game.
First of all, let’s be honest here and give credit where it is due. Hats off to Reading. It may seem cowardly to many, but under the circumstances – first game of the season at OT – their performance was a display of supreme discipline. Steve Coppell deserves praise for his tactical nous. To over simplify, all he might have asked of his players, prior to the game, would have been to park themselves in front of their box. But what he might not have expected was the form of his defence, particularly, his ‘keeper Hahnemann – who had a blinder of a game.
So what went wrong for us? Well, to start off, a couple of our players didn’t show up on the day. Evra, who was started on the left wing, and Scholes, who played in his customary position, were completely ineffectual. A similar word may also be said of Giggs who faded. While Rooney’s absence in the second half may have been the popular excuse, I thought we could have wrapped up the game in the first half itself.
For all the possession we had, we showed very little imagination going forward. It is one thing to send wave after wave of attacks with close to 70% of possession. But the inability of making full use of this possession counts for nothing at the end of the day. And while our rivals go two points clear, we are left doing the job of catching up. When Coppell decided to park his players in front of their goal he was taking several leaves out of Big Sam’s ‘Bolton book’ – which worked to a great deal against Arsenal. Arsenal, especially last season, ended up being too one dimensional because they lacked a genuine finisher; someone who could convert all the pretty passing to a concrete result. It might reek of hindsight on my part, but with the absence of Rooney, now surely out for over a month, we seem a little short of genuine strikers.
Saha is our best bet, but he’s just returned to training, which means he should be back for the second game – of next season, that is. Solksjaer is still injured. Tevez’s return is not until derby day but with the situation he might be hastened back into the team. But that wouldn’t necessarily translate to a solution to our problem as he needs to bed into our system.
Now don’t get me wrong. I genuinely support the current system employed by the boss. The 4-2-3-1 is certainly something I’d love to watch our team play in. But it is our planning that worries me. Our signings (and sales) of attacking players have been with the assumption that our first team, more importantly Ronaldo and Rooney, lead a relatively injury free season. That is why we were so confident of off-loading Rossi. But one would imagine that someone of the predatory instincts of Saha/Rossi might have done the job yesterday. Regular readers might remember my sadness at seeing Rossi leave. Thankfully we have Tevez. Otherwise all hell would have broken loose in the dressing room.
So what do we have ahead of us? A tricky trip to Fratton Park, of all places – where we don’t have a particularly good record in recent years. Then we have something of an unknown quantity – a trip to the ‘Massive’ City of Manchester stadium. While our derby games have been well contested with plenty of recent bitter memories (Ronaldo’s red card in a 3-1 loss and Michael Ball’s stamp on Ronaldo last season), this one is sure to be a much more serious affair with an apparently rejuvenated City under Sven Goran Eriksson – who by the way, was taking notes at the game. Following this, we have Spurs. So honestly, we have to put this behind us and get our act together, otherwise our season would be blown to bits even before we face Chelsea in September.
Anyway, after yesterday’s game here are certain things that I felt were worth noting:
- Silvestre is looking more and more unconvincing
in left backas a footballer. This may come as late breaking news, but he is completely shite. Evra should be put back to his LB position with a genuine winger in left wing. Suddenly we seem out of depth in that department, with Evans as our only other option. (Assuming Heinze is frozen out.) - The absence of a target man/striker was glaringly felt. We had no one to call upon after Rooney’s departure. So much for our wide array of attackers. Saha’s return (hopefully), and that of Tevez should alleviate the problem somewhat.
- Tevez’s return must help address one more department of our game that’s been missing ever since Beckham’s departure – consistent free kick takers. Ronaldo’s free kicks have been appalling for most part, Giggs would do better with indirect ones and he’s not getting any younger.
- Carrick has been impressive going forward, but mere willingness won’t do. He needs to make those passes and shots at goal count. And he needs to be a bit more forceful going forward. To be fair to him, I thought he was among the better players yesterday, who presented our ‘forwards’ with genuine chances.
