In Which I Talk About Manchester United
Being a Manchester United fan is not easy. It is a difficult task. Having been spoiled by the glory days under Sir Alex Ferguson, it is hard to digest the fact that from our once lofty heights of being title contenders on a consistent basis, we are now settling for a place in top four. And it is not just that. What truly hurts is the fact that Liverpool and Manchester City are now the strongest teams in England. As I type this Liverpool have won seven out of seven, including a victory over Paris Saint Germain in the Champions League which, let's be completely honest, should have been a mauling, something which the scoreline of 3-2 doesn't suggest. Manchester City are the defending champions, and should win the league again, with a brand of football that leaves even the most passionate of Red Devils in a state of envy. United on the other hand are struggling, 7th in the league table, with tensions between Paul Pogba and Jose Mourinho at an all time high.
Paul Pogba is comfortably United's most talented player. He is the big name, the star man. He is a World Cup winner, and by far United's most marketable player. The latter point is an extremely important one, especially for a club of United's stature. At that level, every deal is a business deal. So when Pogba returned, for a then world record transfer fee of €105 million, two years ago, from Juventus, it was looked upon as a deal which would have deep implications both on the field, and off the field.
However, it hasn't worked out that way. Pogba's performances have been scrutinized, and criticized, ever since his first match. There has always been a belief floating around that he is not punching at a level he is capable of. That he has not been the same player that he had been for the Old Lady, or for Les Bleus. That he hasn't helped his cause, what with his stand out haircuts, and his lifestyle off the field, that he should tone it all down, and start focusing a bit more on fulfilling his exceptional potential.
The miasma around Old Trafford and Carrington has become too putrid. The Theatre of Dreams doesn't remain a fortress anymore. That is evident from this season alone. Manchester United have won one game out of a possible four this season there. The losses include elimination from the EFL Cup against Championship side Derby County, an unbalanced performance against Tottenham Hotspur, and a draw against promoted side Wolverhampton Wanderers. There remains a permanent scowl in Jose Mourinho's face, and supporters remain bemused, one of the major reasons being that despite spending nearly £400 million on transfers, when things go north, it is Marouane Fellaini who Mourinho turns to. Credit must be given where credit is due, however. Fellaini has been one of United's best performers so far. But he is no attacker. He has occupied the defensive midfield position, protecting United's extremely porous defense much better than many expected him to, leaving summer signing Fred to occupy a place on the bench. But to turn to him whenever United want a goal is like asking him to save penalties on a consistent basis. He is just not that player.
Alexis Sanchez remains a problem. A major problem. The curse of the No.7 shirt seems to have struck again. Once worn by legends such as George Best, David Beckham, Eric Cantona and Cristiano Ronaldo, it's latest occupants have fared poorly. Michael Owen, Antonio Valencia, Angel di Maria, Memphis Depay all misfired in that jersey. Di Maria left the club after just one season, Depay after one and a half, with Valencia changing his jersey number just after one season. Now Sanchez is struggling. The highest paid Premier League player has found it hard to replicate his Arsenal form.
The functional 4-3-3 that Mourinho has United playing is just that: functional. David de Gea in goal remains the best player in that United defense, and in many occasions, in that United team, which speaks a lot for itself. Antonio Valencia at right back is a year older, and much less prone to burst forward, and the sooner Diogo Dalot finds his feet, the better. Luke Shaw at left back has been, perhaps, United's one shining light this season. Ostracized by Mourinho times aplenty over the past few seasons, he seems to have finally recovered completely from the horrific leg break he suffered two years ago, he has gone on to become United's Mr Consistent, and worthy of a new contract. (His current one ends in a year.) Centre back remains a huge problem. Mourinho wanted another one this summer, with Toby Alderweireld and Harry Maguire the prime targets. Neither one arrived. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones remain a laughing stock, Victor Lindelof is yet to properly find his feet, (despite spending an entire season), while Eric Bailly (he is the best defender at the club) has been cold shouldered for reasons unknown by Mourinho. Fellaini, as mentioned before, has been surprisingly good, providing some shield to the defense. Nemanja Matic usually starts in a three man midfield, with Fred, Ander Herrera, Andreas Pereira and Scott McTominay all providing competition for midfield places. Pogba remains a problem with apparently no solution. Anthony Martial has been criticized publicly, Marcus Rashford seems to be stuck in a rot, with only Romelu Lukaku left to shoulder the goalscoring burden.
