The root of Manutd Problems
Two years ago Man utd won the league with a 11 points cushion. Despite this incredible success we all knew where our problems lied
One of these problems for example was in the attack. An attack that could enchant but was too lightweight to give us the options needed to win again the CL.
Another problem was Steve Mclaren’s departure that left SAF alone on the throne of the Manutd’s empire
Yet our main problem relied in the defense. With Johnsen and May suffering serious long-term injuries and with Irwin too old to reach Manutd’s standards, It was obvious we needed to strengthen the defense.
It was obvious that Manutd was ready to spend big that year. After all it was SAF last year and he had the entire financial backup needed to finish the season with style.
SAF wisely signed Ruud Van Nistelrooy but instead of investing heavily in the defense (which we really needed) he brought in Veron (a good player but not what we needed). His policy was to score one more than his rivals and with Jaap Stam guarding the backline, SAF was certain to have a decent defense
What SAF didn’t considered was Stam’s diary. SAF grew furious about this issue and despite needing Stam badly, he preferred to let Stam go rather than give up to his pride. Stam was sold and Manutd fell into a panicky status. Who could replace Stam especially now when the CL was at the doors? SAF did his best to sign Ayala, but Valencia like other many clubs weren’t reluctant in breaking their backline to strengthen their enemy.
Blanc was SAF ‘s desperate answer to the defense. The 36 year old defender had the experience needed to lead a defense and although his serious lack of pace which was the driving force why Inter weren’t utilizing him anymore, in that critical moment Blanc seemed the best option.
Meanwhile Manutd were passing from a crisis. Goals against us were flowing and the scoring rate wasn’t satisfying. It grew obvious that Scholes wasn’t cut anymore for the forward line and with a lone striker Manutd were suffering. Blanc’s and Veron’s impact wasn’t bad but far from what we expected and miles away from the red devils standards. The 4-4-1-1 formation wasn’t working and despite inserting first Scholes and later Giggs, it grew obvious that we desperately needed to return to our roots.
But how? Letting his 28-M rated Veron sitting on the bench while playing the 4-4-2 formation was too much for SAF. It meaned admitting defeat, something he never and will never do in his career. Cole knew his manager well and with a World cup approaching, Andy was forced to leave his beloved club to try to fulfill his ultimate ambition, playing with England.
SAF is proud but not stupid. With Manutd reaching ridiculous depths, he swiftly turned the team’s formation to the traditional 4-4-2, with Solskjear and RVN playing up front. The defense was in a terrible state but the goals returned and this was enough to trigger us back. Manutd returned to its former glory, perhaps too late but still battling for the EL.
With Cole at Blackburn. Manutd were now forced to splash cash for an attacker. Many where cup tied so a South American seemed to be the wisest option.. SAF relied on his brother and the name Forlan pipped out. Re- assured by Mclaren’s incredible interestment, SAF went in and signed the guy.
The 4-4-2 formation was bringing some pride to OT yet playing Veron part time (with Scholes) was
too much for SAF. Both Scholes and Veron seemed unhappy of the situation and knowing that all Manutd supporters (+ board) would have preferred losing Veron rather than Scholes (this would mean a 28M blunder in Fergie’s imaculate CV) SAF returned to his 4-4-1-1 formation.
The results were Disastrous with Manutd finishing trophysless and 3 in the EL. It was obvious that Cole and Stam weren’t decently replaced, that the 4-4-1-1 was a mess and that Veron was not needed at OT.
SAF was now perfectly concerned about his problems. Carlos Queroz and Fininho were brought in to give the backroom’s backup so long lacking in our first team and reserves while the defense was strengthened by the arrival of Rio Ferdinand and the introduction of J Oshea. Blanc was kept as backup but with SAF failing to bring Escude and Burdisso, the Scottish master was forced to rely once more on his French veteran.
What concerned many was SAF reluctance in bringing a new forward. Yorke was (rightly) sold but with only RVN, Solskjear and the unconfirmed Forlan it was evident that the 4-4-1-1 formation was there to stay. Things got more complicated when Manutd started losing first team players that publicly exposed our strength in depth problems.
My verdict is this. We have the team and the mentality to win. We have the youngsters (O Shea Webber, Djordic and Richardson) to hope for and the Staff to lead these youngsters to stardom but things must improve.
For example
1. The dead wood must be sold. For example May will never return to his best while Chadwick is NOT our level.
2. Youths must be introduced to the team. O Shea and Richardson have showed us ample talent so let us have the guts to give them more experience
3. THE 4-4-2 Formation should be re introduced.
4. The defense, the right wing ( cover for David Beckham) and the attack must be strengthened
4 simple points that if we work on it we will surely return to our best. No one has the talent that Man utd has so let us exploit the talent to its full.
