Apr 04
Versatility, Thy Name is United
We are playing Middlesbrough on Sunday, so we’ll get to talking about them, possibly from tomorrow. We have also discussed Vidic’s injury in the comments yesterday — always trust iron-man Vidic’s superhuman powers of recovery. He’s a tough lad and hopefully he should return in a little over three weeks, to put it more conservatively.
Apart from my usual daily updates — well, I try to make it daily — I do notice that I have written very few pure opinion pieces recently. So I thought I’d make up for that by talking about one facet of United’s play this season that could eventually prove to be decisive.
Manchester United, at the time of writing, sit pretty at the summit of the League and have one foot at the door to the semi-finals of the Chamions’ League. They aren’t in the FA Cup nor are they in the Carling Cup; collateral damage in the quest for bigger fish, one might argue. But the season has nonetheless been draining, without doubt.
Arsenal, for one, had an outstanding start to the season but followed that by petering down over the past month — reason for their dip, one may argue, was the lack of depth.
Rafa Benitez rotated his squad early on in his bid to keep his team fresh. But his side is in the reckoning on only one front, namely, the Champions’ League. Their reason — the back up weren’t really good enough to step into the shoes of the first team; this is in addition to the unsettling effects of frequent rotation.
Chelsea have had an underwhelming season due to a mix of infighting, a toad for a coach, and the departure of an inspirational manager. All this despite having one of the biggest squads. They still are in the reckoning for the League and the CL, but the doggedness that characterized them seem to have gone out of their system.
All this leads us to the question: Why are we doing so well? Fergie does rotate his side often; in fact, there have been times where I would gasp looking at the starting lineups, and yet we used to win comfortably. We did have a mini slump. Out of the top three we have lost the most games: four. Still we are sitting pretty at the top, five points ahead.
The most common reason touted around is the depth of our squad. But Chelsea also have a very deep squad. They have players who, on paper, could be better than some of our back ups. Yet they’ve uncharacteristically lost/drawn games they should have won.
The real answer, while risking oversimplification of things, lies in the versatility of our squad.
We have talked — mostly speculated — about how Carlos Queiroz and co wanted a more fluid formation, where players can switch in and out and adapt to various positions in the side. Contrary to popular belief, we have actually played pretty well in a 4-3-3 formation this season. Make no mistake, I still maintain that 4-4-2 is among our most productive lines of attack, but we have played a 4-3-3/4-5-1/4-2-3-1 much better than we’ve ever managed in the past. To put it more adeptly — and hence, to lead to the main point — we have been much more adaptive to changes in formation. Something that leads to a certain level of versatility.
Let’s take the defence, for instance. We know Vidic is injured, and it is a blow, so what does Fergie do? He would shift Brown to the centre, and bring in O’Shea, who could actually do a reasonable job all round the pitch. Gerard Pique can also play at right back as well as centre, although, thanks to Rio’s fitness, we have only used him sparingly. Owen Hargreaves, against Rome and Villa, showed his ability to play at right back.
In midfield we have a wealth of options. But the change in approach is very subtle. Scholes and Carrick, last season usually took a more withdrawn role in midfield, but this season they have shown their ability to adapt to the sort of midfield they are played in. In a three man midfield, Scholes alternates between dictating play from deep to allowing Anderson move forward. Carrick, while usually being withdrawn himself, has shown more drive moving forward and sending probing balls. However, Anderson ably showed his ability of playing deep against Liverpool and Arsenal — even managing to overshadow his pre-eminent midfield counterparts in Gerrard and Fabregas. And in case of injury and a few players needing rest, Fletcher manfully stepped in and did the job — cue the 4-0 win over Arsenal.
In attack, Rooney, Tevez, Ronaldo and (even Park) have played up front as well as wide and done well. Our forward line is at its destructive best when players interchange unpredictably, with the sort of telepathic understanding that terrifies the best. It is this precise ability to adapt to different positions, and hence the players’ versatility in those positions — apart from Ronaldo’s unbelievable form — that we’ve managed to bang goals in without the need for a proper target man.
