As a Manchester United fan, I wasn’t expecting much going into this season – especially after the way the board conducted themselves in the transfer window by insufficiently backing David Moyes and splashing too much cash on Marouane Fellaini.
After 15 years of continued success, I am completely fine with taking as many years as it needs to rebuild a new dynasty at the club. But one thing I am not completely fine with is playing the sort of dire, hapless and uninspired football that we have been playing of late.
It’s absolutely disgraceful, like they don’t even care. They’re not playing for Moyes, they’re not playing for themselves, and they aren’t even playing for the crest that sits over their hearts.
Nearly every unwanted record has been broken for United this season as clubs who haven’t won for generations come and easily wipe the floor with us.
It’s not that they’ve been remarkably brilliant, but rather we’ve rolled out the red carpet and allowed them a free attacking passage into our supposed kingdom.
No one fears United any more, the fear and respect is gone. While everyone else has improved, we are in a steady decline.
I honestly have no confidence at this present moment that United will finish above ninth place, things are just that bleak.
We are not good enough, and the blame isn’t pointed at David Moyes – it’s pointed at the board, especially Mr Ed Woodward, and those squad players who apparently give a cent about this club.
The only few players who have been spectacular this season are David de Gea (ironically the man who wanted out), Adnan Januzaj and Robin van Persie – and that’s simply not good enough for the champions of England.
Right now this club is playing like that they think they deserve victory just for being Manchester United. Their mentality is screwed, it’s been a horrid start to the season and I don’t give a flying fox if we lose every game until next August.
What I do want is to see some passion drummed back into these players. I want to see that ‘Never Say Die’ spirit being shown on the pitch and, more importantly, I want to see the players of Manchester United play like they actually give a damn.
It’s a dark few months ahead. The best we can do is sit back, don’t get too emotionally invested in the results and enjoy this crazy rollercoaster in the first season after the Fergie era.
Zee
Roar Guru
I agree with ya on some level Steven, RVP and Suarez lethality is devestating. Rooney has his mood swings. He still has some time to get to that level, but to do that his head needs to be tightly screwed on and he needs to settle down and get on with it. But when it comes to putting everything on the line for your club, Wazza does exactly that and so much more. He plays the role of an entire team, whether its assisting, scoring or defending. He never stops at half way, he has a temper yes, a hot head - yes... but thats the beauty of his game. United NEED to secure him down to a long term contract, he is just to valuable
AZ_RBB
Guest
" I think he’s a fine player but I think he’s a level down from an RVP or a Suarez at their best for me." When was the last time either of them put in a goal saving tackle like Rooney does almost every second game? I know, most will argue that it's not his job. But if you look at his stats over the past few seasons, he has averaged a goal/assist a game. So his work rate does produce results. "you can find players in the lower leagues who will do that for you." You know, I was about to write the exact same thing in my comment. He reminds of that one guy a lot of us have in our school/amateur teams, who runs around and does a bit of everything. But to have that sort of coverage and dominance at the very top level is most certainly commendable. It just about gives you an extra play in each part of the field. Best point of reference would be his performance against Chelsea earlier this season. Rooney will never be Messi or Ronaldo, or even get close. But he doesn't need to.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
I think with Rooney it's an interesting debate. I think he's a fine player but I think he's a level down from an RVP or a Suarez at their best for me. Now that is going to have many people crying 'heresy' but I honestly think that like Steven Gerrard (goes back to the old Ferguson comment), the fact that he runs around everywhere and chases everything down masks a lot of areas of his game that are not that great. Basically when he's fit he runs around more than anyone else - begs the question why someone paid 250K quid a week is NOT fit all the time - and now why that's commendable you can find players in the lower leagues who will do that for you. Work rate is commendable but it can be trained unlike sheer talent. Rooney is everywhere on the park and that's great but you ask a deep midfielder whether he'd prefer playing with a forward who's runs he knows or a guy that's completely random in his positioning and I know which they'll say. Rooney is a very very good player but he's a level down from the VERY best, as have been all England's players of the past 10-15 years with possibly the exception of Paul Scholes, Ashley Cole and the Rio Ferdinand of the 2002 World Cup.
Zee
Roar Guru
Wayne Rooney has been the most devestating and in form player of the last 10 years. He may be insecure, and at times a **** when it comes to club contracts but, a United team without Wazza is a very depleted one
Zee
Roar Guru
I so put Wazza into this, it was supposed to be infront of (Ironically the man who wanted out) haha oh dear
AZ_RBB
Guest
One of the most complete players in world football at the moment. He might not pass like Messi, run like Ronaldo, dribble like Ribery or shoot like Ibra and Lewi. But he has this incredible ability to dominate all facets of a game by himself. From shooting at one end to putting in a crucial tackle on the other end, as well as taking responsibility for a bulk of the distribution. Aside from the odd brain snap and moments of idiocy and petulance, he is an absolute joy to watch and has been for over a decade now.
Eddy Bramley
Roar Pro
You forgot Wayne Rooney when mentioning the standout players so far this season. He looks a different player under Moyes and is many ways carrying United this season.