October 2013 – No Question About That

Momentum, at last

October 31, 2013 by Ed

Adnan Januzaj, Capital One Cup, Norwich City

Admittedly it is a little churlish, but there’s nothing quite like winning to prove the fickle nature of fandom. With 15 minutes to go, Stoke City 2-1 up at Old Trafford on Saturday, David Moyes was under intense pressure. Little wonder after Manchester United’s most traumatic start to a campaign in the past decade. Two attacking substitutions later and a sense of momentum has developed around the club; comprehensive victory over Norwich City on Tuesday only creates renewed belief after three wins on the spin and a run of six games unbeaten.

The Reds haven’t metamorphosed from Champions to whipping boys, and back again, inside three months, although Moyes’ start to life at Old Trafford has been anything but positive. Indeed, a pervading sense that United had gone backwards this summer was catalysed by an incomprehensibly shambolic approach to the transfer market, and reinforced with three Premier League defeats in the opening six games.

After 25 years of success under Sir Alex Ferguson, Moyes – conservative, frustrating Moyes – had not only found a way to lose, but to do it in distinctly un-Manchester United fashion. To paraphrase Guardian journalist Daniel Harris, only three things had changed from the team that won the Premier League by 11 points last season: a player acquired by Moyes, the coaches Moyes brought in, and Moyes.

Yet, the late draw with Southampton, followed by a positive performance against Real Sociedad, and victories over Stoke and Norwich, has put a halt, for the moment at least, to the aura of negativity. After all, while United’s performances over the last six matches have sparkled only in bursts, results do count.

During that period Southampton dominated for much of the second period at Old Trafford, while United’s performance at home to Stoke was one of the most demoralising in recent seasons, save for the final 12 dramatic minutes. Even the Reds’ comfortable victory over La Real in Europe came not without moments of opposition-induced panic.

Yet, Moyes’ outfit now travels to Fulham at the weekend, then Sociedad in midweek, in the belief that qualification for the Champions League knock-out stages can be achieved, and a more solid Premier League footing established.

For a new regime the self belief that victory brings counts; a sense of momentum essential.

“You need to go on runs in this league and this club is the best in the business at building that,” said assistant manager Steve Round after United’s 4-0 victory on Tuesday night.

“This club has a winning mentality. There were no great celebrations after Saturday’s Stoke win and none tonight. There will be teams on the end of some big scores from us because we’ve got that capability and we’ve got that firepower right the way through the squad.”

There is no little irony in United’s new-found confidence stemming, in large part, from the performances of a rookie, but 18-year-old Adnan Januzaj has certainly inspired his more experienced colleagues. Hugely impactful as a second-half substitute against Stoke at the weekend, Januzaj’s headline-grabbing performance in Capital One Cup victory over Norwich on Tuesday was the most assured from a United youngster in some time.

The teenager’s flexibility has played a role too – confidence on the right to fashion late pressured at home to Stoke, while his abundant maturity in possession from a classic number 10 role dominated proceedings against an admittedly timid Norwich. More impressive still, Januzaj ‘s ability to dictate both the tempo and pattern of United’s play on Tuesday came in a manner that Wayne Rooney has not always replicated this season.

It is this flexibility to play across any of the front positions that will ensure Januzaj gains plenty of first team football this season, although fans will hope that it comes without the ensuing pitfalls of failing to settle in any one role.

“We see him as a number seven, 10 or 11. He can play any of those three,” said Round.

“If you ask our Reserves coach [Warren Joyce], who had him last season, he’d say he felt his best position was number nine. He played there for the Reserves. So any of the top four positions he is capable of playing in.

“For a young player like Adnan, we’re trying to give him as much experience as we possibly can and develop him in numerous different positions and give him different ideas and thoughts about the way he should be playing.”

Januzaj has appeared just eight times for the club, including three starts, yet is already being discussed in the same breath as teenage stars Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo and Rooney. The tendency to revert to hyperbole is rife, of course, but on occasion it is surely beholded to supporters to enjoy genuine emergent talent.