Two years ago Man utd won the league with a 11 points cushion. Despite this incredible success we all knew where our problems lied
One of these problems for example was in the attack. An attack that could enchant but was too lightweight to give us the options needed to win again the CL.
Another problem was Steve Mclaren’s departure that left SAF alone on the throne of the Manutd’s empire
Yet our main problem relied in the defense. With Johnsen and May suffering serious long-term injuries and with Irwin too old to reach Manutd’s standards, It was obvious we needed to strengthen the defense.
It was obvious that Manutd was ready to spend big that year. After all it was SAF last year and he had the entire financial backup needed to finish the season with style.
SAF wisely signed Ruud Van Nistelrooy but instead of investing heavily in the defense (which we really needed) he brought in Veron (a good player but not what we needed). His policy was to score one more than his rivals and with Jaap Stam guarding the backline, SAF was certain to have a decent defense
What SAF didn’t considered was Stam’s diary. SAF grew furious about this issue and despite needing Stam badly, he preferred to let Stam go rather than give up to his pride. Stam was sold and Manutd fell into a panicky status. Who could replace Stam especially now when the CL was at the doors? SAF did his best to sign Ayala, but Valencia like other many clubs weren’t reluctant in breaking their backline to strengthen their enemy.
Blanc was SAF ‘s desperate answer to the defense. The 36 year old defender had the experience needed to lead a defense and although his serious lack of pace which was the driving force why Inter weren’t utilizing him anymore, in that critical moment Blanc seemed the best option.
Meanwhile Manutd were passing from a crisis. Goals against us were flowing and the scoring rate wasn’t satisfying. It grew obvious that Scholes wasn’t cut anymore for the forward line and with a lone striker Manutd were suffering. Blanc’s and Veron’s impact wasn’t bad but far from what we expected and miles away from the red devils standards. The 4-4-1-1 formation wasn’t working and despite inserting first Scholes and later Giggs, it grew obvious that we desperately needed to return to our roots.
But how? Letting his 28-M rated Veron sitting on the bench while playing the 4-4-2 formation was too much for SAF. It meaned admitting defeat, something he never and will never do in his career. Cole knew his manager well and with a World cup approaching, Andy was forced to leave his beloved club to try to fulfill his ultimate ambition, playing with England.
SAF is proud but not stupid. With Manutd reaching ridiculous depths, he swiftly turned the team’s formation to the traditional 4-4-2, with Solskjear and RVN playing up front. The defense was in a terrible state but the goals returned and this was enough to trigger us back. Manutd returned to its former glory, perhaps too late but still battling for the EL.
With Cole at Blackburn. Manutd were now forced to splash cash for an attacker. Many where cup tied so a South American seemed to be the wisest option.. SAF relied on his brother and the name Forlan pipped out. Re- assured by Mclaren’s incredible interestment, SAF went in and signed the guy.
The 4-4-2 formation was bringing some pride to OT yet playing Veron part time (with Scholes) was
too much for SAF. Both Scholes and Veron seemed unhappy of the situation and knowing that all Manutd supporters (+ board) would have preferred losing Veron rather than Scholes (this would mean a 28M blunder in Fergie’s imaculate CV) SAF returned to his 4-4-1-1 formation.
The results were Disastrous with Manutd finishing trophysless and 3 in the EL. It was obvious that Cole and Stam weren’t decently replaced, that the 4-4-1-1 was a mess and that Veron was not needed at OT.
SAF was now perfectly concerned about his problems. Carlos Queroz and Fininho were brought in to give the backroom’s backup so long lacking in our first team and reserves while the defense was strengthened by the arrival of Rio Ferdinand and the introduction of J Oshea. Blanc was kept as backup but with SAF failing to bring Escude and Burdisso, the Scottish master was forced to rely once more on his French veteran.
What concerned many was SAF reluctance in bringing a new forward. Yorke was (rightly) sold but with only RVN, Solskjear and the unconfirmed Forlan it was evident that the 4-4-1-1 formation was there to stay. Things got more complicated when Manutd started losing first team players that publicly exposed our strength in depth problems.
My verdict is this. We have the team and the mentality to win. We have the youngsters (O Shea Webber, Djordic and Richardson) to hope for and the Staff to lead these youngsters to stardom but things must improve.
For example
1. The dead wood must be sold. For example May will never return to his best while Chadwick is NOT our level.
2. Youths must be introduced to the team. O Shea and Richardson have showed us ample talent so let us have the guts to give them more experience
3. THE 4-4-2 Formation should be re introduced.
4. The defense, the right wing ( cover for David Beckham) and the attack must be strengthened
4 simple points that if we work on it we will surely return to our best. No one has the talent that Man utd has so let us exploit the talent to its full.
