Manchester United’s draw to Sunderland on Saturday marked their third draw of the Premier League season, all of which have come from away fixtures.
The display at Sunderland was blunt to say the least. United lacked any sort of attacking penetration and failed to break down the Sunderland back-four. An inability to play the ball through the corridor meant that Sir Alex Ferguson’s men were too reliant on the flanks and even resorted to playing the long-ball, which was easily dealt with by the flat Sunderland back-four.
Although United had the better of the possession, Sunderland created more clear-cut chances and they would argue that they were unlucky to only have come out with a point.
Indeed, this was a poor performance that did not deserve a result, however substandard.
United’s first draw of the season came at Craven Cottage against Fulham. It was not a trademark attacking display, nor a demonstration of midfield dominance, but when Brede Hangeland scored an own-goal in the 84th minute United were 2-1 up and many believed they had the points wrapped-up.
Nani was then given a chance to put the game beyond doubt when he received a penalty in the 87th minute. The penalty was consequently saved by David Stockdale and when Hangeland scored the equalizer in the 89th minute, he had not only changed the game with a Jekyll and Hyde performance, he had begun an away hoodoo in the Premier League that ‘United have still been unable to shake off.
After comfortably defeating West Ham 3-0 at Old Trafford a week later, United set-out to achieve their first home win of the season at Goodison Park.
After conceding an early goal at the hands of Steven Pienaar, United quickly established control of the game and demonstrated some fast, fluent, and attractive football that led to goals from Darren Fletcher, Nemanja Vidic and Dimitar Berbatov.
Nani and Berbatov in particular demonstrated a great deal of chemistry and technically excellent link-up play.
After an excellent 90 minutes, even the most philosophical football fans and spectators would have been saying, ‘surely not’.
But ironically, in comic fashion, United seemed to completely forget the principle of man-marking and completely lost their shape. In less than 5 short minutes Everton had scored twice and the game was over at 3-3. The scouse were jubilant, but the ‘United players, the coaching-staff and the fans felt a painful epiphany of deja vu.
The following week United dropped another lead when they faced old rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford, but Dimitar Berbatov’s third was enough to give ‘United a 3-2 win.
Before facing Sunderland, United’ were met with their fourth away fixture of the season when they faced Valencia at the Mestalla in the Champions League. In a game of few chances and in a less than convincing performance, a late goal by Javier Hernandez was enough to give United’ the win.
An ability to get a result against the top side in La Liga and then to play miserable football later that week against Sunderland is certainly saying something.
Against Sunderland it could be argued that Sir Alex Ferguson got his team selection wrong by starting Michael Owen and Federico Macheda rather than the in-form Berbatov. But this was not the case against Everton or Fulham where Ferguson fielded two strong sides, but were unable to hold onto comfortable leads.
Overall, there is no excuse legitimate enough that opposes the simple fact that a team of Manchester United’s calibre should have won all three away games comfortably. Even with a poor team selection ‘United have the depth to comfortably dispose of a team like Sunderland and have central defenders of such quality that last season other teams couldn’t buy a goal, let alone score seven after six games as had been the case this season.
With Arsenal meeting Chelsea on Sunday, Ferguson will have his Extra spearmint chewy-packets close at hand in anticipation and hope, that there is a stalemate between his sides two title rivals.
Regardless of the result though, if United want to regain their Premier League crown, they’re going to need to make amends in their next away fixture when they travel to Stoke. Or once again, they will face the familiar up-hill task of chasing one of their rivals.
James Gray-Foster
Roar Pro
What have you seen? Have a look at some of the Reserve videos and his game against Scunthorpe. Sir Alex has been impressed by his technical abilities and has been praised for it by a number of players, he was just lacking in terms of fitness. He's fixed that now and to be honest, I was surprised to see him called up to the squad so early after playing so few games. I guess we'll wait and see, but there's definitely some talent there. I'd also like to see more of Obertan.
Elliot Lodge
Roar Pro
yea some good points raised. I dont want to get aggressive over this as its great that there is someone else on here into the EPL. Fair point on Malouda, he does often cut inside when Ashley Cole makes his overlapping runs down the left side. Kakuta is certainly a tremendous talent and its also worth noting that Ancelotti is never sold on the same system. Last year Chelsea switched from 4-4-2 with a diamond midfield to the 4-3-3 that he currently employs. I see kakuta as playing a second striker role, almost an Anelka plays at the moment. For France u19 in which he was player of the euro tournament, he played very centrally aswell. Certainly much potential is the young Frenchman... You do know that SAF bought Bebe without him or any of his scouts having seen him play. He was just taken after Carlos Quiros recommended him. From what Ive seen he seems well below his depth and SAF himself seems rather unimpressed. Given Fergies' history of talent spotting, he was a strange player to spend 8 million pounds on and I think will be the biggest flop of the season. Happy to talk on facebook, add me: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=598302938
James Gray-Foster
Roar Pro
Boy's
James Gray-Foster
Roar Pro
Nah, I feel the same about Chelsea fans. You and I seem similar, bias, but more than ready to reason. Bebe's got a load of potential, you can't deny that. He's just raw and he's going to need some nurturing. He's a bit like a cross between Ronaldo and Nani; big, powerful and imposing, lighting quick, but an excellent crosser like Nani. Not saying he's going to be as good, but that boys got the potential of a world-beater he just needs some nurturing. When Kakota finally breaks into your team you're going to need to change your system. He looks exciting; quick, skillful and technically gifted but more suited to a true wingers role. Malouda is almost like a mix between a cm and a left-winger. He plays centrally then cuts wide. You got Facebook or something dude? If you want to keep your identity that's cool, though.