Meanwhile, United’s cup win also brought confidence to those players on the fringes this season, including Javier Hernández, Wilfried Zaha and Fabio da Sila.

While the Brazilian did not start, much to many fans’ surprise, his late goal brought a rare moment of joy in an otherwise frustrating season for the youngster. Little more than two years ago Fabio started the Champions League final against Barcelona at Wembley. His career has rarely looked so positive since.

Hernández, meanwhile, scored twice to underline the Mexican’s instinctive ability to finish is not lessened by lengthy spells on United’s substitutes bench. That the 25-year-old will almost certainly drop out of the side for the Reds’ visit to Fulham on Saturday is an indication of his continued status within the squad.

Then there was Zaha, whose positive performance was overshadowed by that of Januzaj, but should earn the England international a shot at a place on United’s bench at least.

Zaha remains raw, and his inability to understand when to retain possession, when to pass and when to beat his man, is a frustration. Still, the former Crystal Palace winger remained positive throughout, beating Norwich left-back Javier Garrido inside minutes to stamp some early authority on the game. The talent is present, with responsibility now incumbent on Moyes and his team to coax the best out of the youngster.

“I was really pleased for Wilf to get a start and play so well,” added Round. “He got a bit tired at the end so we replaced him. But this will have done his confidence the world of good and he’s gone out there and experienced what it’s like to win at Old Trafford.”

Indeed, much the same can be said for United after victories over Sociedad, Stoke and Norwich in successive home games. The key to retaining that momentum is to repeat the result in upcoming away fixtures against Fulham and Sociedad, before Arsenal visit in less than a fortnight’s time. Victory over the Gunners would breed confidence in another level again.

After years in the shadows Evans becomes the main man

October 29, 2013 by Salil Phatak

Articles

Jonny Evans

Over the years it has become a routine for Manchester United’s manager and academy coaches to promote a young player into the first team. The process seems pretty simple; develop teenagers, send them out on loan for a few years, and then after a few more, at the age of 22-24, you have a first team player. There are many examples, including Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley in the current squad. In other, rarer, cases, a player of exceptional talent, such as Adnan Januzaj, comes through and it is impossible to hold them back from the first team.

And then there is Jonny Evans, who has always shown signs that he is capable of taking over from Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, but never actually being good enough to take over from Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. Evans’ timeline since his return from loan at Sunderland in 2008 has been full of bumps and revivals.

When younger, most first team players at Old Trafford enjoy their steepest growth at a smaller club either on loan, or before being bought by United. As is often said in cricket, ‘a test match is no place to learn how to play test cricket’. The Old Trafford parallel might be, ‘the Manchester United first team is no place to learn how to play for Manchester United’.

Evans has always been a talented defender and spent his late teenage years on loan for a season at Royal Antwerp and then two at Sunderland. In the North East he won Sunderland’s ‘Youth Player of the Season’ as he helped the Mackems gain promotion to the Premier League. After returning from loan, Sir Alex Ferguson had a decision to make as he had many talented defenders at the club, including Gerard Piqué and Ryan Shawcross. He kept Evans, sold Piqué to Barcelona, and Shawcross to Stoke City.

“The problem was that at the time of [Shawcross’] release we had an especially strong group of young centre-halves,” said Ferguson more than five years ago.

“It was becoming impossible to give them all games at the level their progress warranted and something had to give. We made the right decision keeping Jonny Evans.”

But for two seasons Evans found himself in the toughest situation possible for a young defender trying to get into the team: Vidic and Ferdinand at their peak, which limited the Irishman’s appearances. Evans was in the team only when there was a need for squad rotation.

At the start of the 2010-2011 season, with Ferdinand out through injury, Evans found himself playing the full ninety minutes alongside Vidic. It wasn’t great to watch as United twice conceded late goals against Everton and Fulham. With a skinny build, looking short on confidence and being muscled away from the ball by players like Bobby ‘when you are in row Z and the ball hits your head’ Zamora, fans began to wonder whether Sir Alex made the right decision.

