The result on Sunday finally laid bare the problems that have been building in Manchester United’s play over the last few weeks – a period in which the team has stopped winning matches.
But even when Manchester United have been in trouble in the past, they have always remained exciting to watch.
Ex-Manchester United boss Ron Atkinson once said:
“There is nothing more exciting in football than watching Manchester United chase a game.”
I wonder if he was watching the game on Sunday? A game in which Manchester United had nearly half an hour to rouse themselves after going one behind?
Because, quite frankly, it was boring to watch.
In times past United would have been camped on the opposition 18 yard line, pressing intensely, in wave after wave, for points of weakness and usually finding one.
But when Manchester United went behind on Sunday the tempo didn’t change. They simply continued to pass the ball around the defence in a slow and ponderous manner until time ran out. There was no urgency. No speed of play. Nothing spectacular at all.
On Sunday we found ourselves drifting in and out of the match when normally, in a situation like this, it would have made for absolutely compelling viewing.
The most worrying aspect then of the current United incarnation is that they aren’t even exciting to watch. Ahead or behind, they are one-paced and confused.
Manchester United fans: where has the fizz gone?
