September 2013 – No Question About That

Moyes’ gaffe-prone Euro trash

September 30, 2013 by Ed

Champions League, David Moyes, Premier League

David Moyes has a problem; one that stems, it seems, not from the raft of changes in Manchester United’s coaching staff this summer. Nor the painfully embarrassing approach to the transfer market. And certainly not one born of the Scot’s tactics, no matter how jumbled the defensive mess fans have witnessed in recent weeks. No, Moyes has a problem with speaking. Particularly words. In English. And especially the kind that draw not the quizzical eyebrow to which the Scot is becoming depressingly familiar.

Indeed, it is a problem that Moyes has brought to light in the past week, twice raising the real challenge that the former Everton manager believes he faces in his first season as United manager: the quality of his team. Or lack thereof.

From the assertion that his side is six players short of winning the Champions League, to the contention that United won the Premier League by fault of others’ weakness, to an oft repeated belief that United must buy to compete; it’s the Scot’s penchant for motivational speaking, Rant suspects, that won Moyes the United gig in the first place.

“To win the Champions League, you need five or six world-class players,” Moyes said ahead of United’s trip to Shaktar Donetsk this week.

”Look at Bayern Munich, they have it. Look at Barcelona, who had it in the past and Real Madrid, who have maybe got it now. That’s the level you have to be at to win it. We’ve not got that yet.”

This week has delivered a double-dose of foot in mouth disease from the Scot. It was not, said Moyes last Wednesday, United’s quality that won the Old Trafford club a 20th league title last season, but “other teams that were poor.”

Way to throw cold water on supporters’ ongoing celebrations. Still, it must come as little surprise to the Scot that his players have looked so listless in recent weeks. He seems keen to let the world know just how bad they are.

Successive Premier League defeats have come. First to Manchester City at the Etihad, followed in abject style by Saturday’s loss to West Bromwich Albion at home. Moyes is yet to comment on which caused more humiliation.

That double-header made it three league defeats in the past four, with no goals scored from open-play since United’s victory at Swansea City on the opening day of the season. And if United’s attacking play has been dysfunctional, then the back four, as one, is seemingly one pint short of the full pub team.

The campaign for change on the pitch, if not the managerial hotseat, cannot be far away.

Still, the surprise is not in Moyes’ analysis, but that it has been made public at all. After all, City’s degeneration under Roberto Mancini put-paid to the former champions’ hopes last season. Meanwhile, Roman Abramovich’s rapid-fire dismissal of nine coaches in as many years ensures instability reigns in west London.

Neither do many, but the most one-eyed supporters, believe United will take the Champions League this season – not given the disparity in quality between the Reds and the best. Especially in midfield. It is, after all, debatable whether any of United’s central midfield would make Bayern Munich’s bench, let alone the first team

But this is a debate for the terraces and a post-match pint, rather than the manager and the fourth estate. Not least because it ensures Moyes sounds just a little too Benitez-esque for comfort.

Still, if a change in personnel is to come – and how could it not after three defeats in seven Premier League games – those players on the fringes of Moyes’ team, who brought respite against Liverpool in the Capital One Cup last Wednesday, need fear not. For the manager’s guns are squarely aimed at those who more frequently adorn the starting XI.

“We’ve got work to do,” said the 50-year-old. Work to acquire players that “will go right into the team.”

“The job when I took over was always going to be that we’d have to make changes and improve as we go along. I wasn’t going to come in here and say ‘such and such isn’t good’, not at all. But, in time, obviously I’ll have to make some changes.”

Cynics might wonder whether it is 25 years of unprecedented success that Moyes changed first. Rant couldn’t possibly comment, although it is hard not to take a cynical view after back-to-back league defeats of such calamity.

Four goals conceded at the Etihad on Sunday last proved humiliating in both execution and meaning, but it is the weekend’s defeat to West Brom that will cause most concern at Old Trafford. After all it wasn’t complacency, or a rare off-day that caused United’s downfall, but a tactical and technical mess all of Moyes’ own making.

The Scot can do little but issue the now frequented mea culpa.

“I don’t think it was only one department where you’d say we were lacking,” the Scot admitted post Saturday’s match.

“I think it would be unfair to single any out – it was the whole thing. We were lacklustre in nearly all the areas. There were lots of things that disappointed me. We should be scoring more from open play. And we should be defending better. We couldn’t do it at either end.”

How how the tables have turned. It’s not four weeks since the former Everton manager declared that he was “really impressed” with how his team played in the utterly miserable 1-0 defeat at Anfield. A performance so good that Moyes could now “see why they’re champions.”

United managed just four shots on target at Anfield. Reality, it seems, has now struck home hard.

“I may have to take a few more blows, definitely,” admitted the Scot. “Maybe even more than that. Maybe all season I have to take a few blows.”

Respite comes in the form of European competition, with United jetting out to Ukraine on Tuesday morning. It is, of course, the competition in which the Reds scored four against Bayer Leverkusen last time out.

Shaktar, you have been warned. Just don’t be disappointed when United fail to turn up with a raft of world-class players. Dave wouldn’t simply have it.

Moyes forced onto the defensive

September 29, 2013 by Jay Shon

Articles

David Moyes, Defence, Tactics

Manchester United’s loss to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday was the third reverse in the Premier League this season. Many of David Moyes’ problems tie in the tactics the former Everton manager has deployed, which have impacted both defence and attack.

One of the key concepts behind Moyes’ 4-4-1-1 formation is to develop two points of attack. By contrast two pure strikers offers essentially only one target to aim for. With a forward deployed in the hole, however, the team uses the number ten to feed its advanced forward, or provide other attacking players passing options.

The two banks of four used in Moyes’ prefered 4-4-1-1 formation offers a solid defensive base – it is a relatively simple shape that offers cover as the midfield four closely tracks the opposition midfield. And with at least one forward staying in the opposition half the team can quickly attack on the counter.

However, these two banks of four are rigid and the formation needs careful calibration if the side wants to avoid becoming overly direct. After all, the system deploys nobody to mark the opposition number ten so the gap between the defence and midfield needs to be narrow in order to squeeze the space in which opposition playmakers can operate.

This space has to be carefully managed, lest the team is forced deep, especially where the defence is immobile. The consequence is the requirement for a high line if the team is to play attacking football. It was this gap that Samir Nasri expertly exploited in the recent derby, ravaging United’s defence in the Reds 4-1 defeat at the Etihad.

Jonny Evans’ return, a mobile and seasoned defender, offers hope and Rafael da Silva should soon regain match fitness to take up his position on the right. It will allow Moyes to use Phil Jones or Chris Smalling in their natural position at centre back. However, United’s new conservatism under Moyes suggests that Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand will feature prominently in the future. There are times that call for a deep line, but being forced into it is a different matter entirely.

The most significant weakness in United’s two banks of four is that against most systems in modern football there is no spare man at the back. With the Reds’ central midfielders, wingers and full-backs completely occupied man-for-man by the opposition, United’s central defenders are left to deal with two opposition forwards by themselves.

The system also requires central midfielders to act as a duo; a staggered pair in the middle can easily be outmaneuvered. Moyes’ apparent faith in Anderson is perhaps an attempt at enabling a midfielder to join the attack while maintaining a deep line, trusting the Brazilian’s pace to quickly return to midfield in defensive situations.

With the engine room pinned back United’s attacking thrust must come from the flanks. In Moyes’ 4-4-1-1 the Reds’ wide midfielders must hug the byline – getting caught out in central positions can put the team in an undesirable situation where central midfielders are dragged out wide and the wide men are forced to cover through the middle.