Perhaps the lowest point of Evans career, aside from the public hair dryer treatment at AC Milan, came as the Reds ended a 29 match unbeaten run at West Ham United, losing 4-0.

“If you analyse it, the goals we gave away were absolutely too soft. They were terrible goals,” said Ferguson in the aftermath.

“They were young players, too young to carry these types of mistakes. They’re 20, 21 years old. They can’t make mistakes like this and still win.”

The performance saw Evans dropped for six weeks, and it got worse as the season concluded with the Belfast-born player making the lowest league appearances total in his career.

Sir Alex’s confidence never fully faded though as Evans was shifted two places further up the pecking order when Wes Brown and John O’Shea were sold, with youngsters Phil Jones and Chris Smalling brought to the club.

“Evans, I think, needed a shake,” notes Ferguson in his recent autobiography. “He didn’t appreciate me signing Jones and Smalling. It caused him to question my opinion of him,”

The 2011-12 campaign started with United struggling to keep clean sheets, but scoring heavily at the other end. The Reds conceded six goals in the 7-6 victory over City that September (ahem! – Rant factual accuracy department), and pressure piled up on Evans.

But the scenario changed after Vidic’s knee injury in a Champions League in December 2011. Evans was thrust into the team alongside Ferdinand – a move that was the making of the younger man. Evans confidence grew, and the player began to make tackles higher up the pitch, especially with Ferdinand growing slower by the game.

United conceded just one goal in four Premier League games that December, although Evans’ career hit another bump after a reported night out on Boxing Day. Evans, Wayne Rooney and Darron Gibson were fined a week’s wage and left out United’s 3-2 defeat against Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford. The Irishman didn’t play in the 3-0 defeat at Newcastle United three days later either.

Perhaps the incident resonated though, with Evans’ return coinciding with just one goal conceded in United’s next three games.

The personal transformation was remarkable over the next few months, with greater authority in Evans’ defending far more prominent. No longer a reserve, by the season’s end Evans would be heralded by Ferguson as “the best defender in the country”.

Confidence grew – last season the defender scored four of the five goals he has struck in his career. Evans was even in the team ahead of Vidic for United’s Champions League game at Santiago Bernabeu, perhaps the strongest possible display of faith.

So, did Jonny Evans learn how to play for Manchester United by playing for Manchester United?

Deployed alongside two of the best centre-backs in history, Evans has clearly learned from Ferdinand and Vidic. And he has probably become a complete defender at the age of 25 – a fantastic reader of the game, who makes crucial interceptions behind a porous midfield, and no longer man-handled off the ball.

This season has finally brought a major change in the defensive pecking order. Moyes persisted with Ferdinand and Vidic until United’s 5-4 win at the Etihad (Final warning – Rant factual accuracy department), but has brought Evans into the team after that. No longer the culprit of sloppy defending, Evans’ has turned into the manager’s trusted man.

“When you win the league you need five or six players who are consistently good,” Sir Alex once said. Has the former Everton manager identified Evans as one of his six? Time will tell.

If the player is supported through the occasional error, which he deserves at just 25, Evans could become United’s most precious defender. After being used for four years as a squad player, retained to keep Ferdinand and Vidic fit, the tables have now turned. Perhaps the time has finally come when Evans is United’s backbone and Ferdinand fades into his last chapter at the club.

Kagawa’s new role offers attacking balance and a defensive headache

October 27, 2013 by Jay Shon

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Shinji Kagawa

Shinji Kagawa hadn’t been given a real opportunity by David Moyes, with no apparent rationale, until Manchester United’s victory over Real Sociedad last week. However, the European game and subsequent encounter with Stoke City, have demonstrated not only the Japanese player’s abilities, but also Moyes’ tactical nous in adapting to changing circumstances this season.

The seemingly innocent observation that the ball moves faster than the player has led to the proliferation of direct football over the years, especially in Britain. While never matching the extremes of long-ball sides of the past, Moyes’ United side had initially focused on a rigid structure and a direct approach.

The 4-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad led to the method being abandoned, with changes in both attack and defence in recent weeks.

