Monday, 26 December 2016
Tuesday, 13 December 2016
Sunday, 27 November 2016
Sunday, 20 November 2016
Saturday, 12 November 2016
Friday, 11 November 2016
Sunday, 6 November 2016
Saturday, 5 November 2016
Thursday, 3 November 2016
ITS OFFICIAL; MANCHESTER UNITED ARE IN A ROT
Shorn of creativity, a misfiring and aged number nine, porous defence, lack of
intensity, zero tactical plan. It is fair to say that it would be easier for a
camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for Jose Mourinho to solve the
conundrums facing his current Manchester United side. Eighth in the domestic
league, third in what should have been a relatively easy Europa league group, despite the abundance
of talent at his disposal, this wasn't what United bargained for. This wasn't
what the fans hoped for. This is something they cannot accept.
Look away now Mourinho; United boss looks disconsolate as his side fall behind in the second minute to Moussa Sow's goal, in their Europa League loss to Fenerbahce, to compound his woes
A tale of two stories; while the Fenerbahce players celebrate their side's opener
Will it be fair
however, to lay the blame for United's recent woes at the feet of mother Luck?
No prizes for guessing correctly. Mourinho thus far has largely been the
architect of his own failings.
The
sight of world record signing Paul Pogba limping off in the first half would have
sent shivers down the spine of the old Trafford faithful, which begs the
question; why has Mourinho elected to start the young Frenchman in every single
game—bar the League cup tie against Northampton—since his debut against
Southampton in the Premier League, on August 19 ? With a wealth of options available in midfield, it
would have been spot-on to shuffle the pack, and give Pogba a much needed
break, away from the action, away from the spotlight, which surely would have
guaranteed the Frenchman coming back fresher and fitter. But alas, it wasn't to
be.
World record signing, Paul Pogba went down injured in the first-half of the clash against Fenerbahce
Deep in thoughts: Wayne Rooney(pictured) looks downcast as United fall behind early in the game
Dutch International, Jeremain Lens sweetly taken free-kick doubled the hosts lead, and effectively put the game out of sight for Manchester United
The neglect or otherwise, as Mourinho might purport, of summer signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan, leaves many fans and pundits alike running their hands anxiously over the center lining of their heads, in disbelief. On the night against Fenerbahce, in Turkey, he was introduced with United already two goals down. Really? In recent weeks, it has been claimed that Mkhitaryan is struggling to adapt to the rigours of English football, which makes it all the more baffling, that Mourinho saw it fit to finally introduce him, at the extremely hostile Sukru Saracoglu stadium—home of Fenerbahce—with his team trailing by two goals. Impressive timing? It couldn't have been worse.
Let the football do the talking; Zlatan Ibrahimovic's on-field performance failed to match his off-the-ball feud with the Fenerbahce defenders
Tempers boiled over as United had a frustrating night in front of goal, at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium
Nobody said it was easy,but no one said it will be this hard; When you come to England behaving like you're the best thing since sliced bread, then you have to deliver.
With
injuries to key defenders Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly, some might cling to
that as a reliable excuse. But it was the United coach who sanctioned the sale of
defenders Tyler Blackett and Paddy Mcnair, and deemed it wise to bring in only
Bailly as reinforcement. You can't have your cake and eat it, as the saying
goes, hence injuries to defenders goes no way in explaining why United had just
three shots on target against Fenerbahce—two of those coming in the closing
stages of the game— For a side boasting creative and flair players such as Juan
Mata, Herrera, Mkhitaryan, Martial, the exiled Schweinsteiger—all of which
would be the dream of many coaches, to have—the lethargic and clueless pattern
of play on display at United is bang unacceptable. Failing to beat Burnley at
old Trafford, being drubbed and walloped at Chelsea, labouring to victory
against a much weakened Manchester city side, drawing a blank against
Liverpool, playing a 1-1 draw with Stoke city at home, capitulating against
Watford, the performances are becoming awry and painful to watch. With games
coming thick and fast over the Christmas period, beware of the ides of December
some will say. On current happenings, Mourinho has got to get Man United out of
the rot they are in. He was brought in to steady the ship, but the waves are
plunging the vessel into new low depths.