Part of United’s problem this season lies in Wayne Rooney. The former Everton player is in very good form, but he has been deployed as a second striker. Rooney comes deep only when the opposition is in possession for a prolonged period of time and bombs forward as soon as United regains the ball.

With Vidić and Ferdinand uncomfortable in a high line, Michael Carrick and his partner cannot push up the pitch without compromising United’s defensive integrity. Carrick and Maroune Fellaini’s lack of pace exacerbates this problem.

Ryan Giggs, Antonio Valencia and Adnan Januzaj can all play the traditional wide role, but the fact that United doesn’t have a genuine aerial presence bar the new Belgian acquisition limits the usefulness of this quintessentially British approach to football.

The unexpected defeat to West Brom on Saturday epitomizes the problems both in defence and attack inherent in Moyes’ 4-4-1-1. Perhaps emboldened by Evans’ return, the Reds pushed high up the pitch. Anderson and Carrick, in particular, enjoyed time on the ball, although West Brom’s midfield stuck close enough to the United duo to limit the incision or penetration from the middle.

Meanwhile, United used a mixed approach on the flanks. Nani played well in the first half, but was seldom seen after the break. On the right the Portuguese attacked the byline and crossed. Yet, with little height in United’s forward line, West Brom opted to defend the box, allowing the winger space and time to play.

While Rooney and Javier Hernández failed to penetrate the deep-lying West Brom defence, a breakthrough appeared possible with Nani delivering sharp crosses and United having good possession.

During the opening period Nani and Shinji Kagawa also drifted inside. With Rooney seemingly neither playing up front or in the hole United’s nominal wingers offered additional passing options in central attacking midfield.

This changed at half-time when Moyes introduced Adnan Januzaj and removed Kagawa, who failed to provide much creativity from the left. However, the former Everton manager put the left-footed Belgian youngster on the right and switched Nani to the left. The intention was clear – central midfielders spreading the play wide, wingers cutting in and full-backs crossing. It is a sound, if predictable, tactic that was often been used by Moyes in a decade at Everton.

Yet, the Scot failed to recognize the difference between his current and previous clubs. The approach in the first half offered great flexibility. The lack of running from central midfield was disappointing, but Nani at least put in several quality crosses.

The second half rendered United predictable. Rooney continued to storm forward, leaving nobody operating in the hole. Carrick and Anderson, who was replaced by Fellaini, were nullified by West Brom’s engine room and there was no one linking the forwards and midfielders.

Robin Van Persie, just back from injury, was introduced, but the delivery from Buttner and Jones was poor and, with the Belgian midfielder sitting deep, there was little aerial prowess in the box to threaten the West Brom defence.

Two goals conceded at Old Trafford and four the Etihad showcase the defensive frailty inherent in the current United set up. United’s central midfielders were occupied by their counterparts. There was no spare man at the back and the defence was pulled out of shape by the opposition, leaving the Reds extremely vulnerable with far too many gaps.

The concept of using Rooney as a second striker is attractive if United can genuinely create a presence in the hole. Kagawa is having great difficulty in fulfilling that role, with Moyes insisting that the former Dortmund player defend as a wide man in two banks of four. Meanwhile, United’s midfield pair needs to move as one unit to preserve the Reds’ defensive shape and cannot consistently provide runners from deep.

It leads to an obvious conclusion: a dedicated holding midfielder is required. Rafael Benitez, a manager well versed in the 4-2-3-1 system, has always argued that both central midfielders need to stay deep to accommodate two attacking full-backs. Indeed, Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid side included Alvaro Arbeloa, a solid defender, at right-back. United, however, does not possess a forward in Cristiano Ronaldo’s mould and the utility of whipping crosses into the box is limited.

Such a move is virtually impossible in Moyes’ 4-4-1-1 with wide players holding a defensive responsibility and unable to cut in. The in vogue concept that ‘central midfielders take turns going forward’ requires a number ten like Toni Kroos at Bayern Munich who comes deep and forms a midfield triangle in the middle to play the ball out of defence. In Moyes’ 4-4-1-1 though, the number ten dropping deep leaves the number nine – normally van Persie – completely isolated.

There are other questions too. Of late David De Gea has been passing the ball out to defenders rather than putting it in the opposition half. It is probably a measure to retain possession and defensive shape, but the move has considerably slowed down United’s tempo, leaving the opposition ample time to set up defensively.

Perhaps a tactical shift to 4-3-3 is possible should Moyes persist with the rapid introduction of Januzaj into the first team. But with four good strikers and a number ten of Kagawa’s pedigree in the squad, the formation isn’t Moyes’ best option.

However, shifting to a 4-2-3-1 might allow the number ten to drop deep and let defenders move the ball quickly and accurately up the field without isolating the advanced forward. The central midfield will have to sit deep though, with Evra and Rafael aggressive attackers and head and shoulders above United’s alternate full-backs. Rooney can play the Kroos role, but the problem of fitting in five central forwards into two spots has lingered on from last season.

Alternatively, a midfield diamond solves a lot of Moyes’ problems. A dedicated holding midfielder provides defensive cover and enables other central midfielders to join the attack. With three central forwards, Moyes can take full advantage of a variety of strikers at his disposal. However, the suspicion remains that the new United manager is too cautious for such an adventurous endeavor.

It is still early days – Moyes has been in charge for only a handful of games at United. The former Everton manager has been exposed to great pressure, but his excuse that he is still getting to know the squad rings hollow. The Scot has assessed his team during preseason and all evidence suggests that he was approached about being Ferguson’s success long before the official announcement.

United’s abysmal failure in the transfer market, aided and abetted by Ed Woodward, is understandable. Neither Woodward nor Moyes has ever operated at the top end of the market.

United’s offensive failure is disappointing; that United’s defence has been repeatedly breached too is appalling given that Moyes’ reputation is built on solidity.

Preview: United v West Bromwich Albion

September 28, 2013 by Ed

Articles

Premier League, West Bromwich Albion

So there it is: Manchester United’s “toughest start for 20 years” done and very much dusted, four wins, one draw and two crushing defeats later. David Moyes may have overplayed the severity of United’s opening seven fixtures this season, but it has been a chastening experience for the 50-year-old Scot, his squad and supporters alike. From here until Christmas the journey should be somewhat less jarring. That is the theory at least.

Defeat to Manchester City last Sunday has cast a long shadow over Moyes’ opening few months in charge at Old Trafford. Five out of 10; must – can only do – better. Taken together with United’s loss at Anfield, and the home draw with Chelsea, Moyes’ outfit has dropped eight valuable Premier League points already this season.

Still, Saturday’s fixture at home to West Bromwich Albion is followed by matches against Sunderland, Southampton, Stoke City, Norwich City and Fulham, before the Reds meet Arsenal in mid-November. Throw Tottenham Hotspur into the mix during December and it looks ready for Moyes to take his stand as United manager this side of Christmas.

Or to put it another way: the season’s start struck fear into the new manager. Now is time for Moyes’ United to truly emerge.

Football isn’t as simple as all that of course. Hubris has a tendency to decisively bite back. Yet, Moyes will discover a little more of his squad in the coming weeks, with the Scot now ready to deploy players beyond the limited range used to date. It is a policy that backfired spectacularly at the Etihad last weekend when Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidić, in particular, looked short of peak fitness.

“We used the word ‘rotation’ but I want to see good form. If you play, it makes the job much easier if you play well,” said Moyes.

“Obviously, the performance against Manchester City didn’t merit people thinking they were necessarily playing the next game.”