Perhaps forced by injuries to Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones have been playing at the back in recent matches. The pair’s youth and speed have allowed the Reds to push forward and squeeze the field of play. With Michael Carrick shielding United’s defence, the Geordie’s partner can motor forward at last. This tactic allows a center back, usually Evans, to carry the ball forward and allow more advanced players to take up positions higher up the field.

Kagawa’s return to the side, albeit nominally on the left, has coincided with this change in the new United manager’s strategy. The current plan, as witnessed against Sociedad and Stoke, offers greater fluidity up-front, although the relative lack of structure and shape can leave the Reds extremely vulnerable at the back. Possession is paramount if United is to avoid coming under increasing defensive pressure.

One of Kagawa’s greatest strengths is his ability to take balls under pressure and release it quickly to another teammate. Crucially, the former Borussia Dortmund playmaker is constantly on the move and offers an easy passing option for whatever Red is in possession, at the same time relieving opposition pressure.

In terms of passing, only Carrick bettered Kagawa in the match against Stoke City; the 66.3 per cent possession United enjoyed at Old Trafford is the direct consequence of Kagawa’s tireless running and search for space.

passes

The Stoke game saw the Japanese occasionally dropping extremely deep to take the ball from a defender under duress. Evans passed to Kagawa just as much as he did to Carrick – nine passes to each.

While, Kagawa created little in terms of chances, his off the ball movement enabled others to come into the game and, crucially, allowed United to attack through the middle, and not rely solely on predictable balls delivered from out wide. Meanwhile, Robin van Persie enjoyed his best game since the season opener against Swansea City, with Kagawa the key element linking the Dutchman with the rest of the team.

Patrice Evra faced little opposition yet constantly allowed Stoke forwards to slip in unmarked from his flank. For example, the visitor’s opening goal was conceded with Evans outmanned two-to-one and the Frenchman missing an opposition playing running into the box.

One solution to this long-standing problem could be to deployed a disciplined player such as Danny Welbeck on the left, and choose between Kagawa and Wayne Rooney at number ten. However, this is not only unlikely for political reasons, but the former Everton player’s natural tendency to move towards the left greatly compliments the Japanese midfielder’s movements towards the middle. Kagawa passed to Rooney 16 times during the fixture against Stoke, with the former allowing the Englishman to make a number of dangerous late runs into the box.

At this point Kagawa might just be ecstatic being on the pitch after missing out for much of the campaign to date. Yet, the role Moyes is imposing on the Japanese is significantly different from that the former Dortmund player is used to. Instead of having an attacking approach revolving around him as in Germany, Kagawa is now helping his teammates drive the game forward.

The fact that Nani was taken off for Adnan Januzaj and Tom Cleverley substituted for Javier Hernandez with United chasing a goal, however, does indicate that Moyes finally considers Kagawa an important piece of the attacking puzzle.

Now Moyes must find a solution to some very obvious defensive problems.

Preview: United v Stoke City

October 26, 2013 by Ed

Articles

Premier League, Stoke City

Stoke City at Old Trafford. Three thousand away supporters convinced the game is the biggest of the season. The rest of the stadium safe in the knowledge that it certainly is not. And yet while Stoke fans hold a misplaced sense of local rivalry there is no doubt that this is a vital match in Manchester United’s campaign. Not least because of the eight point gap now open between the Reds and Arsenal at the head of the Premier League, and perhaps even more so in the need to create some sense of momentum around the club.

United’s victory over Real Sociedad in the Champions League brought manager David Moyes relief on Wednesday night, with the home side performing credibly in securing three points. It is that modicum of impetus that is so important with a quarter of the Premier League season now complete.

Indeed, such has been the slow start under Moyes that United can barely contemplate anything other than gaining momentum right now. The title may not yet have slipped away, but eight points at any stage of the season is a gap to fear, let alone when sporting a squad with United’s limitations.

It is, says veteran Patrice Evra, a start that now demands the kind of consistency commonplace under Sir Alex Ferguson, but as yet not found with the new regime.

“The problem is not that we are doing badly, it is because we are not doing things well enough,” Evra told MUTV.