- While I really do not want to write off Scholes – yesterday may have been an off day, plus he was coming back from injury anyway – but we need the bite of Hargreaves in midfield sooner or later.
- I know what you are thinking. I agree – these post match notes might have sounded entirely different had we snatched a win.
Despite all this, to be honest, it’s not everyday your team goes out with 25 plus shots on goals with close to 70% of possession, and yet contrives to draw the game. Well, not with Manchester United at least. But such things have happened. Ask any Arsenal fan. We know that had Reading been a little more adventurous, we might have actually got a result. But now that they have succeeded, we need to be prepared – more mentally than tactically – for the likes of Blackburn, Bolton, Everton, who might do something similar to Reading. If there was a chink in our armoury, it was witnessed today. And if these teams succeed, we would be looking at a season where we end our title defence without putting up a semblance of a fight.
They say great teams get results even when they are not playing well. Last year we did it. Arsenal conjured up a win in the dying seconds earlier yesterday after a mostly underwhelming second half. (In their defence, they did have quite a few good chances.)
So if we need to prove something to the rest of the league, we need to rise up to the challenge in midweek and the weekend after with some rousing performances. Or else… oh well! You know what!
Related items from Red Rants:
- How Did You Become A Manchester United Fan?
- Privacy Policy
- Manchester United players need to do better
- What Did We Learn from Deadline Day Transfers
- There’s More to United’s Season
Tags: Manchester United Fixtures
Opti (542)
Stephen (500)
RedDevilEddy (463)
Craig Mc (349)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
Grognard, i think you need More poise and composure in your assessment of United. Why dont you go and support Chelsea mate. Yesterday was a game we never looked like losing, so to be “in panic mode” after one game is, frankly, laughable. We battered them, their keeper had a blinder, man of the match in case you missed that bit while you were outside sulking, they defended like the 300 too. Get a grip mate or you’re gonna be having a seizure by Christmas.
Like?
0 
0
Gognard I do agree with you on the 10 men in the box … you are right that is bullshit. It does send the wrong message and is bad for the league moving forward if that becomes a form of defence … “the ten man wall” … there is no skill in that and if you need to play that time to move down or shrink the amount of teams in the league.
Like?
0 
0
well its nice to see things fall apart for all y’all considering the fact that you beat us to the shield…well lets see how well you cope no without you golden boy…its so sad to see you guys play catch up so early…am sure you already know how the table would stand by May…1 – Chelsea,2-Assnal ,3 – Liverpond 4.- Manures…LOl…KTBFFH(KEEP THE BLUE FLAG FLYING HIGH)…peace…
Like?
0 
0
ryan i agree with you, though i belive that, that(;-)) formation could turn into a 4-3-3 or a 4-4-2 with carrick or hargreaves coming off for anderson(so he could play upfront with tevez), that will probably happen if if the play is doll and sour, or after 60 minutes its still 0-0 or 1-1, just shake things up a bit.
Like?
0 
0
big alex showed his silly side again yesterday……….why ON EARTH did he decide to put John oshea of all people in a more advanced position when michael carrick is far more suited in playing that role?!!?? surely it wuda been better playin oshea in a deeper position! daft old man. honestly
Like?
0 
0
Guys come on. SAF made some mistakes most notably the sales of Rossi and Smith. We now only have one fit striker and he hasn’t played for us before. Rossi or Smith coming on instead of O’Shea and Fletch might have made the difference yesterday. If anything SAF set his team up defensively. Why not put Nani left-mid from the start? that would have moved Evra to left back and gotten the God awful Silvestre out. We now need to beat both Pompey and City to avoid dropping off the pace. Last season showed what a good start to the season can do and if you slip behind now you might never come back from it.
Like?
0 
0
Firtst, Red Ranter good to see you back!
It’s true Reading was prepared.
And talk about a bad start, and this is probably the worst you could imagine.
I don’t care about the draw. But loosing Wayne.. and this is his third SAME injury for christ!