Manchester United v West Bromwich Albion, Premier League, Old Trafford, 3pm, 28 September 2013 Winger Ashley Young came in for stinging criticism for his part in the defeat in east Manchester, although he was certainly not alone in failing the new man. Meanwhile, Moyes is keen to seen more of players rarely used to date this season: Wilfried Zaha, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Adnan Januzaj.

“Ashley Young played in the game before against Crystal Palace and probably won us the match,” said Moyes, who hauled off the former Aston Villa winger short of the hour against City.

“He got the penalty kick and had the chance to score another goal when he went through. You could probably pick half-a-dozen players who didn’t play particularly well against City but Ashley is fine and will be okay. We’ll give him every chance to prove what he can do.

“Wilfried Zaha has not appeared as we’ve just not felt we’ve had the opportunity. I want Wilf to get used to what happens here. I think it’s important Wilf gets to see the level of training and the level of the players and the quality they have got.”

Meanwhile, central defenders Evans and Smalling should feature at some point in the fixtures against West Brom and Shaktar Donetsk in the coming week. Moyes has almost exclusively turned to the trusted Ferdinand and Vidić in the opening two months of the campaign, but with age and injury blunting the veterans’ form the Scot may now protect his star men a little more closely.

“Everyone told me how well Jonny played last season but he had a bit of a stop-start pre-season and didn’t get enough momentum to be ready to play at the start of the campaign,” added Moyes.

“I thought Smalling played really well, as did Jones in midfield, and the younger ones were good on the day. But I think Rio and Nemanja are two top centre-halves. ‘Vida’ is probably the best centre-half I have ever worked with, I would say. He is that good, he really is. Rio has really impressed me by how fit he is and the condition he has been in. He has not missed a day’s training since we came back.”

Moyes will Robin van Persie is available for the weekend fixture, with the Dutchman now back in full training following a groin problem. Tom Cleverley is back in the squad after missing United’s midweek Capital One Cup victory over Liverpool, meaning Moyes boasts a full squad from to select as United look to put together a run of victories this side of the new year.

But it is to the youngsters that many supporters hope the new manager turns. Zaha may have joined for £15 million this summer, but it is the youngster Janujaz that has garnered more positive headlines. The winger’s close control, balance and attacking instincts have brought the Belgian to the fringes of Moyes’ first team this season.

“We really think an awful lot of Adnan,” said Moyes, who is yet to tie the 18-year-old down to a new contract.

“We think he is a Manchester United player and I’m sure he will be. We think it’s the best place for producing and giving young players opportunities. We think we do it better than anybody.

“I think I do it, maybe not as well as my predecessor, but, at Everton, I always put young players in the team when I felt the time was right. It’s what we want and it’s part of my remit, to promote young players and Adnan has been promoted already.”

Meanwhile, the Baggies arrive in Manchester sweating on strikers Victor Anichebe and Nicolas Anelka. Both should be available despite minor injuries. Chris Brunt is set to miss a third successive game, but Claudio Yacob is fit after recovering from a dead leg.

Anichebe and Anelka are surely be vital if the Baggies are to turn around a poor record against United. The visitors haven’t beaten United in the Premier League, losing 11 of 14 fixtures. Indeed, it is 18 games since the Baggies’ last league victory over the Reds – at the Hawthorns in March 1984. Few expect the Midlanders to turn that record around on Saturday.

Still, United must show more quality in addition to the grit demonstrated against Liverpool on Wednesday night. It wasn’t pretty, but following the humbling loss at City, Moyes will surely be pleased with United’s determination. It was, in the parlance, “a response.”

Manchester United v West Bromwich Albion, Premier League, Old Trafford, 3pm, 28 September 2013

Teams
United (4-4-1-1): De Gea; Rafael, Evans, Vidic, Evra; Nani, Carrick, Fellaini, Kagawa; Rooney; van Persie. Subs from: Lindegaard, Fabio, Buttner, Smalling, Ferdinand, Anderson, Cleverley, Giggs, Zaha, Valencia, Hernández

West Brom (4-4-1-1): Myhill; Olsson, Ridgewell, McAuley, Jones; Morrison, Sinclair, Amalfitano, Mulumbu; Sessegnon; Anelka. Subs from: Camp, Popov, Lugano, Yacob, Rosenberg, Anichebe, Berahino

Head-to-Head
United 52 Draw 30 West Brom 40

Officials
Referee: Michael Oliver
Assistants: P Kirkup, S Long
Fourth Official: A Taylor

Prediction
2 – 0

Matchday Forum thread

Chicho relieves pressure as Moyes warns of trouble ahead

September 25, 2013 by Ed

Articles

Capital One Cup, David Moyes

There was, Old Trafford would surely agree, an essential truth on Wednesday night as Manchester United hosted Liverpool in the League Cup. There have been few occasions in recent years on which the nation’s secondary cup has taken on such importance. No, David Moyes’ priorities have not shifted at all this season. After all the Premier League, Europe and then domestic cups follow in that order of importance. But a third defeat of the season, to a major rival at that, was beyond countenance.

Liverpool’s visit to Old Trafford, so soon after United’s devastating loss to Manchester City last Sunday, could not have come at a more critical time. Or opportune, depending on the perspective. While the League Cup might ordinarily provide fodder for United’s youth manager David Moyes could hardly afford another crushing defeat.

It was understandable, if unfortunate timing, that Moyes should change eight men for Liverpool’s visit, although it was to the squad rather than kids that the Scot turned. Three of United’s old-guard in the back-four simply had to be offered a rest, while Shinji Kagawa, Nani, Jonny Evans and Rafael da Silva were all short of minutes in recent weeks. Sound logic at play then.

But it is not always the science of reason that pervades in football; a sport of wildly contrasting emotions and a tendency towards the hyperbolic that is utterly deep-seated. In that it proved a decidedly brave decision by Moyes to swap around his entrenched first choice players, if ultimately successful, even if so many conspicuously failed at the Etihad.

On the pitch United barely edged Wednesday’s 1-0 victory over Brendan Rogers’ traveling outfit – a match in which the hosts defended resiliently for periods when Liverpool hogged possession. Little wonder, with the Merseysiders’ at full-strength for the 30 mile journey east.

Yet, just as United had secured a narrow victory in the Premier League following City’s 6-1 win at Old Trafford two year’s ago, so the Reds dug in to knock Liverpool out of the League Cup. United will meet Norwich City in the fourth round as part of a decidedly winnable run of games during October.

Beyond Wednesday’s victory United’s mixed start to the new campaign has proffered a conclusion: that the Reds are a little short of previous vintages, and quite some way adrift of the continent’s very best. Indeed, Moyes chose the eve of victory against the Merseysiders to remind all that he had sought at least two further reinforcements in the summer past.

As it happens United’s over-priced acquisition of Marouanne Fellaini is all the manager has to show for a summer of not inconsiderable frustration. Quite probably incompetence. It was a period in which United’s executive let the new man down when he needed the greatest support.

Moyes remains defiant in the face of early criticism of his new regime; a finicky assessment that is, of course, far too premature. More to the point Wednesday’s narrow win suggests Moyes is accurate in his assessment that while the Scot’s first choice side is short, United’s squad is replete with decent quality. Just enough.

“Where we’ve got work to do is bring players in to go right into the team – that’s the slightly different equation,” said the 50-year-old on Tuesday.

“We needed one or two who might have just gone in, but that will happen. We always said it was going to be a tough one and it was going to take a little bit more time.