Elliot Lodge
Roar Pro
Sory, I just get sick to death of arrogant Man Utd fans who think their club is the be all and end all of football, hopefully you aren't one of them, um...bebe....such a good player!
James Gray-Foster
Roar Pro
Woops, excuse the typo repeat.
James Gray-Foster
Roar Pro
Look, I don't want an argument on here. I respect your passion for your side, but you're showing enormous disrespect for your rivals. also think it's wrong for you to attack the depth in our squad and our second string which won the Reserves cup last year. Kalou is also 25 and Di Santo signed for Wigan on a permanent Transfer last window. With the current squads and current home formations this is what the side are going to look like in 2014. I If you want to look at the two sides in 2014 that's fine: Cech Ivanovic - Terry (will be pushing 34 and probably won't play) - Bruma - Zhirkov (Cole will be pushing 34 and won't play) Essien Ramires Mc Eachran Sturridge (You need another winger) (You'll need to buy a PF) Now United: Kuszczak Rafael - Smalling - Evans - Fabio Fletcher Cleverley Nani Bebe' Rooney Macheda To choose from on the bench: Valencia Anderson Obertan Berbatov Hernandez Pogba Amos Ajose Brady Petrucci King Cofie Reece Brown I'll leave it up to you who you think is better.
Elliot Lodge
Roar Pro
If you didnt notice last summer Ancelotti let go a number of his ageing stars to prepare for the future at the bridge. Chelsea now have the best young players in the country who are now getting the crack at first team level. In the midfield, we have so much talent. I would expect Lampard to still play another 3-4 years, whilst Essien, Ramires and Mikel will become the mainstays of the midfield. Essien and Ramires are and will become two of the best central players in world football, whilst Mikel continues to develop strongly. Behind them, Josh McEachran is one of the most exiting talents in England. At 17, Ancelotti showed faith by playing him in two Champions League fixtures and also away at Man City last week. Along with Gael Kakuta, Chelsea will maintain having the best midfield in the EPL. Elsewhere: Kalou - 23, continues to improve Strurridge - 21, pacey attacker great talent Borini - 20, similar to Sturridge Van Aanholt - an Ashley Cole type figure nearing Dutch selection Bruma - got Dutch national call up, a tall powerful central defender Thus, the Chelsea team of 2014 Ivanovic - Terry - Bruma - Cole Mikel Essien McEachran Ramires Kakuta Drogba bench: Bosingwa Lampard Kalou Van Aanholt Borini Matic Di Santo Mancienne Compare that to United who have assembled their worst squad of the century and seemingly lack the quality of their London rivals in every part of the pitch. Its gonna be a blue future....
James Gray-Foster
Roar Pro
Hi Elliott, Chelsea certainly looked good against Arsenal, but don't they always? Arsenal seem to have a real issue playing top-sides and tend to under perform. John Terry is extremely effective when he reads the game well, but he often gets caught out for pace. As much as a number of Chelsea's players are performing well, they have a real issue in terms of the age of their squad. Those players you've mentioned albeit Essien are aging fast. You have to say, with Drogba and Lampard at 32, it's not going to last long. Soon you'll need to spend a large sum of money and need to rebuild. Although, to give Chelsea credit, they're certainly in a commanding position and playing decent football. As for United, you've probably counted out a number of key players. Berbatov and Nani have been irresistible together this season and although Nani has on a few occasions had ordinary games he tends to pop out of nowhere with a shot or a cross that changes the game. Even as a Chelsea supporter you'd be mighty scared if Rooney started performing. If he plays anything like he did last season we'll have 2 of the best strikers operating and a dangerous wing combination of Nani and Giggs. To see Bebe on the pitch last week instead of Obertan also suggests that Ferguson is willing to push him through. Scholes and Fletcher are both performing and with Hargreaves pushing for selection we're looking forward to an exciting period. Providing the holes are stitched up in defense we'll start hitting form before the new year like we always do. Thanks for the comment!
Elliot Lodge
Roar Pro
Good to see someone on here writing about the EPL, the competition I love above all else. As a Chelsea fan, I am delighted with the progress of my team evidenced by last nights crucial victory. There is just a touch of class about this Chelsea team that others lack, its an effeciency to put the ball in the net even when things aren't going so well. The back four though was what pleased me the most about the victory over the gunners, JT looked quick, sharp and accurate whilst Alex and Ivanovic stayed strong in defusing Arsenals threats, mostly from the air. Man Utd were very poor against Sunderland and I thought the home side deserved all three points. United seem to lack enough of those x-factor players which many of their rivals have in abundance. Rooney has that star quality, at least most of the time, Nani is lethal when he decides to actually play football. The timing of Berbatovs uprising has been perfect, to keep the red devils competitive in the early stages of the EPL. But compare that to their West London rivals. Drogba, Lampard, Essien, Malouda and Ashley Cole all have the abilty to spark an attack from nowhere. On the same note, the Blues defence is as solid as ever and in Petr Cech they possess one of the best shot stoppers around. Indeed, as much as it pains me to say it, Machester City actually seem like Chelsea's biggest title rivals this season. We can grovel all we like about them not functioning as a team but based on the last few weeks that is all but a myth. As for this star attacking quality that I talk about, just mention the names Tevez, Adebayor, Silva, Milner with the likes of Adam Johnson and Mario Balotelli waiting in the wings. This point was shown last night, in a deadlock against Newcastle, Johnson came on with 15 minutes remaining and fired home a brilliant individual goal to deliver all three points for city. Their defencd also looks solid and organised. So, if I was to predict the EPL ladder from what Ive seen if seven rounds... 1. Chelsea 2. Man City 3. Man Utd 4. Arsenal 5. Tottenham 6. Aston Villa 7. Everton ... 12. Liverpool