It’s been an exciting season so far. I don’t want to tempt fate anymore by creaming over our brilliance. But I would say, and hopefully even the neutrals would concur that, we are the most deserving of winning the Premier League. And if you think about it, considering Barcelona’s wretched form all season, we also look to have done well enough to deserve a Champions’ League. But then, I would be jumping the gun a bit…
… so over to you boys.
Related items from Red Rants:- Manchester United Season Review | Part I | The Defence
- Fletch Wants To Stay. Do You Want Him?
- Manchester United 07/08 Season Preview
- A disgruntled fan’s views on the Barca game
- Daily Roundup: Rooney-Tevez, Rossi-Pique and Eagles
Tags: Opinions/Columns
April 4th, 2008 at 10:30
These are exciting times for all United fans. Whatever happens on May, I’ll be satisfied because I’ll know that I’ve watched some exhilarating football this year. Don’t get me wrong, I want the PL and CL trophies as much as all of us, but the fantastic football displayed every week by our team is a luxury no other fans have.
April 4th, 2008 at 10:44
Good to have regular doses of opinion pieces. Thats the USP of this blog. The ROM blog is another favorite of mine with the blogger - Scott’s taste for rewinds into the history, and its updated more regularly. But if its a balanced opinion and some passionate discussions I want to be involved in this is where I head to.
Coming to the article, spot on with the versatility observation. If we can get Lahm and Benzema this summer, we will more or less have a team which can play total football in the mold of the legendary Cruyff and the Ajax and Holland teams of the 70s.
April 4th, 2008 at 10:56
I just can’t help but fear for the PL. It would be so, just like Chelsea to come back and nick it in the end. With a goal difference -20 of ours, and having barely held it togehter for long parts of the season. Make no mistake, that would be down to us and would be our inability to close out the season, but I just don’t have a great feeling.
The good news is that Arsenal should be tired after 3 straight pool matches, and if they lose tomorrow pretty much disillusioned for the league title. For me it’s simple, draw/win at the bridge and it’s our title. That is still a daunting prospect though, particularly with a half fit Vidic trying to contain Drogba.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:13
Versatility? NO ! FUCK NO ! I CALL IT TALENT.Anyway, we agree. We are the most talented team and the most well trained team. Everyone does his job and adds to the team with his own powers.We ‘re not the industrious Arsenal-machine but we still play the best winning-football.I UNDERLINE “WINNING”.That’s cause Fergie lets our players make their own thing in the game.The interchanging is something that Fergie made them do , but stil the decision is theirs.Those kill-the-defence movements by Ronaldo,on and off the ball, those spectacular Rooney assists , the Carrick passing etc. all these come from the players’ talent. I ‘d like to see more of it every day. In fact, I ‘m a little bit addicted to the Reds.
I mean this connection between the players is not just training.It ’s the luck of having some of the greatest players in your squad. And that’s for uears to come. I’m sure that we shall win the premiership. As for the CHL I don’t really care that much.I think it’s the tactics that win it.Long time ago,it was the team winning it.Now,it’s the team + the tactics.
P.S.I must add that another reason for our winning skill is Rio’s and Ronaldo’s out of mind form.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:25
Versatility-ummmmm!. If we lose at the last hurdle, it will be down to Fergie tampering with formations again. Surely, in these last few games, we should play our best eleven. But in away games that are tricky, M’Boro, Chelsea and Blackburn who we have struggled against in the past, Fergie is right when he says we need to have our defense in perfect form. However, after what I have read this morning, about Fergie flashing his manhood again over Hargreaves being mere seconds late, and Fergie flashing his what-not telling the lad he is not playing as a result, BUT BEING PUNISHED - I think the last poster is right to fear. Fergie’s pride got rid of Stam, Beckham, Ruud, and so many others, at the wrong time for the club too. I don’t care if Hargo was just a couple of secs late, as is implied, the team should not be deprived in these important away games because Fergie has a strop on. If we are not at our strongest defensively in v. important games away, then blame Fergie and his ‘punishements’ for messing things up. Now I AWAIT THE BACKLASH!. But it won’t make a difference to how I feel about Fergie’s pettiness at important times for us.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:39
Craig mc: Firstly the article (if true) suggests he was late on several occasions. If Hargreaves can’t be assed making team meetings on time on a regular basis then he doesn’t deserve to be in the team. Football managers need to maintain authority of their players to ensure that they motivate and respect them. What you deem as pettiness, is a process that is required to keep the squad in line. The man has decades of experience in man management of footballers. I think I will trust his judgement over the required disciplinary measures for tardiness. At any rate Hargreaves own form has hardly merited inclusion in front of Carrick or Scholes now, has it?