“Not for a minute did I think this job was going to be easy. There will be days like we had on Sunday and there might be more of them because we are in a period where there will be transition. If people thought this was going to be easy and smooth after Sir Alex, I don’t think that was ever going to be the case.”

Admirable honesty one might say, although not entirely a mea culpa of course. Ed Woodward’s ability to navigate the January transfer market might be tested once again. And might define a campaign more than the new manager would ever have liked.

It is the nature of transition fascinates, with the principle change in the opening months of Moyes’ regime appearing to be an odd conservative bent. One demonstrated again on Wednesday, with Moyes swapping goalscorer Javier Hernández for midfielder Michael Carrick with 15 minutes to go. It could so easily have backfired.

Yet, with United’s “toughest start for 20 years” now out of the way the real work starts. Moyes’ ability to use his squad is key. Indeed, the fatigue demonstrated by Messrs. Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidić and Patrice Evra on Sunday ensures more time for Chris Smalling and Phil Jones in the weeks to come.

Whether Moyes can integrate creative players, including Kagawa and Nani, will be tested as the Champions League bites into United’s schedule. The short-term futures of Wilfried Zaha and the prodigiously talented Adnan Januzaj will beguile many. The Belgian featured as a late substitute at Old Trafford on Wednesday. Zaha didn’t leave the bench.

The suggestion that the Scot does not always trust creative players will persist until the more inventive among his squad are used in more challenging games.

Still, there can be no doubt of the relief ringing around Old Trafford by the end – a bouyant crowd pushing the home side over the line. More excitement for a League Cup third round tie than for many a year. And much of it had little to do with the competition or even opponents at play.

It is, perhaps, a realisation that after 25 years, United’s face is human again. Moyes seemingly knows it, although the brass undercarriage demonstrated on Wednesday night augurs well for future moments of pressure at least. There are likely to be many.

Derby thrashing sends Moyes back to the drawing board

September 24, 2013 by Ed

Articles

Manchester City, Premier League

Wayne Rooney’s reaction said it all – a smile barely cracked let alone a celebration of the fist-pumping, arm wheeling, euphoric kind 3,000 traveling Reds had hoped for. After all, Rooney’s 87th minute free-kick was excellence in everything aside from it’s timing. Four goals to the bad, United’s dream lay in tatters long before the 27-year-old curled home a second set piece in as many games.

Such was the comprehensive nature of defeat to rivals Manchester City on Sunday that it remains hard to draw positives from the occasion. The converse is closer to the truth, with the heart of David Moyes’ strategy fundamentally undermined at the Etihad.

After all, these are the games that define a season’s narrative. Defeat leaves the Scot facing testing questions of his defence, attack and especially midfield, together with an approach that was altogether, and disastrously, conservative.

Few of Moyes’ men left the Etihad with dignity, let alone credit, upheld. From the slipshod nature of United’s defending, through yet another midfield over-run by an opponent, to a chronic lack of creativity that is now becoming a pattern.

This was a wretched United performance, every bit as demoralising as that inflicted in 1989; far worse than the freak 6-1 defeat at Old Trafford two year’s ago.

Sunday leaves United with just seven points from five Premier League matches. Five games in which the Reds have lost two local derbies, and amassed the lowest points total for a decade after the opening quintet of league games. Should Moyes’ team suffer defeat to Liverpool in the Carling Cup on Wednesday the pressure on the Scot will ratchet up significantly.

Perhaps the most disappointing factor in Sunday’s loss is that none of Moyes’ side appeared to take responsibility, on the pitch at least, for the calamitous events. To a man insipid.

It really comes to something when want-a-way Wayne Rooney leads the mea culpas.

“It’s nice to score but it means nothing,” said Rooney, perhaps the only United player to emerge with any self-respect from Sunday’s disaster.

“The points were the most important thing today and we’ve come away with none. We’ve all grown up with local football derbies and it’s not nice when you lose one. I’ve been there myself as a fan and as a player. Thankfully we’ve got the game against Liverpool coming up Wednesday and it’s something we are looking forward to now in the hope that we can get the victory to put this defeat to the back of our minds.”

That is a task far easier to articulate than practice of course, although Moyes will be relieved with a fixture list that includes winnable league matches against West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland, Southampton, and Stoke City before October is out.

The Reds should end that run with a far better points tally. Any other outcome is unthinkable.

But Sunday’s chastening must surely prompt a rethink in United’s strategy, not least in the back four where Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidić were over-powered by City’s vibrant attacking unit. For the first time this season the pair looked its age and more. With Patrice Evra also advancing into his 30s, Moyes has deployed three veterans in his back four in each of United’s matches this season.

Here too the will seemingly drained from those in Red. United’s rearguard was given such little protection that Vidić’s attempt to berate Antonio Valencia for failing to track his runner had the air of resigned apathy.

On the other flank Ashley Young’s contempt for defending was matched only by a chronic fear of ball-retention that bordered on the obsessive so often did the former Aston Villa winger concede possession.

Meanwhile, Michael Carrick and Marouanne Fellaini were reduced to hapless spectators, with City utterly superior in central midfield.

Fellaini was billed in some quarters as United’s answer to City’s Yaya Touré; on this evidence the Reds might have better recruited Kolo such was the Belgian’s ineffectiveness.

He remains a puzzle. The £27 million man who neither adds bite to the defensive side of United’s midfield, nor breaks up play through superior positioning. Nor, it seems, does he offer a counter-part to Carrick’s passivity on these occasions.

Aggressive at set-pieces, and effective around the box, Fellaini still has much to prove at this level. Not least in a deep-lying role where the Belgian’s limited defensive instincts were exposed in two of City’s four goals.

Indeed, Moyes’ decision to push Fellaini forward as the game drew to a close may be the forebear of an approach to come, with United seeking to exploit the Belgian’s power in the air, rather than his ineffectual ability on the ball. Look away those who hope to match rivals’ short-passing game.

Elsewhere, United’s creative fizz popped, as it has in four of six games in all competitions this season. After all, those two Rooney free-kicks and a Robin van Persie penalty are all United has to show for matches against Chelsea, Liverpool and City this season.

Meanwhile, two of Moyes’ most creative options in Shinji Kagawa and Nani sat on the bench. Unused, perhaps unloved, while new signing Wilfried Zaha and wonderkid Adnan Januzaj watched on from the stands. It is enough to prompt the question of just what hold Young – the most wretched of all – retains over his new manager.

It is a conservative approach that can only frustrate, but one a decade-long in the making during Moyes’ time at Everton. Even the Scot’s lone substitution – Tom Cleverley – was designed to limit damage inflicted rather than restore any squandered pride.

Still, with Liverpool at Old Trafford on Wednesday there is little time for a radical rethink in approach, although there was much talk in the aftermath of “a response”. It is already a hackneyed sentiment.

Talk is cheap, unlike United’s one summer acquisition, and in the end Moyes was reduced to limp platitudes in praise of the traveling support.

“Whether it’s a derby or somebody else, you don’t want to lose,” admitted Moyes.

“It does make it worse when you want to do so well for your supporters. I thought our supporters were great today, under the circumstances. Whatever manager loses a game, you get on and try to win the next game. You just play the next game and see how you go. We’ll do everything we can to win the next one.”

The Scot has little choice but to field a full-strength side against Brendan Rogers’ outfit; defeat escalating United’s slow start to a full-blown crisis, at least in the more hyperbolic red-tops.

Whether that line-up includes those largely repudiated this season will define the coming weeks.