“We have lost our consistency and we need to find it really quickly if want to win every trophy. We can’t win one game and draw the next one, or lose it. Now every game is important. We have to make sure we win against Stoke.

“We want to win two or three games in a row but it is when we win 10 games in a row, that I will say Manchester United are back in business. At the moment we are not. We need to win those 10 games. We don’t have any choice. After that we can play the beautiful football.”

That beauty has been absent this season, although at times United came close against La Real on Wednesday, with the Reds playing a more vibrant and flexible brand of football than for most of the season.

Still, with United seemingly liberated in Europe, but constrained at home, it remains to be seen whether Moyes will counter Stoke’s traditionally robust approach with brains or brawn. The Scot has erred on the side of conservative with most major choices during the campaign to date.

The roles, or otherwise, or Shinji Kagawa and Adnan Januzaj may just answer that question on Saturday, with Moyes hinting at a less conservative approach in future following European success. At a minimum a greater role for United’s Japanese playmaker is surely in demand.

Manchester United v Stoke City, Premier League, Old Trafford, 3pm, 26 October 2013 Meanwhile, Robin van Persie should return to the side after the Dutchman sat out United’s midweek fixture, although Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck miss out through injury. Midfielder Marouanne Fellaini will play with a cast on his wrist after the Belgian postponed a minor operation earlier in the season.

“Robin has a good chance. He’s had problems with his toes and a little bit with his groin as well, but I think he should be OK. He’s had a little bit of training as well,” confirmed Moyes on Friday.

“Everybody’s improving and the only one who’s a doubt at the moment is Danny Welbeck, who has some fluid on his knee. Tom Cleverley is still recovering from his calf but overall we’re pretty strong.”

Januzaj may return after impressing in United’s draw with Southampton last weekend, but missing out in Europe, although it will be a bold move for Moyes indeed if the Belgian-Kosovan is paired with Kagawa on the opposite flank. Kagawa put in what Moyes described as the midfielder’s “best performance” of the season against Sociedad, but could find himself back on the bench for domestic competition.

Elsewhere, Moyes has a choice to make at centre-back with veterans Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand available, although Phil Jones and Jonny Evans impressed in midweek. Throw Chris Smalling into the mix and the most competition for any place in Moyes’ side is at the heart of the defence.

“I was with Jonny at Sunderland and you could see, with the ability he had, that he was going to have a great opportunity at United,” former Red Danny Higginbottom told MUTV.

“With Jones and Smalling as well, there is an abundance of talent in the centre while Rio and Vidic have been mainstays over the years.

“The time is going to come when the younger ones get more of an opportunity and, for me, it’s just good to have so much competition. From what I’ve seen from all the centre-backs at this moment in time, they are all performing well, and it’s a tough decision for the manager to make.”

Yet, it is up front where United has surprisingly struggled this season. The team scored four against Bayer Leverkusen and Swansea City, but those fixtures have proven to be exceptions, rather than the rule, with the creative spark too often missing.

Meanwhile, the Potters arrive just two points off the relegation zone, with Mark Hughes’ outfit having lost four league matches already this season. The slow start has placed new manager Hughes under renewed pressure. After all, the Welshman was sacked just a few games into the campaign at QPR last year.

Hughes will have defenders Ryan Shawcross and Geoff Cameron available again, with Stoke seeking a first victory over United since the League Cup second round in 1994. Victory that the visitors are apparently confident of achieving.

“They can’t afford any more slip-ups, but invariably when people question Manchester United they come back with the answers,” says Hughes, who played more than 467 games for the club.

“There are only a certain amount of games you can lose. Five or six enables you to still be in the title race. Lose any more than six then you make it very difficult, nigh on impossible, for yourself. They’ve lost three and maybe they are a little bit vulnerable at the moment.

“West Brom have won there so it’s more than possible that we can get a positive result. The expectation from ourselves and our fans is high.”

Defeat to Stoke would be an unpalatable result, of course, although not the first time that sentiment has been expressed this season.