Manchester United are turning quickly into a Kobayashi Maru situation. Managing the biggest club in the world does often seem like a no win scenario. Mourinho led United to a second position last season, and a FA Cup final, with the season before that yielding three trophies. Yet, it is all doom and gloom at United. Maybe it is because Sir Alex Ferguson has spoiled us a lot, playing attractive football while winning trophies. There is a famous quote by Sir Matt Busby, "At Manchester United we strive for perfection and if we fail we might just have to settle for excellence." Maybe it is time we started listening.
Paul Pogba is comfortably United's most talented player. He is the big name, the star man. He is a World Cup winner, and by far United's most marketable player. The latter point is an extremely important one, especially for a club of United's stature. At that level, every deal is a business deal. So when Pogba returned, for a then world record transfer fee of €105 million, two years ago, from Juventus, it was looked upon as a deal which would have deep implications both on the field, and off the field.
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| Mourinho and Pogba |
The miasma around Old Trafford and Carrington has become too putrid. The Theatre of Dreams doesn't remain a fortress anymore. That is evident from this season alone. Manchester United have won one game out of a possible four this season there. The losses include elimination from the EFL Cup against Championship side Derby County, an unbalanced performance against Tottenham Hotspur, and a draw against promoted side Wolverhampton Wanderers. There remains a permanent scowl in Jose Mourinho's face, and supporters remain bemused, one of the major reasons being that despite spending nearly £400 million on transfers, when things go north, it is Marouane Fellaini who Mourinho turns to. Credit must be given where credit is due, however. Fellaini has been one of United's best performers so far. But he is no attacker. He has occupied the defensive midfield position, protecting United's extremely porous defense much better than many expected him to, leaving summer signing Fred to occupy a place on the bench. But to turn to him whenever United want a goal is like asking him to save penalties on a consistent basis. He is just not that player.
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| Alexis Sanchez |
The functional 4-3-3 that Mourinho has United playing is just that: functional. David de Gea in goal remains the best player in that United defense, and in many occasions, in that United team, which speaks a lot for itself. Antonio Valencia at right back is a year older, and much less prone to burst forward, and the sooner Diogo Dalot finds his feet, the better. Luke Shaw at left back has been, perhaps, United's one shining light this season. Ostracized by Mourinho times aplenty over the past few seasons, he seems to have finally recovered completely from the horrific leg break he suffered two years ago, he has gone on to become United's Mr Consistent, and worthy of a new contract. (His current one ends in a year.) Centre back remains a huge problem. Mourinho wanted another one this summer, with Toby Alderweireld and Harry Maguire the prime targets. Neither one arrived. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones remain a laughing stock, Victor Lindelof is yet to properly find his feet, (despite spending an entire season), while Eric Bailly (he is the best defender at the club) has been cold shouldered for reasons unknown by Mourinho. Fellaini, as mentioned before, has been surprisingly good, providing some shield to the defense. Nemanja Matic usually starts in a three man midfield, with Fred, Ander Herrera, Andreas Pereira and Scott McTominay all providing competition for midfield places. Pogba remains a problem with apparently no solution. Anthony Martial has been criticized publicly, Marcus Rashford seems to be stuck in a rot, with only Romelu Lukaku left to shoulder the goalscoring burden.
Manchester United are turning quickly into a Kobayashi Maru situation. Managing the biggest club in the world does often seem like a no win scenario. Mourinho led United to a second position last season, and a FA Cup final, with the season before that yielding three trophies. Yet, it is all doom and gloom at United. Maybe it is because Sir Alex Ferguson has spoiled us a lot, playing attractive football while winning trophies. There is a famous quote by Sir Matt Busby, "At Manchester United we strive for perfection and if we fail we might just have to settle for excellence." Maybe it is time we started listening.
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