United’s Start To The Season: A good bus on an unsteady path

It’s like waiting at a bus stop. But the bus is delayed, needs a tire change and sees long bursts of uninterrupted cruising on the road before steadying to a halt before picking up again. It’s a long, unordered, unpredictable journey. But in the back of your mind, you know you’re on the right route.

So far, David Moyes’ new position at United has not been easy and riding a new bus full of talent cannot go as smoothly as one might think. My reasoning for the slow start was urging fans to look at a younger Ferguson who took the reigns only to see success a few seasons on. No one can start anything without testing the waters, deciphering the best plan to go ahead and eventually finding one’s feet for achievements. You don’t start a job and get a nice big bonus on Day 1. There’s a probation period, your colleagues are strangers and you can’t quite figure out how the microwave works. Everything needs to be dealt with patience. And it might be an unfounded asset of any United fan. We’re not patient. Ferguson wasn’t either – if there was an issue, it would be sorted; if there was a player out of sorts, it would be dealt with. But behind the scenes, Ferguson was given several thumbs-up-good-to-go confidence boosts from the Board. But what we don’t hear are the few occasions where Ferguson’s throat was already threaded through the noose. He just happened to change a few games where everything lay in the balance. And patience paid off eventually.

Yes but Moyes has the talent and the resources. Why be patient?

If we look at the development and toughness of the Premier League in the modern day game compared to 20 years ago, there is not a lot of room to argue that the competition is fierce and more demanding than ever before. The back-of-the-pack Premier league dogs are now finding a place with the usual ‘Top 4’ clubs and the unpredictability in the English Premier League still cements its place as the world’s best. For Moyes, after lifting Everton to new heights, now has to fill the shoes of the greatest football manager Britain (and the world) has ever seen. As much as Moyes has been plotting and plodding around squad selection, the players have been in two spaces – one where there is room to impress and make the starting line-up in the 2013/2014 season or a belief that the club is still suffering from Ferguson’s absence and recent transfer window failings. There’s a lot more to it. Ferguson ignited an easy chemistry within the squad bringing youth to do their part, too.

I believe Moyes now has the understanding of the squad and there will definitely be an impact with more consistency of partnerships on the field. There needs to be a lot more risks taken, too. Moyes has eventually dropped players that were underperforming (Ashley Young and Ferdinand) and stuck with the players who were impressing (Rooney, Vidic, Januzaj etc.). Moyes’ commitment and honesty has been good to see and the unwavering home and away support seems to be on fire. There are still online couch pundits who seem to know better and there will be frustrations in Moyes’ debut season at the club but there will also be small victories. At United, there will always be a positive outlook that we’ll find our feet eventually. While United sit unsteadily at 9^th on the table, while fans cheer and sneer on their social media platforms at Fellaini’s recent wrist injury and attempting to get Moyes kicked out, there are fans that are hoping and are positive that the route will eventually better itself. It’s United after all.

Ronaldo in Manchester: UCL Preview

Mourinho summed it up: the world will stop for tonight’s epic clash between Manchester United and Real Madrid. The fixture has many qualities: Ronaldo’s ‘homecoming’, Ryan Giggs’ 1000th appearance and Fergie and Mourinho displaying the utmost respect for one another. As usual, Jose is all manners in front of Fergie and the media have obviously brought up the possibility of him being Fergie’s successor.

But that won’t matter tonight. Tonight’s the unclassified ‘final that should have been’ and the victors will definitely hold a firm advantage in the rest of the competition. Poised at 1-1, the fixture could become one of the competition’s grand classics.

United, on form and on top of the English Premier League table, will have home advantage while Madrid are coming off great wins against arch Spanish rivals Barcelona. It’s all set. Ronaldo will look to impress in front of a crowd who miss his United antics on the wing while Rooney, Van Persie and the like will have to find goal as Fergie pushes for an attacking mindset tonight. And why not? There needs to be an adamant ‘gung-ho’ from United. There also needs to be an outright plan A (B,C,D – Z) to stop Ronaldo as a threat. I’m pretty sure he’ll be polishing his shoes for the occasion.

Whether a start or off the bench, Ryan Giggs will be the centre of attention with his 1000th appearance and his form has been electric this season. So often, United fans have questioned his inclusion and Giggs seemed to have proven them wrong with his turn of pace, creativity and eye for goal. And with Rooney and Van Persie likely starts, United won’t have trouble finding attacking options. With Shinji Kagawa’s hat trick against Norwich on the weekend, it will be interesting to see how/if he will be employed tonight. He seems to be a player that is always on the ball and plays delicate touches, providing a lot of ball to the attack line.