Preview: City v United

September 21, 2013 by Ed

Articles

Manchester City, Premier League

That one of Manchester’s teams might end the 166th derby on just seven points after five games underlines the early season importance this fixture brings, quite aside from the local pride at stake. United won the corresponding fixture last season, together with emphatically taking the Premier League title.

Yet, having dropped points against both Chelsea and Liverpool, new manager David Moyes began the season under scrutiny. United gained fresh impetus after the confident victory over Bayer Leverkusen in midweek – a 4-2 victory that delighted Moyes.

Meanwhile, City secured a 3-0 win against Plzen to relieve some of the early pressure that afflicted new manager Manuel Pellegrini after defeat to Cardiff City in Wales and then the draw in Stoke.

Still, with two new managers at the helm, and a renewed sense of competitive spirit in the Premier League this season, neither Moyes nor Pellegrini is able to countenance defeat in Sunday afternoon’s fixture. It is a scenario where caution may play a significant part.

Yet, United’s confidence received a welcome boost in recent matches, with Wayne Rooney scoring three times this season and demonstrating renewed purpose at Old Trafford. While the Scouser is never again likely to be universally admired in Manchester, he is on the verge of once again becoming a major factor in United’s fortunes.

It is this sense of belief, however tenuous on part of both player and team, that Moyes will take into the derby. After all defeat would leave United as close to the bottom four as the Champions League. And that says little for what two ‘derby’ defeats this season might do to the Scot’s reputation after the 1-0 loss at Anfield.

“We’ve played well in the last few games and have got a bit of confidence and hopefully we’ll try and show that in the game on Sunday,” said Moyes on Friday.

“There is an excitement for any derbies in any big city in the world. They’re all really important to your own supporters. They’re important to the players as well but ultimately it’s about what happens come the end of the season and how many points you get together to see who is top. These points could be really important towards that.

“I’ve experienced derby games in Glasgow and on Merseyside. Every derby in every big city is important to whichever team you support and I understand how important it is for the Manchester United fans.”

Moyes’ job is made more comfortable by Tuesday’s win over the Bundesliga side Bayer. The fixture was notable not only for the quartet of goals United secured, but for Marouanne Fellaini’s full début in central midfield. The Belgian is again likely to slot into the role alongside Michael Carrick against City, proffering the significant physical presence that United has lacked in recent seasons.

Indeed, Yaya Touré’s double in last season’s fixture comes to mind, with Fellaini set to offer the competitive drive Moyes sought when United paid more than £27 million for the Belgian.

Manchester City v Manchester United, Premier League, Etihad Stadium, 4pm, 22 September 2013 The midweek Champions League fixture also brought the welcome reintroduction of Shinji Kagawa to the United side – an event that was in some doubt this season. The Japanese playmaker was, as expected, deployed off the left, but started a game for the first time in the campaign.

Although Rooney is now Moyes’ clear first-choice for deployment ‘in the hole’ behind Robin van Persie, Kagawa brings a different creative dynamic, even if the left-sided role is more restricting than the Japanese may hope.

Meanwhile, the Scot’s likely use of both Rio Ferdinand and Namanja Vidić in the derby reflects a campaign that has seen limited opportunities for United’s younger defenders; a policy born squarely of pragmatism. While Ferdinand’s age and Vidić’s injury record means each now plays a little deeper than in the past, it is the duo’s experience that Moyes has sought in a challenging start to the campaign.

“I’m sure nature will take its own course in time but I’m quite comfortable with Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones,” said Moyes.

“I just felt at the moment that I’ve taken over a new job and it was important I got a little bit of rhythm. I don’t like the word ‘rotate’, but I will change players at different times. My mind was made up that I was going to keep it quite strong in the opening period and then see what happens after that.”

Elsewhere, Moyes will choose between Fabio da Silva and Chris Smalling at right-back, with Rafael on the sidelines for another fortnight and Phil Jones unfit. In-form Antonio Valencia will start on the right-wing in what has become a familiar 4-4-1-1 formation this season. However, Danny Welbeck is still unfit with a knee injury.

But it is to Rooney that eyes turn. The former Evertonian’s three goals this season have brought widespread praise, including from the player’s nemesis, Sir Alex Ferguson. But seemingly ever conscious of the player’s attitude, Moyes praised Rooney for the turnaround in fortunes this season after the 28-year-old sought a transfer for much of the summer.

“Don’t for one minute think I am going to take the credit. The credit is for Wayne Rooney for getting himself the way he is. We are here to help make him better. It is up to Wayne to do it. He takes the credit for that,” said Moyes.

“He has knuckled down really well. He has done his training. Everything he has done he has done himself. He has done it to make himself better.

“He got himself into really good shape physically. He looks lean. He is back to being his aggressive self again. He is fast and hungry. I needed all those things from him if I was ever going to get Wayne back to the level he is at.”

And should the Scouser score the winner on Sunday love from all on the terraces will not easily return, but the joy of victory will be sweet all the same.

Still, City retain a key role in the derby’s outcome. David Silva is likely to return for the derby after recovering from a thigh injury, and Micah Richards could make the bench after overcoming a hamstring strain.

Manchester City v Manchester United, Premier League, Etihad Stadium, 4 pm, 22 September 2013

Teams
City (4-3-3): Hart; Zabaleta, Nastasic, Kompany, Zabaleta; Milner, Toure, Fernandinho; Navas, Aguero, Silva. Subs from: Pantilimon, Wright, Richards, García, Rodwell, Nasri, Lescott, Jovetic, Negredo, Guidetti

United (4-4-1-1): De Gea; Smalling, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Fellaini, Kagawa; Rooney; van Persie. Subs from: Lindegaard, Fabio, Buttner, Evans, Anderson, Cleverley, Giggs, Zaha, Kagawa, Hernández

Head-to-Head
City 46 Draw 50 United 69

Officials
Referee: Howard Webb
Assistant referees: M Mullarkey, D Cann
Additional assistant referees: M Oliver

Prediction
0-0

Januzaj comes of age

September 18, 2013 by Jay Shon

Articles

Adnan Januzaj

Football is rife with players of great potential who squandered it all. Paul Gascoigne is an extreme case in which he presents a real danger to himself and others. Meanwhile, the former Manchester United youngster Ravel Morrison went from being heralded as the most talented player to emerge from the Academy since Paul Scholes, to being sold on the cheap to Sam Allardyce.

By contrast, “between the ages of sixteen and twenty,” Gary Neville “dropped women completely” to focus on football and enjoyed more years at the top than his more talented brother. As with everything, attitude is key in the making of a footballer.

There are circumstances outside of the youngster’s control that determines his future too. With Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand in prime, Gerard Piqué failed to break into the first team. Jonny Evans, despite being less gifted than the Barcelona defender, enjoyed regular games in 2008-9 due to Ferdinand being consistently injured. The road to stardom is long and winding.

Which is a nice segue into the hot prospect of the moment, Adnan Januzaj. The teenager arrived from Belgium aged just 16. United brought him to Manchester after the Belgian impressed the scouts with his technical skills in 2011. His progress has been steady – the former Anderlecht forward enjoyed an excellent campaign at under-21 level and ended last season as the Reserve Player of the Year.

Able to play across attacking midfield positions, Januzaj has excelled in a variety of roles at Moss Lane and continued his form in pre-season games. With Antonio Valencia, Luis Nani and Ashley Young in poor form, the 18-year-old is justified in looking to “get some games for the first team” this season.

Reports suggest that Janunzaj is of sound personality. Put into an unfamiliar striking role last season, by coaches seeking to develop his physical attributes, the youngster managed to adapt without complaint.

