Wayne Rooney as depicted by The Bald Tiler
Paul Lambert knows what he’s doing
We had a feeling that Paul Lambert was a really good manager in the making, but he had a terrible start to his career at Aston Villa, and serious questions have already been asked about his future at the club. But even in defeat, those doubts should be postponed, for now. Lambert is making root and branch changes to Aston Villa and, on this evidence, the club will come out the other end much stronger. They were superb against United, showing skill, cohesion and great spirit – they were desperately unlucky to end the game with nothing.
Manchester United must stop taking it from behind
If Manchester United continue to go behind they will eventually come unstuck. Even if they do come through most of these encounters unscathed in the early season, it must take a huge amount out of the legs each week when you are chasing games. Unless they tighten up at the back and start taking the lead in games, they may find that there is little left in the tank for comebacks by spring time. However, they do remain the most exciting team to watch on a weekly basis.
Benteke will be a top player
Serious questions were asked of Paul Lambert’s judgement in keeping Bent benched. But, even at 21, Benteke is a tank of a man and has the skill to go with his physical strength. He looks like a superb buy and can only improve with time. Surely there is room for both when Bent is fit though?
Ashley Young is not United quality
Booed at every touch on his old ground. But, after a dire 45 minutes, we began to wonder whether the boos were coming from the home or away fans. Ashley Young is little more than a poor man’s Ji Sung Park. He’s got a good engine and his tracking back is decent – but he’s supposed to be a forward. In an attacking sense he is nowhere. He rarely causes the full backs any problems and, more often than not, simply passes back to Evra when in possession. Never takes on his man. Never has his head up in the final third. Never shows any guile. Goes down too easily. Not Manchester United quality. A squad player to be used at home to Reading when the others need a rest.
Chicharito – better off the bench?
After scoring 7 goals in 4 games for his club the arguments for starting Chicharito are becoming increasingly relevant. But is the fastest player in The Premier League showing such worth precisely because he is coming on when the opposition are tired? Would the Mexican have found such space and time had he been on from the start? We think that he can be effective from the start or off the bench and also think that Wayne Rooney is perfect in the deep lying Scholes role. At any rate, it’s very encouraging for Manchester United fans to see that Javier Hernandez has returned to top form. Manchester United are going to be serious challengers for the top prizes at home and abroad this season.
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