Manchester United v Stoke City, Premier League, Old Trafford, 3pm, 26 October 2013

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

Stoke (4-5-1): Begovic; Cameron, Huth, Shawcross, Pieters; Walters, Nzonzi, Ireland, Adam, Arnautovich; Jones. Subs from: Sorensen, Wilkinson, Whelan, Edu, Pennant, Muniesa, Palacios, Etherington, Wilson, Assaidi, Shea, Ness, Crouch

Head-to-Head
United 39 Draw 32 Stoke 26

Officials
Referee: Lee Mason
Assistants: J Collin, D Eaton
Fourth Official: M Dean

Prediction
2-1

Matchday Forum thread

Shinji freed, but Moyes’ mindset remains shackled

October 24, 2013 by Ed

Articles

David Moyes, Shinji Kagawa

It was a fleeting moment, but for many inside Old Trafford, one of real beauty: Shinji Kagawa freed from the left and deployed, at long last, in his favoured position at number 10. Legion Manchester United supporters have waited months to see it, and while there were no angels weeping, nor doves soaring high over Manchester, an inner child of joy was unleashed in thousands of grown men who should know better.

Kagawa’s move inside lasted little more than a dozen minutes against Real Sociedad on Wednesday night, but it was a liberation of sorts that brings both catharsis for the player and poses a key question: will the United now manager trust to the creative potential in his midst, or retreat once again into his own limitations?

True, there is little evidence that Kagawa is the solution to United’s problems, save for a feeling that his is a talent too good to waste on the bench or shunt out wide. Then there are those two excellent seasons in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund, although the Japanese has done little at United to justify significant lionisation. But, then, he has been afforded little opportunity to do so either.

Indeed, such has been the paucity of creative spark from United this season, driven in part by available personnel, but predominantly by David Moyes’ mindset, that Kagawa’s potential impact is exaggerated in absentia.

Yet, for those few minutes against the Basque side Kagawa glided inside, with Wayne Rooney moving forward and the ever-hapless Ashley Young taking a position on the left-wing. Free at last, the playmaker was at liberty to dictate the tempo and direction of United’s play.

For the best part of 80 minutes Kagawa was typically energetic on the left, although it is pointed to note that the most frequent passing combination was with Patrice Evra, his supporting full-back. The role inherently limits the scope to which Kagawa is involved and the areas of the pitch he can probe.

Nor did Kagawa shirk his defensive responsibilities, frequently dropping back into his own half to cover Evra. It is an ethic Moyes predictably likes, but a requirement that also limits Kagawa’s offensive impact.

“I thought it was Shinji’s best game in my time here,” Moyes said in the aftermath of United’s 1-0 victory over Sociedad.

“He hadn’t really found his feet yet but I saw something from Shinji tonight which I hadn’t seen in other games, so I was really pleased. His effort when we didn’t have the ball was fantastic. With Shinji, everybody tells me about his ability and what he has got, but tonight is the first time I’ve really seen Shinji.

“I thought when we put him into the number 10 role, and even after it, he was good with Wayne. His attitude and energy were excellent and I was pleased for him.”

Yet, more than Kagawa’s impact on United’s performances the former Borussia player has become an icon for the style of play many Reds long for. Educated in a long-standing tradition of attacking football, however rosy the nostalgia, the notion of Moyes’ functional defensive-minded football is anathema to many match-going supporters.

It was with horror that many witnessed Moyes haul Rooney off for Chris Smalling against Southampton last weekend, however poor the striker’s performance. Moyes rationalised: protection at set pieces in the final moments of the game was more important than securing a second goal, but it was a move that said so much more about the Scot’s approach.

Despite the bright performance against La Real there are still significant barriers to Kagawa claiming a permanent place in Moyes’ side, not least the Scot’s apparent reluctance to part with a mindset honed over more than a decade fighting the good fight with Everton.

Then there is the question of how to fit Kagawa, Rooney and Robin van Persie into the side without compromising the role of one or more player in what has become a fairly static 4-4-2 formation under the new manager. Given van Persie’s status, and the extraordinarily sycophantic lengths to which Moyes has courted Rooney, it is safe to assume that it is the Japanese that will continue to miss out. He has most weeks since August 2012.

