Some Consistency, Please!
Sir Alex Ferguson must not be enjoying his Chinese New Year.
He saw two very different Manchester United sides in a matter of days at the San Siro and Goodison Park. I can picture him throwing mahjong chips and pineapple tarts at his players, who blew a golden “hong bao” opportunity to leapfrog Chelsea at the Premier League summit.
United are now four points behind the Blues, not an insurmountable deficit but one that is worrying, considering that they have not hit their usual post-Christmas stride.
Inconsistency has plagued Ferguson’s men, not helped by injuries, suspensions and Nani playing like Cristiano Ronaldo one day and Jermaine Pennant the next.
How does a team go from stifling Ronaldinho and Pato to being torn part by Landon Donovan and Leon Osman?
Wayne Rooney’s exemplary form recently may prove to be United’s undoing as he has single-handedly carried the side on his broad shoulders at times. When he had an off day against Everton, the team looked bereft of ideas and energy going forward.
Ferguson tinkered with his tactics to accommodate Dimitar Berbatov in a 4-4-2 setup. When the Bulgarian decided it was time for a smoke break after the hour mark, it was back to the favoured 4-3-3 formation. Gabriel Obertan came on to show that he was a boy amongst men on the left wing and is in desperate need of growth hormone pills.
When desperate measures were called for in the final minutes as Everton took the lead, United changed to 4-4-1.5 as the midget known as Michael Owen was brought on.
It was a strange decision to take Antonio Valencia out of proceedings. His crosses into the box to connect with Darren Fletcher’s marauding runs were United’s main threat to Tim Howard’s goal.
Fletcher and Michael Carrick were overwhelmed in midfield without the poise, grace and mistimed tackling of Paul Scholes. Further back, Gary Neville officially confirmed that he is slower than Peter Crouch.
The defence has been a shambles this past week. It’s no exaggeration to say that AC Milan could have scored 5 goals in the midweek tie had Filippo Inzaghi and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar not left their scoring boots at home.
Ferguson provided us with a re-enactment of Tiger Woods’ wife as he screamed sweet words of profanity at Jonny Evans on the touchline during the Champions League tie. The “advice” did not stick with the young Northern Ireland international, who was too easily beaten for pace by Jack Rodwell for Everton’s third goal over the weekend.
Pundits can provide plenty of reasons for a team’s tactical deficiencies but something harder to measure and explain is its desire to win. I just don’t see it with this United side this season, who were masters of doing the impossible even after the fat lady has sung in previous years.
Maybe I’ve been spoilt by the likes of Roy Keane and Steve Bruce, players who left it all on the pitch at the end of ninety minutes. I only see that attitude now in Rooney and Fletcher, not surprisingly most supporters’ favourite players for their “Band of Brothers” approach to playing the game.
It’s been such an abnormal season as we see sides swapping positions in the standings like musical chairs. Ferguson’s men are still in second position despite six defeats, which is the same number Arsenal had to finish in fourth place in the previous campaign.
The most consistent and efficient team will lift the trophy in May and as of now, it looks like John “Dad of the Year” Terry will be given that honour. That would be a great image for a “Life is unfair” poster!
The Red Devils have already taken one small step into the Champions League quarter-finals stage, now it’s time for a big step in their bid for a unprecedented fourth straight league title.
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