Anyway, I agree with the points you made. Silvestre is helpless. Evra could become a good winger,
but right now he is needed in the LB.
Also it really worries me that Tevez is the ONLY striker we got. Ole even fit can’t play a whole
game. So our hope lies on Tevez only. CAN ANYBODY TELL ME WHEN SAHA IS COMING BACK?
Like?
0 
0
Ronaldo is shite…at taking free kicks
He’s not consistent and doesn’t pose a threat on dead ball situations as Beckham did before. Hargreaves takes good free kicks, I think he, Tevez and Giggs should take our free kicks from now on!
Like?
0 
0
Although I was disappointed at the result, I was more than impressed after watching Carrick play. He is moving up more and if we had a decent, healthy striker, he would have had at least one assist. His one flaw is that he needs to finish. It’s a big flaw and he had a perfect opportunity on a volley that just went over the crossbar, but credit to Hahnneman for his efforts. As far as the rest of the team goes, it was frustrating to see Silvestre in at LB. Why hasn’t this guy been sold yet? At this point, all I would ask for in return would be that the purchasing team pays for his flight out of Manchester. I agree with the lineup posted above, but in the event we need more of an attacking players later in the game, I would put Dong or Eagles on the bench. Also, I would expect that Nani is subbed in at some point because I am confident Giggs will fade again, especially after playing a second game in a span of a few days. If I were SAF, I would save him for City next weekend.
Like?
0 
0
first of all id just like to agree that ronaldo isnt very good at free kicks and hopefully hargreaves and tevez can help us out on that 1, NOT GIGGS when was the last time he scored from a free kick? and i also think giggs cant take corners anymore i mean honestly nani whipped in a few good ones against chelsea. Im backing tevez to score atleast 2 goals and for us to completely demolish portsmouth. 4-0
Like?
0 
0
and im not at all worried about only having 1 striker in tevez cause he is really good and we have really good attacking midfielders like ronny giggs nani etc. so its not a biggie though we will miss wayne! GET WELL SOON WAYNE!!!
Like?
0 
0
let me put in a diff perspective of things..its sad to see wayne injured and he will be out for ong speel..but dont you guyz think that that will save saf the headache of selection..all those attacking options we got
Like?
0 
0
the bright side?
liverpool and chelsea meet up soon
the dark side?
chelsea will probably win
Like?
0 
0
I think SAF’s planning backfired a bit. He wanted to kill the game off early and then give Pique, etc a show. Unfortunately, our forwards could not finnish – shit happens sometimes. Intentions were good though.
However,
WE SHOULD NOT HAVE SOLD ROSSI!!!
I know he wanted to leave, but so did Ronaldo once…
I know we should not dwell on the past, but
WE SHOULD NOT HAVE SOLD ROSSI!!!
Anyways, I hope that some of the doubters can now see why we needed “2 Rooneys”?
I still maintain that the team played very well and we were unlucky not to score. Reading though defended brilliantly. I know we will score against Fulham – no need to panic.
Our team is great, but WE SHOULD NOT HAVE SOLD ROSSI!!!
Like?
0 
0
I think I forgot to mention that WE SHOULD NOT HAVE SOLD ROSSI!!!
Like?
0 
0
Blues_Godson – is the chelsea forums so incredibly boring you have to come
to a man united one?? yeah catch up, like chelsea will win all their 37 games
remaining, come back in may and i’ll congradulate you’s in you win.
hopefully on weds either saha or ole will be on the bench so least we have a striker to come on
and not o’shea (versatile as he is, striker i don’t think is one off them)
Like?