And unlike Morrison, who often graced major newspapers with his antics, Januzaj has stayed out of trouble. Sir Alex Ferguson, David Moyes and Warren Joyce all consider the Albanian-born player to be professional in his behavior. He is also willing to listen to others and seek advice. “Every time I need to ask something, I go to Giggs,” said the youngster recently.

Defying the gifted young forward stereotype, Januzaj is fairly tall at 5’11”. He has a wiry frame, but he is decent in the air and shields the ball very well. The-18 year-old also possesses excellent balance which makes it extremely hard for defenders to push him off the ball.

He offers great pace and his balance allows the Belgian to make sharp turns at speed. Although he needs to add strength to his arsenal, it would appear Januzaj is more than ready to handle the physical aspects of the Premier League.

Januzaj relies on his pace and ability to make sharp turns to leave behind opposition players, but he also has well-developed technical skills enabling the kid to dribble past defenders. He is very adept at handling the ball in close quarters with an excellent first touch.

The teenager’s passing is also impressive, and he has the vision to greet runners with a ball played into space. It is this ability to make searching through balls that defies Januzaj’s inexperience.

Perhaps the most extraordinary of Januzaj’s attributes is his tactical awareness. The Belgian often seeks space, not unlike new Arsenal recruit Mesut Özil. Where young forwards often tend to kill the tempo by retaining the ball, the Belgian prefers to involve his teammates. When United is in possession, Januzaj tends to come deep and offer his teammates an option and then seeks to create space.

The may also be right for the youngster’s introduction to Moyes first team. Januzaj made his Premier League debut against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, replacing Ashley Young for the last 20 minutes. And despite featuring for less time than Young Januzaj attempted and completed almost as many passes as the former Aston Villa winger. He also created more chances.

Here was an accomplished professional and not a youngster nervously coming through. Of course, there are tougher games to come, and the Reserve Player of the Year is by no means proven at the top yet, but the potential is obvious.

He has some work to do though. Januzaj’s defensive qualities of are still in doubt. The teenager comes deep in search of the ball, but it leaves a question mark about his tactical discipline. In the months to come Januzaj will face players of higher caliber than ever before, and he will be required to maintain concentration for longer that he has ever needed to. Deploying Maroune Fellaini as a defensive midfielder should ease the pressure, but a team’s defensive unit is only as strong as its weakest link.

But Januzaj offers something that no other first teamer provides: he is comfortable with both feet although he is naturally left footed. With Giggs unable to play 90 minutes consistently, there is no established player who Moyes can play as a traditional winger on the left.

Meanwhile, Young has gained many critics in two years with the club. The former Aston Villa player’s one dimensional play limits his usefulness – he fails to cut inside despite being right-footed – and lacks the technical quality to efficiently navigate tight quarters. He is too often shepherded down the left and rendered docile.

Danny Welbeck, Wayne Rooney and Shinji Kagawa can play on the left, but each is forced to cut inside. Januzaj, on the other hand, can hit the byline and cross, or cut inside to his natural position at ’10’ and overload the centre of the park.

The potential partnership with Patrice Evra is also worth exploring too. Evra attacks the box just as much as he goes to the byline. When Januzaj provides width, the French full-back is afforded room to come inside, and vice versa.

The 18-year-old is green, but the opposition faces also faces a challenge simply by the virtue that Januzaj is unpredictable. Moreover, Moyes has a history of promoting young players to the first team. Jack Rodwell and Rooney debuted at 16. Ross Barkley did so at 17, although Moyes faces a heavier burden to deliver at United than he did at Everton.

Januzaj’s defensive naivety will weigh heavily in the Scot’s mind, but it is now clear Moyes seriously considers Januzaj as an alternative this season. Ashley Young’s dive against Palace might just become symbolic.

Preview: United v Bayer Leverkusen

September 17, 2013 by Ed

Articles

Bayer Leverkusen, Champions League

More than a decade on from Champions League semi-final defeat to Bayer Leverkusen and the memory of a chance lost still lingers. Real Madrid won the tournament, beating the German side in the final through Zinedine Zidane’s outrageous volley. But as close calls go there was much to regret in the manner of Manchester United’s away goals defeat through Oliver Neuville’s late equaliser at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson blamed defeat on nerves; that his player froze under the pressure of a first semi-final since triumphing in 1999. It is an emotional response unlikely to be repeated on Tuesday as United meet Bayer in Manchester, although David Moyes’ first European fixture as the Reds’ manager adds intrigue at least.

Among the current United only Ryan Giggs survives that semi-final – a match that also featured future Red Dimitar Berbatov. The Welshman is likely to be involved a some point on Tuesday, if only from the bench, after sitting out United’s weekend fixture with Crystal Palace. Meanwhile, Phil Neville, now United’s first-team coach, was an 18th-minute substitute for his brother Gary in the first leg.

United’s first outing in Europe under Moyes comes after similar crushing disappointment. Defeat to Real Madrid in last season’s Round of 16 hurt, although the Reds were far from the best team in the tournament.

Moyes’ appointment also represents a passing of the European mantle. Europe became Ferguson’s raison d’être – the triumphs and defeats defining much of what the Scot acheived with the club over a quarter century. Indeed, it is United’s 19th UEFA Champions League campaign, one more than Barcelona, Real Madrid and FC Porto, although no manager but Sir Alex has led the Reds into continental competition since Ron Atkinson guided United to the UEFA Cup quarter-finals in 1984-85.

It is a challenge that the new manager relishes, although he has little European experience to call on. Everton’s sole campaign in the Champions League ended in elimination at the preliminary stage.

And it is likely to be a testing campaign, with United drawn to face Real Sociedad and Shaktar Donetsk in addition to Bayer.

“I’ve been excited about it ever since I’ve joined Manchester United,” said Moyes this week.

“Every game has offered a new challenge and a tough one as well. I’ve been there before with Everton – we didn’t quite make the group stages but this is different. This is a club that’s used to getting to the latter stages.

“I think all groups are tough. It is more unpredictable than it was. We’ve got a leading team from Germany, one from Spain and we go to Donetsk to play Shakhtar. It’s a tough group.”

Manchester United v Bayer Leverkusen, Champions League, Old Trafford, 7.45pm, 17 September 2013 Moyes is set to begin the campaign without some key men. England duo Danny Welbeck and Phil Jones are both doubtful with knee and ankle injuries, while Wayne Rooney will again wear protective head gear after a recent gash to the forehead.

Shinji Kagawa rejoins the squad after a bout of flu, but Nani serves a one-game ban on matchday one following his red card in last season’s second leg against Real Madrid. Youngster Jesse Lingard may come into the party, although the weekend’s star performer, Adnan Januzaj, is not available for selection until October when he qualifies for United’s ‘B’ list.

The game also serves as a first Champions League fixture as a coach for Leverkusen’s Sami Hyypiä, a winner as a player with Liverpool in 2005. It has been a summer of change at the BayArena, with 10 players joining the squad over the transfer window. Sevilla pair Andrés Palop and Emir Spahić join former Bayern Munich youth Emre Can and Fortuna Düsseldorf forward Robbie Kruse in the squad.

However, it is Stefan Kießling that the remains Bayer’s most potent threat. The German striker notched 17 in the Bundesliga last season and a double against Wolfsburg at the weekend.

Midfielder Lars Bender faces a late fitness test on a hip injury, which forced the German international out of Saturday’s fixture and Germany’s World Cup qualifiers last week.

Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand says that the manner of United’s defeat to Real last season adds no extra motivation ahead of the Champions League’s start. The Reds 2-1 loss at Old Trafford followed Nani’s controversial dismissal – a key refereeing decision that turned the fixture in Real’s favour.