April 4th, 2008 at 11:59
For the record RR, Hargo was not rb in rome he was DM. I also understand that players need 2 be disciplined etc and i trust he’ll quickly adjust.But 2 say he has not justified his inclusion due 2 recent perfomances then has anderson done that going by his recent perfomances.Hargo slotted in seamlessly into our mid when he came.Remember that away 2 arsenal and liverpool his combo with andy was instrumental.I have not seen a game he har played and not come up as one of the better players
April 4th, 2008 at 12:13
By the way i don’t see any sense in marginalising a player like hargo when he was brought in for the purpose of dealing with world class attackers like kaka who carrick had no clue as how 2 stop.Hargo completely shadowed the same player 2 anonymity.He was the star in madrid.What i fear is a situation were he is thrown in2 the mix at the nou camp after not getting enough game time and understandably failing 2 cope.Carrick is great but if he failed at the san siro i don’t see him succeeding at barca whereas not many players have come top over hargo even at their own grounds.eg kaka,guti,deco
April 4th, 2008 at 12:20
He(owen) needs to understand that fergie is in charge,so whatever he says goes no matter how wrong he might think it is.Secondly as a senior player and a candidate to be united captain he should be assed about arriving in time
April 4th, 2008 at 14:07
that is so true, that is 1 of the reasons why we have been successful this season, i mean in the roma match hargreaves in the rm postion also, it is quite amazing.
April 4th, 2008 at 16:41
the bit on fergie disciplining hargreaves for being late is a bogus, made-up story. don’t believe all the BS you read.
April 4th, 2008 at 16:59
everyone gonna love this ronaldinho is out for 6weeks which means he’ll miss the semi-finals!!
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3384509,00.html
April 4th, 2008 at 17:02
no ronaldinho, no messi, eto out of form, the only fret is bojan. this could be united CL year.
April 4th, 2008 at 17:19
Jay Wire - your the man!. So glad you were watching the same games that I was watching when Hargo played - he was excellent. JB - please tell me the matches you watched, where Hargo didn’t merit his inclusion?. Arsenal, L’pool, Fulham, Roma away games - he was MEGA mate. And in every game he has had to suffice with mini minutes on the pitch, he was good too. Soooooooo!. Ahmed, I don’t believe all the BS I read, but then I don’t always believe the denials that come from clubs are necessarily true either, no matter who’s mouth they come out of!. No smoke without fire, and Hargo has only played every 3 to 4 games and even then some were cameo roles. I don’t think Hargo can be all that bad at timekeeping, because he came to us from a German club, and we all know how DISCIPLINED the Germans are. Hargo sweated blood bringing much wrath on himself to get his move from Bayern to United, so he deserves more pitch time.
April 4th, 2008 at 17:24
Dan - are you sure, Messi won’t make it to the semis?
To me, versatility is just a word of many to describe this team. Actually I think it’s better to just say that we have so many good players, and that tte backups are so good and experienced now that we can pull off the two titles.
April 4th, 2008 at 17:27
you see craig, i personally believe that hargos best performance this season was agains spurs in the FA cup, but the irony is, it was that game that turned everyone against him, they said he was below poor if memory serves correct, even with all the bad talk, everytime he plays, he plays with confidence, maturity and efficiently.
Tomas, last time i heard, he was out of the first leg and possibly the second. if he’s fit now then he has had a speedy recovery and is ahead of time.
April 4th, 2008 at 17:47
[Dan]
He was always expected to be back well ahead of the semis. He was ruled out of the quarters. Although now he has returned to Barcelona from his rehabilitation in Argentina, and according to him, given a chance he could even play this weekend. Barca don’t want to rush him that’s all.