0 
0
To Ricky, I’m one of those ignorant North American fans that doesn’t know any better. When I write Man Yoo, I don’t mean it as an insult it just beats having to write the whole name down. I’ve seen others write it down and they were both supporters and non supporters of the team. As for putting the squad down after one game. Forgive me but I have noticed in the ultra competitive Prem, that a team cannot afford to squander any points, especially at home. You’ll hear from me on this in May should UNITED lose the Prem by a point or two. Even last year when they scored plenty of goals and attacked well, they still had plenty of trouble breaking down lesser clubs when they incorporated those tactics. They need to get wider and deeper and cross more balls in rather than trying to finesse their way through the pack. It is games like that where the golden right foot of David Beckham is missed and the aerial power of an out and out top striker. I love Rooney to death but I have always been of the opinion that he should eventually inherit the position of Paul Scholes which is as an attacking midfielder. He is very creative, good on the ball, passes well, works hard and tracks back. What he doesn’t do well is hold up a ball, is a poor header and even after all his beautiful goals, I still find him to be a poor finisher when placed in a classic goal poaching position. Most of his goals come on breaks where his running and skill on the ball comes into play. True strikers have an added instinct for being in goal poaching positions and they make something out of half chances. Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Didier Drogba are perfect examples. Tevez is similar to Rooney in style although despite his lack of height he is a better header and a strong finisher in a tight crowd. I still feel the ultimate striker for United would have been Huntelaar. Rooney is a god but imagine him as a second striker or attacking midfielder. I think that would free him up to really show his magic. Just a thought. And to any doubters, I bleed United red.
Like?
0 
0
Grognard sorry, didn’t mean to have a go, i understand lol, yeah i know what you mean
and totally understand, sorry if it seemed i was being a bit off a prick towards you
or something. i really think it was one off those days, if tomorrow night we cock up against
pompy then i will be worried! cause reading i bet will attack against chelsea and chelsea will end up ripping them to shreads, i hope im proved wrong.
lets hope we can see what tevez is made off now in the next few games.
and again im sorry Grognard.
Like?
0 
0
Guys I watched the match and im scared really scared.I think we lost our shape and our style of play.I also think this article is all wrong and the title should be United should learn not to be like arsenal.Let me explain.what we actually did was push reading into their own box which cramped up all the space and did not allow our wingers to use their pace.Thats the arsenal way.Ferdinand playing so far up the pitch is an example.Imagine if our mids played deeper in our own half and let them come to mark us.this would have left so much space up front for our wingers and strikers.It does not take einstein to figure that out.I mean you hearing this from a 16 year old.Our whole team pushing them back is just limiting our space.we were playin too much like arsenal.The arsenal way is not good for anything except high amounts of possession.As you will notice arsenals enormous amounts of possession.This tactic creates for boring lazy and lethargic football.Everyone was playing out of position just like arsenal.This is a major problem.What do you guys think?
Like?
0 
0
I just hoe the pompey game proves me wrong and that it was just a one off thing.O and guys please post your on whether im talking crap or not.
Like?
0 
0
@Ishaq
The tactic that you described is posession football. It was/is being used a lot by the Dutch national teams.
For this you need patience, LOTS of patience because the problem comes in when the other team decides not to “come mark you”. The Dutch usually ended up kicking the ball all over the pitch (at the back) which ends up being much more ineffective and ‘boring’. Because no one is attacking you, it is easy to lose concentration (this is especially bad for the first competitive game of the season). It is then that lapses/mispasses occur. Very dangerous (imagine having a striker like Drogba lurking around, just waiting for a mistake). This is not the United way. United play attacking football. Traditionally we attack in numbers and defend in numbers.
The problem with the Reading game was not the fact that we could not break them down. We did. The problem was that we did not take our chances (0/25). Unfortunately, united don’t have any lethal strikers (we might have had one in Rossi, not sure). Let’s all hope that Tevez is as lethal as we hope/believe he is.
Like?
0 
0
To BootifullGame. Before you accuse me of preferring Rossi to Tevez go back to School and learn how to read. I simply feel that YES Fergie and the club made a mistake getting rid of Rossi simply because he would be valuable insurance for us if one of our two strikers got hurt. He would have been the depth we are now sorely lacking. Only a complete toss pot would assume that Rossi was better than Tevez. We certainly cannot count on Saha or Solksjaer. GIVE ME A BREAK FOR CRYING OUT LOUD
Like?
0 
0