It proved to be a devastating blow for Ferguson, who may attend Tuesday’s match in the director’s box. But as with the Scot’s difficult first few seasons in Europe – 1991 Cup Winners Cup victory aside – the Reds have some ground to make up on Europe’s best.

Real, Barcelona and champions Bayern Munich start as favourites to win the competition next May, although Paris Saint Germain, Juventus, Manchester City, Chelsea and big-spending Monaco each have legitimate designs on the trophy as well.

“We were all disappointed with what happened last season and how we went out. But we won’t harp on about it,” said 34-year-old Ferdinand.

“We continue and start again afresh this season. New group, new season, new games. Last season is out of our minds and not something we need to use as motivation.”

“If you don’t win the competition you’ve got catching up to do. It’s that simple. If that happens then you have work to do to catch up. Last year we went out in dubious circumstances. Hopefully we can improve this season. Last year we improved on the season before that and hopefully we can improve again.”

United has suffered two disappointing campaigns in succession – a slide in fortunes that has coincided with Bayern Munich’s secession to the head of Europe’s elite. The southern German outfit was the competition’s outstanding team over the period, supplanting Barcelona as the continent’s best.

While Leverkusen is unlikely to threaten Europe’s best the opening match of this season’s campaign should test Moyes’ men.

“The Germans did well last year, the Spanish sides before that. It goes in cycles and hopefully we can start the cycle this season,” adds Ferdinand.

“It probably focuses you a bit more when you have a tough group. You don’t get the chance to rest people, for example. The competition is so competitive and the players are so good and the desire to get into the next stage is so high. Each year you want to qualify for the knockout stage.”

That goal is achievable, especially with United’s ability to compete in central midfield now augmented by Marouanne Fellaini’s acquisition. The Belgian is sure to start alongside Michael Carrick in midfield.

However, few argue that this United squad falls short of the champion’s wealth of talent. Still, with a new manager in place the fresh campaign comes with renewed incentives and hope. United may not start the campaign as favourites to capture a trophy last secured more than five years ago, but it is a group from which the Reds should emerge.

“I have always wanted to get to the Champions League,” concludes Moyes. “I did everything I possibly could at Everton to reach it and I couldn’t quite make that happen. Now, at Manchester United I am going to do everything I possibly can to win it.”

Manchester United v Bayer Leverkusen, Champions League, Old Trafford, 7.45pm 17 September 2013

Teams
United (4-4-1-1): De Gea; Fabio, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Fellaini, Young; Rooney; van Persie. Subs from: Lindegaard, Smalling, Buttner, Evans, Anderson, Cleverley, Giggs, Zaha, Kagawa, Lingard, Hernández

Leverkusen (4-3-3): Leno; Donati, Toprak, Spahić, Boenisch; Bender, Reinartz, Rolfes; Heung-Min, Kießling, Sam. Subs from: Palop, Yelldell, Stafylidis, Hilbert, Wollscheid, Derdiyok, Castro, Can, Hegeler, Öztunalı, Kohr

Head-to-Head
United 2 Draw 2 Leverkusen 0

Officials (all Slovenia)
Referee: Damir Skomina
Assistant referees: Matej Žunič, Bojan Ul
Additional assistant referees: Slavko Vinčić, Roberto Ponis

Prediction
3-1

Fellaini eases into shirt as Januzaj steals the show

September 15, 2013 by Ed

Articles

Adnan Januzaj, Marouane Fellaini

So there it was at last. No, not David Moyes first win at Old Trafford. Nor, indeed, Marouane Fellaini’s first appearance in a Manchester United jersey, although the Belgian was deployed to good effect as a second half substitute on Saturday. The real talking point in United’s return to competitive action after the international break is reserved for Adnan Januzaj’s competitive debut. Composed, assured in possession, and prodigiously talented, Januzaj made ample claim for a major role in the season ahead as United beat Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The United manager will take much satisfaction from the weekend’s events, although less from the Reds’ actual performance against a limited, but willing Palace side. Indeed, not until referee Jonathan Moss’s borderline decision to award the Reds a penalty, and dismiss the visitors defender Kagisho Dikgacoi for denying a goalscoring opportunity, did Moyes’ side final stamp its authority on the game. After defeat to Liverpool a fortnight ago victory was the minimum demanded by a passive Old Trafford crowd.

Meanwhile, Fellaini, on as a 62nd minute substitute for the largely ineffectual Anderson, enjoyed an unexacting debut. The £27.5 million Belgian midfielder rotated possession well, remained tactically disciplined when required, and even got off one fine long-range effort.

There will be far sterner opponents than Palace’s Mile Jedinak, of course, but at least the new United man remained on the pitch; those famous Fellaini elbows kept close to the midfielder’s chest in an understated display.

More allure lay elsewhere though. It was 50 years to the day since George Best, the waif like winger from Ulster, made his United bow. Best became the finest to grace Old Trafford before or since. And while the future holds no guarantees for the nebulous Belgian Januzaj, the 18-year-old served to remind just how much the current United side is crying out for a little of Best’s sparkle.

After all, Ashley Young’s outrageous dive, for which the 28-year-old was righly cautioned, was only marginally more irritating than the former Aston Villa player’s consistent mediocrity. Upgrade urgently required.

The Belgian kid drew the foul from which Wayne Rooney cracked home United’s second in a performance of real verve, but not before reminding home fans of the vast potential already demonstrated on this summer’s tour. That Januzaj is yet to sign a new contract will also remind Reds of other supremely talented teenagers to have escaped United’s clutches in recent seasons.

Januzaj is impressively keen to receive the ball, possesses good balance and intelligence beyond his years. The goal threat is muted, but as the teenager fills out he should become more potent in multiple forward positions. It is little wonder that many observers believe the kid is the most natural talent to emerge from the Academy in years.

The teenager’s promise lay in stark contrast to United’s laboured performance for much of the piece; possession turned into chances, but so few of them clear cut, while the Reds’ finishing remained sub-optimal bar Rooney’s outstanding set-piece.

These are still early days in the new regime, of course, but as in fixtures against Chelsea and Liverpool a sense of ennui pervades. Moyes’ tactical focus on function over form in central midfield and a traditional ‘width and crosses’ approach to creating chances will surely come undone against more astute opponents.

Moyes was happy enough to declare himself pleased with the performance, although United must certainly level up against Bayer Leverkusen in midweek.

“I’m very happy. I thought there was a lot of good play, in the early part of the first half we were very good,” said Moyes.

“We created a lot of crossing positions and goal-scoring opportunities which we didn’t take. We made it a little bit nervy, so I was delighted when we got the penalty kick before half time.

“We didn’t concede any goals, which is a great thing. At the moment, we’re looking strong defensively and that will be really important in the coming games.”

Meanwhile, compatriot Fellaini slotted alongside Michael Carrick for a half-hour cameo. It was an understated display, perhaps limited by the player’s debut nerves. Yet, the Belgian displayed none of the carelessness in possession that sometimes blighted his displays at Everton. The chest control and half volley just a few moments into his entrance a hint at the player’s genuine goal threat.

“It was a fantastic debut and we won. I was both nervous and excited. I thought I had to play my game and with my quality,” said Fellaini in the aftermath.

“The supporters helped me, it was important for me. We won today so it was good for our confidence ahead of the next game – because the next game is a big game, it is a Champions League game.”