That's how it's done; Moussa Sow's acrobatic goal had all the hallmarks to be deserving of winning a football match on any day—his goal put Fenerbahce in front in their Europa League tie against Manchester United
It is real Ro; United defender Marcus Rojo could scarcely believe the quality of Sow's strike, as the attacker(pictured in background) peels off in celebration
Failure
to remedy the situation, and well, the consequence is anyone's guess. Weeks
back, the Portuguese manager pleaded for time in getting the best out of his
team, but time and tide they say waits for no man. The sooner Mourinho plugs
the gaping holes in this Manchester United team, the better for all and
sundry—not least himself— The time is running. Tick tock, tick tock.
Wednesday, 2 November 2016
Thursday, 27 October 2016
Monday, 24 October 2016
Saturday, 15 October 2016
Saturday, 8 October 2016
Monday, 3 October 2016
Saturday, 1 October 2016
Friday, 23 September 2016
SPORT: FALLOUT OF MAN UTD EFL CUP ACTION: WHAT WE GARNERED
After the Red devils secured a crucial and much needed morale boosting win against their opponents at Sixfields, attention turn to getting their Premier league campaign back on track, after back-to-back demoralizing defeats against neighbours Manchester city and Watford. Here we take a look at five key issues laid bare after the red devils 3-1 win against Northampton.
Defence still a major concern
Two clean sheets in their first three games of the season left many fans purring with renewed hope and optimism that the glory days of the Vidic-Ferdinand partnership was on the horizon. However seven goals conceded in the four games since the last gasp win over Hull city, has raised fears. Against league one opponents Northampton, the red devils backline were shaky--not least fullbacks Marcus Rojo and Fosu Mensah. Indeed Mourinho must find the right center-back defensive partnership to move his team forward. Daley Blind and Chris Smalling, or Bailly and Smalling or perhaps, persist with a center-back pairing of Eric Bailly and Daley Blind? Mourinho must decide.
Bang Bang Rashford
Not many would expect an 18-year old to come up with the goods often, at a club of Man Utd's stature. But for Marcus Rashford, his importance not just to the squad, but the first team, belies his tender age. Three goals in all competitions this season, puts him second only to enigmatic striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, as Utd's top scorer. Blessed with incredible pace, direct running, skill and a keen eye for goal, his stock rises by the minute. Surely now, a big decision rests on Mourinho's hands, if Rashford should start or not against Leicester city on Saturday.
Carrick and Herrera solution for Pogba
The world's most expensive player--Pogba has surely not had it all as he would have wanted, in his first five games for Manchester United. No goals, no assists. That tells it all. Paired with Marouane Fellaini in a two-man pivot, he has often found his awesome attacking instincts curtailed, and his defensive failings exposed. Indeed, as Jamie Carragher noted, "he was all over the place like a kid in a playground", in the Manchester derby. It should be noted however, that at Juventus, he flourished in a three-man midfield featuring Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal, which gave him license to roam and hone his talents immensely. With the calm and assured presence of Michael Carrick, coupled with the legs and creativity of Ander Herrera, Pogba will be free from tasking defensive duties. A triumvirate of that manner, would however mean no place for a resurgent Fellaini. Mourinho must take a stance.
Fighter Rooney
He has never been short on fame, but his place in the team has always been questioned. At Sixfields, Wayne Rooney missed a glaring chance in the first half, and his overall presence in the box left a lot to be desired. A willing runner no doubt, but his body seems to be failing him, at a crucial point of his career. His experience and undoubtedly great quality makes him an immense asset to the team, but Rooney's continued presence in the starting eleven, robs his team of much needed fluency--especially with Mourinho's reluctance to play him in midfield. Rooney surely must reinvent himself, as he has always done.
Mourinho steers from crisis
After a morale sapping eight days, in which the red devils lost three times, some much needed confidence-- though little-- has been restored. Mourinho can at least turn focus towards reducing the gap separating United from their "noisy neighbours". Issues remain, such as the defence and the ever present Wayne Rooney conundrum, but the win at Northampton was at least a step in the right direction. Not a bad day's work, you may say.
Thursday, 15 September 2016
Sunday, 11 September 2016
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