Did Man Utd go to sleep?

At about 2.10pm on Sunday 22nd April at Old Trafford, the champagne could have been put on ice for next Monday evening, the people who polish the Premier League trophy could have thought about leaving the red and white ribbons on for this season.

68 minutes into the league encounter with Everton, Manchester United took a 4-2 lead thanks to a well converted strike from Nani.  Twenty odd minutes left to endure, to see out the game and take a seven point lead into the Manchester derby at the Ethiad Stadium next Monday evening.

Yet a resilient Everton still smarting from a FA Cup semi-final defeat last weekend to their neighbours Liverpool, showed a true case of character as they scored two goals to snatch a 4-4 draw and spoil the Red Devils party atmosphere.  It was no surprise that once Everton got their 3rd goal the heavens opened to rain on the parade.

Yet this should not be considered a case of complacency or taking Everton lightly, as each goal the blue shirted men scored was true and down to their hard work throughout the game.  No deflected shots to bemoan, no dodgy officiating decision to bitch about - Everton scored four goals at Old Trafford and did not lose, they were value for the draw.

Everton took the lead, Nikica Jelavic sending a far post header back across a statuesque David de Gea.  United rightly responded with a Rooney header to equalise before half-time.

In the second half, United continued to prosper with Danny Welbeck curling a beautiful shot from the edge of the box when he sold a dummy to buy space.  Then Rooney rounded off a smart passing move to take a 3-1 lead, yet the Toffeemen would not go away.  Marouane Fellaini converted a Tony Hibbert cross with a smart volley when given room by the less than impressive Jonny Evans.

Then Nani's strike came to give a two goal cushion, yet their was never an air of comfort throughout the stadium.  And yet David Moyes did not give up.  Before the scoreline became 4-2, he introduced James McFadden a striker to operate as a man in the hole behind Jelavic and Fellaini who were becoming a handful for Rio Ferdinand and Evans.

McFadden became a passing option, his movement across in front of the front two becoming a worry as to who was to track him.  Phil Neville would then launch a ball into the box to the towering Fellaini.  The presence worked as both Ferdinand and Evans went to challenge for the aerial delivery, that left Jelavic free to convert his second with a sweetly struck volley from the dropping ball.

Immediately, after that Moyes brought on Tim Cahill for Sylvain Distin to throw caution to the wind and this added attacking presence led to the naivety of Rafael de Silva in defence to be shown up.  A neat passing move between Steven Pienaar and Fellaini led to Pienaar with acres of space to convert the equaliser.  Whilst people are pointing the finger at De Silva, Paul Scholes was also drawn into the ball rather than tracking the run of Pienaar who was untouched and ghosted into the path of Fellaini's return ball.

So yes maybe United did go to sleep, and Ferguson did bemoan the lack of his defence to stand up and be counted but this does a disservice to Everton's wonderful play and taking part in a great advert for the Premier League.

Thanks to Man City's 2-0 win at Wolves, City are three points behind and will go ahead of United on goal difference should they win next Monday.  City have the initiative, they have a home game and you can expect the atmosphere will be fierce.  Yet United can afford to draw and attempt to not lose, as they have games remaining afterwards against Swansea and Sunderland.

Ferguson says the ball is in City's court, yet United just have to go and not lose the game next week.  The emphasis is on City, if they want to win this League they better go and win this game.

Fergie's Cock-up

Sir Alex Ferguson was celebrating his 70th birthday in the New Year, another milestone to go along with his 25th year in charge at Old Trafford.  Yet as with 20 years ago, when one Dennis Bailey scored a hat-trick for QPR in a famous 4-1 victory on Fergie's 50th birthday, away teams do not seem to read the script. 

The stage was set.  Manchester United joint top on points with their city rivals, City who played the day after at Sunderland, so the opportunity was there to get a lead over them.  And the fixture machine gave them bottom of the table Blackburn Rovers at home, although heartened by a gritty point away at Anfield, this is still a team without an away win all season.  The chance was there for the taking, yet the underdog had bite.

Blackburn Rovers were led impressively by their lead man Yakubu who ended up scoring twice, and the eventual winner came from the unheralded Grant Henley with 10 minutes remaining for a famous victory and extend the stay of execution for Steve Kean, who was supported in the build up to the game by SAF saying he should be given a chance to save Blackburn.

Kean and his spirited side were helped by an odd team selection by the elder statesman.  A squad that has been ravaged by injuries in defence and midfield led to a centre back pairing of Phil Jones and Michael Carrick; a central midfield duo of Antonio Valencia and Ji-Sun Park, with Danny Welbeck marooned on the left wing with Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov up front with Wayne Rooney omitted from the squad altogether. 

(It transpired that SAF disciplined Rooney, Darron Gibson and Jonny Evans for an ill-advised piss up on Boxing Day night which led to them being physically unable to train on Dec 27th.  Rooney admits he was fine to train, yet the punishment was handed out).

