Manchester United fans find themselves in a bizarre situation at present. Because, despite having the title in the bag by early April, there is lingering sense of disappointment around the club. Just a few weeks ago everything seemed possible and another historic treble was projected by some.
But in a perfect illustration of how geared to success the club has become, despite extinguishing the title anguish of last year, it still feels to many as if Manchester United have under-achieved this season.
Various factors have blunted the team at crucial times. RVP stopped scoring when Manchester United needed him most. The wide men have under-performed. And there is a case to be made for the notion that Sir Alex Ferguson got some big selection decisions wrong – most notably, in dropping Wayne Rooney for the Real Madrid game and playing such a strong team in a dead rubber against Sunderland, just 48 hours before the cup replay against Chelsea.
This summer should see the traditional evolution, rather than revolution, in terms of playing staff at Manchester United. Despite the continued calls for a world class central midfielder, we feel that it’s the wide areas that need most attention. Especially if United want to continue with a 4-4-2.
Nani is starting to look worse than me on a football pitch. His flashes of brilliance are becoming ever more rare and its surely now time for him to move on. Manchester United need a natural left footer for the left flank. Gareth Bale would be hugely expensive but would solve the problem long-term.
Ashley Young He has only been at Manchester United for 2 seasons but Fergie should have no room for sentiment here. Young has proven time and again that he simply isn’t good enough for Manchester United. He’s a water-carrier playing in a creative position that requires thrust, daring and skill. I have never seen a winger play the ball back to his full-back more than Young. Meek, uninventive and no armoury to scare a defender. Get rid Fergie.
Anderson He came at the same time as Nani and has been similarly disappointing. Popular with the crowd for his wholeheartedness in the tackle, but injuries and inconsistency are consigning him to the peripheries. Sadly it’s probably time for the Brazilian Terry Gibson to depart.
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realist
Apr 3, 2013 at 9:53 am
Not sure what case you can make for saying the boss got his selection wrong in the madrid game to be honest. i thought it was widely accepted at the time that the surprise selections in the team were our better players on the night, and as a whole the team played very well indeed!
karlo
Apr 3, 2013 at 11:20 am
This is so true fergies tactics for the Real game were spot on only for a mad decision
by the ref his plan would of worked and also i wouldn`t call a fa premier league match a
dead rubber i`ve read this a few times about the Sunderland match the league should always
be prioritised before the cup so i really don`t see where he went wrong, you have to be able to
see the bigger picture over the course of a full season to be a good manager thats why its funny
reading criticism of great managers of the likes of fergie or ancelotti by unqualified people. Its obvious that Nani will
go and possibly Anderson but Young i can`t see that happening he`ll be given more time if you look at the time the other two were afforded Young would be given the same chance.