 

Same can be said for Ozil who is Madrid’s definite threat in the middle. It will also be interesting to see who’ll start in the middle for United with Carrick an obvious choice with his decent head and maturity this season. With Phil Jones not fit for the fixture, Fergie will have to deploy the likes of Cleverley or Anderson to fill that role. If Jones makes the bench, it would be encouraging – his multifaceted game came in handy in Madrid and his defensive work against Ronaldo was impressive. With Rafael and Ferdinand likely starts at the back, they will have to deal with Ronaldo who often jumps to different sides of the field, poacher Benzema and pacey Coentrao who loves to go forward. With Pepe a likely start after his niggling injury, Mourinho seems to have a full squad despite the absence of Casillas. Fergie has options in Hernandez and Welbeck, too but would most likely push Van Persie high with Rooney just behind and drifting.

Of course, the Alonso and Ozil partnership could secure a lot of possession for Madrid. I predict a lot of counter-attacks from United who will form a heavy wall in any Madrid forward attack. De Gea, who proved to be one of the best players in the first leg, will have to command his line with Madrid set pieces and will have to be on top form again.

It’s a tight game to call. I hope United make use of the Old Trafford fortress and take care of Ronaldo.

2-1 to United. I predict a few heart attacks my side too.

United kick off

Tonight, United kick off their title race with a fresh squad. New signing Van Persie could make his spectacular debut tonight vs. Everton with midfield star Kagawa also likely to make his start for Fergie’s men. It’s exciting for players and fans alike as United look to ignore their runners-up title last season and look to crush neighbours City, stellar Chelsea and a different Gunners line-up. For United, things look a little happier. Skipper Vidic is back from injury and can prove to be the missing link at the back, forever the rock while Rio (who is rumoured to have a niggle) can build a solid partnership.

Things to look forward to:

Van Persie was by far the greatest player in the league last season and if the Dutchman can link play with Rooney up front, then United won’t have to worry about goal difference like they did last season. He can create goals from anything, get the shots on target and is a great set-piece taker and target. For Van Persie, who is a ripe 29, this is his time to shine and grab some silverware. United needed an astronomical signing to give them the edge and with Van Persie in the squad, United have propelled themselves to favourites. Let’s hope the former Arsenal captain doesn’t pull a Torres. Here’s hoping he fits right in and clutches around 20 – 25 goals this season alongside Wayne. With Van Persie likely to start a lot of match-ups, there’s a chance for Chicharito and Welbeck to impress. For Welbeck, who looked a hungry striker in pre-season, there will be a lot to work for in starting but with his touch, enthusiasm and link-play with Rooney, Fergie won’t rule out his participation. Welbeck also makes goals out of nowhere and will learn a lot from Van Persie. For Chicharito, he will have to work on his strike rate this season to get a look in. The Mexican proves to be menacing hanging high and is worth his salt with the ball in the air. With United’s bucket load of strikers, it’s clear that Fergie is looking to up goal difference this season. An in form Rooney, too, can change a game.

Kagawa has already showed signs of creativity and class in United’s pre-season, with a definite touch and pace round the box, already scoring goals along the way. Already, Kagawa’s link-play has suited Rooney and his work-rate is something to be admired. When he plays just behind the forwards, Kagawa can string along passes from the back, knit through-balls and can always prove to be a threat himself in the box. Fergie’s capture of the Japanese starlet has been a great push towards a top table finish.

With Scholes on for another season, Fergie’s midfield looks stronger as the veteran is probably the best in the game when it comes to passing accuracy and holding possession. But while Scholes is definitely the player Fergie would prioritise in the middle, his lungs may not give him the consecutive appearances in the league. Young Cleverley, Anderson and new signing Powell can be the answer for Fergie, having showed promise in the pre-season months. While Carrick remains a solid middle man alongside Scholes, Fergie may push him to be more defensive this season if Jones, Evans and Smalling’s injuries persist. Cleverley has proved to be a menacing presence of late, controlling games, finding incredible passes and giving ball to forwards. This season, too, might be Anderson’s make or break season for United. Having been out of action for a while, Anderson’s inconsistency throughout the last few seasons has given the Brazilian much to think about in the middle of the park. He shows bouts of brilliance and then fails to deliver when necessary.

For Fergie, the form of Nani, Young and new number 7 Valencia gives United a new dimension of an attacking mind-set this season. Valencia complete pace and creativity will hopefully continue this season while Nani proved his worth in the Euros with formidable displays in attack. Young, while sometimes inconsistent, can prove to be dangerous on set-pieces and bursts forward. On form, a Young cross is unbeatable and with Rooney and Van Persie great headers and volleyers of the ball, it could prove worthy.

With De Gea and co. keeping out, Fergie’s squad looks like it holds a little more depth this season. I hope the new additions can work alongside the team to bring the title back. With City’s goal machines, Chelsea’s midfield re-boost and new man Podolski looking to fill the RVP gap at Arsenal, the race could go either way.