Sunday, March 1, 2015

A football club to fall in love with !!

Going off topic and calling a sports fan in all of you. Personally I am a big soccer/football fan and just wanted to write on the current state of the Manchester United. I have been following it for the past 12 years and I have been awed by every bit of it (be it the stadium - Theatre of Dreams or be it the gameplay). There have been times when the team looked invincible then there were times when we looked beatable but I always held my end to support it no matter what. 

Since the retirement of Sir Alex there is no aggression on the pitch, there is no fergie's time. The chosen one (David Moyes - currently managing Real Sociedad) came and went and the downfall was evident. Still the team had the calibre to reach 7th rank but lost on the Champions (UEFA) league place. 

Current Season so far:
League Position: 4th
Games played: 27, Games won: 14, Games Drawn:8 , Games Lost:5
Manchester United this season has shown their flare, their problems, their injuries, their vulnerability at the back, their attacking prowess but this is one of those seasons where the team is not playing its best but still get to remain 4th in the EPL. The manager Louis Van Gaal did some marquee signings in the transfer window. With the likes of Angel Di Maria, Daley Blind, Marcus Rojo, Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw, Radamel Falcao (on Loan) in the squad it always looked like the best team to field and people were convinced that last year’s disappointment will be quickly forgotten.

My first impression was that with a top heavy we might struggle at the back line and it was evident with the first game itself when swansea beat united at Old Trafford, then Leicester. The players initially got injured and it did not help the manager have a proper 11 and he had to do with makeshift players to play in other positions. Due to the injuries he did not have a proper formation that he could resort to. He played 3-5-2, then he played 4-4-2 then he played his famous diamond. All of them had some success here and there but one could not find a formation that the team could resort to even when they were under pressure. I have know United to play wide and give in a lot of crosses to their strikers. This season it has been a major disappointment. The best players so far in the season have been David De Gea, Ashely Young, Wayne Rooney, James Wilson, Ander Herrera, and Paddy McNair.

Manchester United Squad at the starting of the season (2014-15)


Lets start the breakup on individual player
  1. Van Persie – He was pretty sharp in his first season at United and make valuable runs to go past the last defender. That sharpness is not seen and he looks old. He should not be given a regular place in the line up. He got his form back for 5-6 matches where he scored many goals but he is back to missing a lot of chances. May be Van Gaal can give someone else a chance even though he has the most number of goals for united this season.
  2. Radamel Falcao – Post injury hasn’t looked the same force that he was with Monaco, Athletico Madrid. He tries hard even got goals but for a striker to have 4 goals in 16 matches does not justify anything. Premier League is more physical that any other league and he is getting a taste of it. He is talented and we all want his to score more goals. 
  3. Juan Mata – On and off season for him. He has won 2-3 matches for United but as a playmaker he is not feeding a lot of balls to the strikers hence not a lot of scoring opportunities for them.
  4. Wayne Rooney(Captain) – A born striker, look at him being a work horse in the midfield. He had the best game against New Castle and has been playing well in his new role. He has scored 11 goals but he will look convincing in his role as a striker. Van Gaal explained that he needs him in midfield but why is he wasting a talent.
  5. Angel Di Maria – He was Real Madrid’ best player in the Champions League Final and Argentina’s best player in the football world cup and then he got a whopping and jaw dropping deal at United to replicate what he did for the likes of Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale. To be honest if he plays the same role at United and feeds the likes of Persie, Rooney, Falcao suddenly you will see more goals. He is not able to deliver the ball properly in the box and he has restricted movement due to which he loses possession. If united are to score more goals he is the go to man. Still love the goal he scored against Leicester.
  6. Daley Blind – A good player with good presence of mind and has good control of the ball. He is slow thereby can’t go back and hence the defense loses a counter attack. He should up his physical game and keep more possession.
  7. Ashley Young – He has played his role very well as a left wing. He has put in a lot of balls in the box and has created more chances. I think he is better player when played up. He is quick and United want him to be back in the 11.
  8. Luke Shaw – Showed his talent at Southampton but I think he left it there only. Got injured a lot and I don’t see him as a proper fit unless he makes good use of his talent. He was signed as United wanted a player who could player from box to box but he prefers to stay mostly in the team’s box. Hence no wide play.
  9. Paddy McNair – One of the youth’s find of the season. Has defended well and tries to go up to feed the midfielders. Seen as the lucky charm.
  10. Phil Jones – He looks strong but gets injured easily. He was destined to be the best central defender in England but he hasn’t shown the promise. Not able to complete most games makes the central defense looks vulnerable to attacks from anywhere.
  11. Chris Smalling and Johnny Evans – They have made unnecessary mistakes which have costed United many games. They aren’t defending well to and lose a lot of possession easily. 
  12. David De Gea – Won at least 4 matches on his own and he is the reason why United is sitting in the 4th position this season. He has been under pressure most of the season and he has performed more than expected. He has been the best keeper in premier league this season.
  13. Marouane Fellaini – He has given some good performances this season and he has looked dangerous in the box. He should be given more chances and should play in attacking roles where he can use his physical prowess.

Next few games are must win and they are not going to be easy. Games against Arsenal (FA Cup), New Castle, Spurs, Liverpool. If they get the max points out of these games they are in contention for the Champions league place else it will be the repetitive of what happened last season. Louis Van Gaal needs to produce either a miracle by winning all the games or just buy some good players in the transfer window again in order to stay alive in front of teams such as Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool (These are the top 5 in the Premier League right now, Man United included).

People want to watch the big club playing the big games and I hope to see a turn around soon. 


A Red Devil Fan. :)

P.S: I love to play also and would really appreciate if we can have people to play on weekends.

2 comments :

Unknown said...

Chelsea just won the Capital One Cup.... Can't even remember who ManU lost against. Chelsea is heading straight towards premier league victory with Hazard and Costa continuing playing brilliantly! I commiserate with your 4th place....

Ankit Gupta said...

I completely agree Meeae. Chelsea is having one of the best season for them. As of now I see them winning the PL too. I hope we get that Champions League spot. Hazard hats off. Best player in the league currently.