Fellaini will surely start against Leverkusen on Wednesday – a game that Rooney should also make after surprising many by returning to action so soon after suffering a serious facial cut in training. The Scouser was less than his effervescent best, but the quality of pace and dip on the 81st minute free-kick will live long in the memory. That Robin van Persie also scored keeps up the pair’s better than goal-a-game ratio.

But the post match chatter focused on Januzaj, who will challenge both Antonio Valencia and Young for a place in Moyes’ starting side in the months to come. Januzaj’s development is a major bonus for the former Everton manager, whose likely strategy this season is to build a strong defensive base and trust United’s creativity to width.

“I think I did some good things, but it is only my debut so I have to keep doing well on the pitch,” Januzaj told MUTV.

“I appreciate the very good fans, they gave me a bit of power when I came on the pitch. I hoped to get a goal but I tried to do my best for the team and tried to give goals and score goals. Of course, I want more games to play and I hope I will have another chance to play for the first team.”

In that there is a warning of course. Last summer Paul Pogba departed, contract expired, complaining of limited opportunities in the first team.

“The boy’s going to be a good player, he’s 18 years old and he’s a good talent,” assured Moyes post-match. “I would have introduced him earlier if the games had suited. I considered playing him from the start.”

It is a promise fans hope the manager keeps.

Preview: United v Crystal Palace

September 14, 2013 by Ed

Articles

Crystal Palace, Premier League

It has been the longest of international breaks, not least because David Moyes’ players return to domestic football having lost, somewhat ignominiously, to Liverpool a fortnight ago. With many of Manchester United’s squad involved in World Cup qualifiers, Moyes’ players have gathered for only a few days ahead of the weekend’s match with Crystal Palace, but there can be little doubt that the Scot is under pressure to deliver a result. After all Palace, newly promoted under Ian Holloway’s flambouyant stewardship, is only a point behind the Reds.

Still, Moyes will be able to call on £27.5 million signing Marouanne Fellaini for the Eagles’ visit, even if Wayne Rooney is likely to be sidelined with a nasty cut to his forehead. The Belgian could start alongside Michael Carrick in central midfield as Moyes attempts to bolster an area of United’s team that failed so conspicuously at Anfield.

Not that Moyes will always deploy his new recruit in midfield; the player was often used in more forward roles last season, scoring 11 times in the Premier League from a position just off Everton’s principle striker. Evidence, some suggest, that Moyes is likely to instill a more direct style of play at Old Trafford in the coming months.

The jury remains out on that theory for the moment although, with a packed schedule in the coming weeks, Fellaini will have little time to bed into whatever role Moyes chooses. The 25-year-old Belgian must adapt quickly if he is to repay some of United’s lavish investment in matches with Palace, Bayer Levekusen, Manchester City and Liverpool before September is out.

“He can play different positions, score goals and is effective in different areas of the field. So I’m hoping that if he can continue to improve we could have a really top player on our hands.

“He was someone who we pencilled in for a position here at Manchester United right from the start. We felt we could do with adding numbers. We had to try and get another central midfield player. But with Marouane being able to play a bit further on as well, it can give us different alternatives if required.

“He’s someone who can play in several roles. We got a lot of games coming up, a busy schedule, and I want to be able to play in different ways in different games so he helps me to do that.”

Manchester United v Crystal Palace, Premier League, Old Trafford, 12.30pm 14 September Meanwhile, Moyes has few injury concerns, Rooney and Phil Jones aside, although all eyes will be on former Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, who has featured little so far this season, and Shinji Kagawa, who has seen just seven minutes’ action. The Japanese international was widely misquoted as being upset with Moyes’ management this week even though the Scot left Kagawa out of his matchday squad at Anfield entirely.

Rooney will again be absent though, having missed United’s 1-0 defeat in Liverpool and two England matches over the past fortnight. The player’s severely gashed head required 12 stitches and the Scouser is unlikely to feature until the risk of the wound reopening has completely dissipated.

“He’s in great physical shape but obviously he’s got the cut right in the middle of his forehead which could split where the skin is very thin,” said Moyes.

“He’s had the stitches out and it’s knitted well. We’ve just got to see where the level of risk is with his head injury.”

Zaha, meanwhile, is unlikely to feature against his old team, with Moyes in no mood to make a sentimental selection for the Saturday lunchtime kick-off.

“He’s been quite bright over the few days since he’s been back. He got a couple of games for the England Under-21s and is one of the most promising players on the way up. The fact that it’s his old club in this game won’t change my views in any way but he’s someone who we hope he can continue to develop and, when we think he’s ready, we’ll get him towards the team.”

Moyes will make a late call on Jones’ fitness, who will play at right-back should he recover from an ankle injury sustained against Liverpool. Jones limped out of the Reds’ defeat after 37 minutes and could be replaced by Antonio Valencia or Chris Smalling if the youngster fails to regain fitness.

Whatever the final line-up United can do little worse than the club’s last meeting with Palace – a 2-1 Carling Cup victory for the south Londoners at Old Trafford in November 2011. Darren Ambrose struck from long range and winger Glenn Murray scored in extra time to seal Palace’s unlikely win.

The much-changed outfit signed 15 players over the summer, although not all have found a happy home at Selhurst Park. New signings Florian Marange and Owen Garvan were left out of Holloway’s 25-man Premier League squad altogether amid increasingly acrimonious fall-out.

The Frenchman claimed that he was “disgusted” with the decision after joining from Bordeaux just weeks ago. “We needed pace,” said Holloway, “he hasn’t got it.”

Rant wonders whether Holloway is a fully paid-up subscriber to the Bébé school of football scouting.

Still, Holloway will call on former Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh, who joined Palace on a one-year deal in the summer. The Moroccan scored in Palace’s defeat at Stoke City earlier this season, although the Eagles come off a fine 3-1 victory at Sunderland two week’s ago. That victory elevated Palace to 14th in the nascent Premier League table.

“They’ve brought in a lot of new players in the window and Ian Holloway will be keen to get them integrated quickly. They’re coming off the back of a good result last time as well,” added Moyes on Friday.

Still, the Scot should count on his first home win of the season following United’s disappointing draw with Chelsea. And with it a huge sense of relief after a tedious fortnight away from the domestic game.

Manchester United v Crystal Palace, Premier League, Old Trafford, 12.45pm 14 September 2013

Teams
United (4-4-1-1): De Gea; Valencia, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Nani, Carrick, Fellaini, Young; Welbeck; van Persie. Subs from: Lindegaard, Buttner, F da Silva, Smalling, Giggs, Cleverley, Anderson, Zaha, Kagawa, Hernández, Rooney

Palace (4-4-1-1): Speroni; Ward, Gabbidon, Delaney, Moxey; Puncheon, Dikgacoi, Jedinak, Campana; Gayle; Chamakh. Subs from: Alexander, Ramage, O’Keefe, Jo Williams, Phillips, Dobbie, Wilbraham, Jerome, Mariappa, Bannan, Kebe, Grandin.

Head-to-Head
United 26 – Draw 9 – Palace 7

Officials
Referee: Jonathan Moss
Assistants: A Halliday, D England
Fourth Official: C Foy

Prediction
3-1

Rant Forum
Matchday thread

Monthly Archives: September 2013

Moyes’ gaffe-prone Euro trash

Moyes forced onto the defensive

Preview: United v West Bromwich Albion

Chicho relieves pressure as Moyes warns of trouble ahead

Derby thrashing sends Moyes back to the drawing board

Preview: City v United

Januzaj comes of age

Preview: United v Bayer Leverkusen

Fellaini eases into shirt as Januzaj steals the show

Preview: United v Crystal Palace