This was a bizarre thing for Ferguson to do; something as trivial as footballers drinking should be dealt in-house.  Ferguson must have thought that dropping Rooney would not warrant a mention, nor turn a head; all the more the media would be on his side.

Yet I feel he was very arrogant in choosing the Blackburn game to drop three players from - three players who would have all started more than likely - as he felt the strength of his squad would see them past the bottom side in the League quite easily.  The sheer arrogance came back to bite him on the behind.

A penalty against Berbatov for a clear shirt pull led to Blackburn's opener coolly converted by Yakubu, then Yakubu's sheer physical presence led to the 2-0 advantage as he powered past an out of sorts Carrick and a fortuitous ricochet to fire past David de Gea who was recalled over Anders Lindegaard.

Yet count Man.United out at your peril as Berbatov quickly replied a minute after the second goal, and then got his second ten minutes later.  You would have expected United to convert their momentum to a victory, yet it was Blackburn who got their third goal first and eventual winner; a goal which showed the falliability of the makeshift United defence as Henley cleanly outjumped a flapping de Gea and then easily headed in the dropping ball at the second opportunity against a lead footed Rafael on the line.

Luckily for United and Ferguson, there was a silver lining as City suffered their second defeat of the season at resurgent Sunderland as a last minute winner by Ji gave Martin O'Neill's side the spoils.

Both Manchester sides were guilty of not converting chances and heaps of possession; yet for Ferguson the chance to leapfrog their rivals has gone.  He may rely again on Liverpool defeating a mentally flustered City side working on one day's rest, whilst United travel to Newcastle.

The title race may well go to the wire, and longer than you think if managers intend to dismiss lesser teams in this division with this awful team selection.

Winter of their Discontent

Manchester United are in trouble.  It is not hard to see why, but it is a shame that it has come to this.  On Wednesday night they are eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage - the first finalist from the year before to not reach the knockout stage the following season.

United are out of Europe, although they are physically now in the Europa League mentally they will not be competing.  Following the FA Cup draw last Sunday, they have been drawn away to neighbours Man City in the third round of the world's most prestigious cup competition.  It now bears out that following the first weekend in January, Man United - the champions of Europe - may only be fighting on two fronts and after the hurried Christmas schedule they could be further behind the same City neighbours in the title chase, and even behind current third place Tottenham who are undefeated in 11 games, with winnable encounters before the 22nd Dec match with Chelsea.

Man United are in a bit of a tailspin, following their shooting out of the blocks in August and September which included the 8-2 home win over Arsenal; United are suffering on many fronts - they are not scoring goals, they are not dominating games, they are suffering a whole host of injuries and players are playing low on confidence due to a collective loss of form.

Starting from the back - David de Gea was signed with many worrying over his transferring to a new league and a new country; he has not disappointed being at fault for several goals including the first at Basle on Wednesday night.  The keeper needs to be a leader from behind, and currently the defence are not assured of his positioning, handling and control.

Constant injuries to the back line mean a lack of continuity and consistency - both Ferdinand and Vidic suffered injuries in the first few weeks meaning an elevation for Phil Jones and Chris Smalling who faired admirably, now Vidic is out for the season suffering medial ligament damage in Switzerland.  Jones will have to play the rest of the season at the back, great for his English aspirations but not the best situation for United for the remainder of the campaign.

The midfield has suffered from the retirement of Paul Scholes and the lack of play for Ryan Giggs (who was United's best player on Wednesday), yet you cannot rely on a 37 year old to lead a midfield.  Tom Cleverly was doing really well yet his creativity is definitely missing from United, Michael Carrick is a good passer but lacks the creative impulse to grab a game by the scruff of the neck like a Gerrard or Scholes might.  Nani has been hot and cold like he always is, Anderson is a mis-step and Ashley Young is suffering from injuries himself.

Upfront, Ferguson appeared to find a brilliant partnership between Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck until Welbeck pulled up with a hamstring in that 8-2 victory and yet Rooney has not seemed the same player since Montenegro where he was sent off following the arrest of his uncle for match fixing.  Rooney has been playing with a cloud over his head since late October and is struggling to score.

United are still winning games but without that zest and dominance of past seasons, winning 1-0 away from home at Swansea and Villa. Victories but unconvincing ones do little for faith and confidence from the stands.

In some respects, I wish that United had done the impossible at Wembley in May against Barcelona and defeat one of the best teams of all time.  If that had happened, Alex Ferguson might well have retired and walked out on his terms (much like Tony La Russa with baseball's St.Louis Cardinals) with his work complete.  United would have been the undisputed best team in Europe, League Champions and Champions League winners (for a 3rd time) instead Ferguson is walking around looking for the perfect ending.  He has put his money were his mouth is and bought in young talent (Jones, Young, de Gea) coupled with rejuvenated youngsters from loans (Cleverley, Welbeck) to try and create another famous side.  This side's inexperience with European football was most abundant in the group stages as they struggled to win at home against Basle and Benfica.  Maybe next season in the Champions League will be the time for them.

