Manchester United continued their poor recent record by only managing a draw against Newcastle on Tuesday night.
But there were atlas signs of creative life again. Manchester United passed the ball forward quickly and with much more purpose than we have seen at any stage this season.
They may not have controlled possession in the way the manager Louis van Gaal likes. But they played more like Manchester United and the game was a really entertaining spectacle as a consequence.
Ander Herrera was one of Manchester United’s leading lights with his quick and penetrative passing in the number 10 role. He is popular amongst the United fans and here he provided genuine evidence that he can be playmaker in chief for the team.
Perhaps a main reason for the improved temp was the omission of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Juan Mata.
Schweinsteiger has been playing like a defender for much of the season, positioned ridiculously deep for a midfielder and regularly spotted in the last back position.
As for Mata, he is of course a tidy player and his presence would have perhaps improved United’s possessions tats. But possession is irrelevant if you don’t create chances and Herrera penetrates and drives forward in a way that Mata doesn’t.
Manchester United are a much better team with two wingers and Herrera in the hole, rather than the pedestrian Mata out wide on the right.
It would be a brave call to leave at a out of the game for Liverpool but the right decision.