April 4th, 2008 at 17:53
oh ok, but still they have 2 players that can cause us problems, but the thing is, we have a whole team that can cause problems.
April 4th, 2008 at 17:54
Dan(u-ol), glad your a Hargo fan too. Hargo has never got low markings for any of the matches he has played in according to media match stats!. We have 3 away games where we have struggled before, M’boro, Chelsea and B’burn. I think we need a defensive midfielder in front of the back four in those games. Three offensive midfielders were not exactly the BIZ in the Roma game were they. We cannot afford to lose these away games. If we can beat Boro and B’burn, and sneak a draw or win at Chelsea, and do Arsenal at Old Trafford, I think we have won the league then. A draw at Chelsea, would get us the title on goal average, providing we win the next 3 games. We won’t need to worry about West Ham or Wigan then.
April 4th, 2008 at 18:41
That story about Hargo being late is such Bollocks. Really, when we start buying into shit disturbing barnyard journalism we become victims of our own paranoia. Hargo was a consummate professional at Bayern Munich and he has come out in interviews praising both Fergie and the positive atmosphere at OT as being the best he has ever been around. Jay Wire and Craig are so right to see the contribution and value that Hargo is bringing to the club. However, I do not think you are marginalizing him by making him the choice at RWB. For me, that position is more vital than that of a holding midfielder. Getting crosses in and or getting around the ends can harm a defense far more than congested play up the middle. Besides, playing the RWB position also gives Owen a chance to be more adventurous in attack, which he is quite good when allowed the opportunity. He runs and dribbles well and hed is a sublime crosser of the ball.
As for how the team should handle the Vidic injury crisis. Play Hargo at RB, BROWN and RIO at CB and EVRA at LWB. This still gives us flexibility in reserve with O’Shea and Pique and possibly even Silvestre and Neville. In Europe I would play 4-5-1 with Hargo as the holding midfielder, Brown at RB with Rio and O’Shea at CB and Evra on the LWB side. Either one will do until Vidic returns.
As for Messi, I watched an interview with him on tv yesterday where he said he was certain to be back for the semi-final first leg. So what? He’s human and he should have a lot of rust. Look how long it has taken Rooney to find his shooting form since returning from injury. Barcelona does not scare me. They simply are not as good as they used to be. Still to be respected but our team should prevail. But lets get Rome out of the way first.
April 4th, 2008 at 19:18
bs story about hargo..but i think on current situation with scholes and carrick in a top form it’s better to stick with these two..hargo can come at 2nd half to maintain our lead or to replace ando (sometime he seems to be off form)..but i think next season we will start seeing hargo in the 1st team as scholes will taste his age coming at him like giggs..hoho
sorry for my english..
April 5th, 2008 at 9:48
Grognard - I absolutely agree with you on Barcelona. They’re no where near the strength of 2 years ago. They were lucky to beat Schalke, and I wouldn’t be too sure, the germans can’t upset them at Camp Nou.
Barca now lack confidence big time, especially in defense. I’ve watched them on many occasions this season, and even Puyol doesn’t look as good as most people think he is. Obviously they, like us, have dangerous players up front who can turn games around, but I honestly think they should fear us more, than we should fear them. After all, our defense has been rock solid so far even against really strong teams.
It’s never going to be easy against a team like Barcelona of course, but I’d bet on us for sure against them.
The good thing about the Roma result is that now SAF can bench Ronaldo and Rooney in the second leg. It’s not like we don’t have quality to replace them with, and I’m sure that a forward line-up of Tevez, Giggs and Nani would cause them enough problems. Should they score - enter 2 times R. But at some point they’ll need some rest, and to me next wednesday is the perfect opportunity. I’m not sure that even Roma believe they can beat us at home.
What I’m also saying is that don’t rest the 2 stars against Middlesborough tomorrow, because every away game is crucial in the PL. And if everything goes by the plan, both Arsenal and Chelsea will drop points today, which will mean that we can basically kill off the PL by winning tomorrow.
Come on you Reds.