However, now it looks like the ambitions for the season have altered due to the dominance of City's squad, this is a squad game now in the Premier League, City's 25 is much better than United's and they are scoring at will.  City will fluff their lines at some point this season, oddly they have saved their banana skins for Europe and facing Napoli.  United went through this last year and went on to win the league by some distance in the end.

Ferguson has seen it all in his 25 years, but I am not sure he has ever seen a more inept and embarassing performance as that on Wednesday night.  Now he must become accustomed to Thursday night, Sunday afternoon football in February and March, as will City.

Yet since the 6-1 demolition at Old Trafford, City are still moving forward wheres we are still awaiting a United response.  And as the nights get longer, there will be plenty for Ferguson to mull over this winter.

Premier League Review - 15th August 2011

And we are off.  The 20th Premier League season has begun, with less fanfare than recent years.  Perhaps it is because it has not come on the back of another dismal international campaign by our ever failing national team.  The constant rumours of transfer dealings occuring between London and Barcelona, and Manchester and Milan or Argentina seems to have taken most of the headlines. 

However, Manchester now holds two title contenders with one still firmly set in the west of London.  With two more in the northern territory of the capital with a sleeping giant of Liverpool attempting to waken from a season of slumber of last year.  Liverpool aim to recapture glory by splashing out, all for the guarantee of the treasured fourth place.  Seemingly, the season looks like a three-horse race for the title with three gunning for one place.

Arsenal gained 4th place and yet with the departure now of club captain, Cesc Fabregas to his beloved Barcelona, the future seems uncertain at the Emirates.  The talisman has gone, leaving two teenagers to protect a midfield.  The opportunity for Liverpool or Tottenham to snatch fourth is there.

I predicted a top 4 of United, Chelsea, City and Liverpool, if Fabregas was sold.  Now I look assured in my selection.

As for the first weekend of action, well following on from the thrilling Community Shield at Wembley last week goals were hard to come by for the most exciting league in the world.

The most goals came at Loftus Road for the returning Queens Park Rangers, who were dealt a harsh lesson, being virtually abused by Bolton who ran out 4-0 victors with goals from Gary Cahill, Ivan Klasnic, Federic Mulumbu and an own goal.  QPR will have to get to grips quickly, and use Bolton as a model of stability and continuity to succeed in the division.

Wolves who survived by three minutes on the last day last season, ran out 2-1 victors away at Blackburn who look like they may encounter problems due to a lack of potency up front.  Whilst Wolves look stable, have talent and in signing Jamie O'Hara from Tottenham have got their own talisman.

Liverpool for all their money and new faces ran out of steam at home to Sunderland in a 1-1 draw.  For the first half they were irresistible, with Adam spreading play and Downing finding woodwork on dazzling run.  Yet Sunderland, who themselves have splashed out this summer, found an equaliser from Seb Larsson a steal from Birmingham. Both sides need time to gel with the new faces, Liverpool need immediate results whilst Sunderland can have a chance at a Europa League place on either league finish or cup run.

Fulham and Villa cancelled each other out at Craven Cottage, expect more from both sides especially the attacking nature of Martin Jol's side.

At Newcastle, in another goalless draw, Arsenal seemed to have the same problems in any season.  All flair and technical prowess with no finishing touch.  The Gunners had enough possession to dominate but chances went begging and the loss of Gervinho for raising his hands to Joey Barton did not do any favours.  Newcastle have Barton who provides passion, but without Kevin Nolan (West Ham) and Jose Enrique (Liverpool), plus the loss of Andy Carroll it could be a long haul on Tyneside.

Andre Vilas-Boas' first game for Chelsea at Stoke was largely forgettable, but for some penalty appeals.  Typically physical at the Britannia, Fernando Torres found some form but no final quality, but AVB will have the familiar problem of attempting to keep Torres, Anelka and Drogba all happy.  The 4-3-3 formation with Torres leading Malouda and Ramires of him.  Stoke again are a sum of all their parts but with a back four that include Upson, Woodgate, Shawcross and Huth it looks formidable.

The champions returned at the Hawthorns, where last season they had their worst performance and prompted Gary Neville's retirement, on this occasion they ran out 2-1 victors thanks to the work of Ashley Young who set up Wayne Rooney for the first and then his dribble and pass led to the own goal of the winner.  Although new goalkeeper, David de Gea again fluffed his lines in conceded WBA's equaliser, though for a young man to come to a new culture he has still a lot of adjusting and this will come in time.  Otherwise, the movement and passing of United led by the growing maturity of Tom Cleverley in midfield means Alex Ferguson finally has the youth coming through and in Young and De Gea the notable signings to match the demands.  But for their awful away form last year, they would have won the title at a canter.  Last year's team would have drawn yesterday, today's team won, albeit somehow, which shows why they are the team to beat.

Tonight, Manchester City host Swansea City at the City of Manchester Stadium.  United have laid down a marker, can City reply and with Sergio Aguero not likely to feature the reliance will be on Balotelli and Dzeko to lead from the front.