Throw Adnan Januzaj into the mix and United has a creative, flexible and inventive quartet that Moyes has not yet unleashed in tandem. It is doubtful that he ever will.

In fact Kagawa’s deployment in his natural position at ‘10’ has been so rare during nearly 18 months at the club that the playmaker’s departure this January had begun to feel inevitable. It may still be should the 24-year-old once again find himself consigned to the wing, or more likely, to the bench over the coming weeks.

And despite this there is the nagging sense that not only could the Japanese spark life into a run-of-the-mill United side, but help shape Moyes’ thinking away from the defense-first approach required at Everton, to something fundamentally more adventurous at Old Trafford.

After all, Moyes’ opening dozen games are disturbing, not only for the abject manner in which his team has too often performed, and the frustrating manner in which the new man has cast aside those players he does not know or trust, but for the fundamentally cautious approach. It is an instinct that will shape, for better or worse, Moyes’ legacy at Old Trafford.

In that Kagawa has become symbolic of the regime change. The man once described by former coach Jurgen Klopp as “one of the best players in the world” now a square peg in Moyes’ round hole. One bright performance against Sociedad won’t change that, but it could be the beginning of Kagawa’s revival.

If Moyes is open to it.

Preview: United v Real Sociedad

October 22, 2013 by Ed

Articles

Champions League, Real Sociedad

There is just a modicum of bittersweet irony in David Moyes tough start to life as new Manchester United manager. While the Reds have slipped eight points leaders Arsenal in the Premier League title race, Moyes side has secured four points from two games in Europe, with the home tie against Real Sociedad on Wednesday proffering an opportunity to take a significant step towards the knock out stage.

By contrast Moyes predecessor, Sir Alex Ferguson, conquered domestic opposition long before making any significant impact on the Champions League, although there was, of course, 1991’s UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup victory over Barcelona.

Yet, for years Ferguson’s United side struggled not only with the superior quality at European level, but a tactical approach that all too often seemed naive. By 1999, when United secured the Champions League in the most dramatic fashion, Ferguson’s team had grown significantly in stature, although the Scot’s approach was still at its most bombastically attacking.

In the years that followed Sir Alex’ team became ever more conservative. The Scot’s side was once described by then Roma manager Luciano Spalletti as “even more Italian than we are” after the Reds shut out the Italian side with an ultra-negative approach in Rome.

It is a pattern Moyes has taken on with gusto – one that comes naturally to the former Everton manager, but perhaps also the only approach that could take United to an unlikely European glory. After all, few pundits or supporters believe Moyes side capable of winning Europe’s premier competition.

Still, four points from two games leaves United in a strong position to qualify should the Reds take all three points on Wednesday night.

“It could have gone a little better if we’d taken all three points in Shakhtar,” said Moyes on Tuesday.

“It wasn’t a bad point, though, and we’ll do everything we can to keep winning games. It’s a great competition and we want to progress. At home it’s important to win your home games and we’ll try to do that against Sociedad.

“We’ve had periods of good play but not continually through a game. It’s something we’re working on. We’re trying to improve all the time. There have been moments of play which have been excellent and a couple of inches one way or another we may have scored some more goals. We have to hope that turns for us. But we also have to keep working hard to make sure it does.”

United’s cautious outlook in Donetsk on matchday two is likely to be repeated in each of the Reds’ away European fixtures this season, although many will point to Moyes’ substitution of Wayne Rooney for Chris Smalling with minutes remaining against Southampton last weekend as evidence of the Scot’s generally negative mindset.

Still, Europe has already offered some relief away from the domestic campaign that is badly listing a quarter of the way through the season. Victory over Bayer Leverkusen in September is one of only two games this season where Moyes’ side has run out comfortable victors – the other being an opening day 4-1 victory over Swansea City.

Moyes will at least be able to call on youthful star Adnan Januzaj, who did not qualify for United’s ‘B’ list of homegrown players until mid-October. The Kosovan-Belgian forward sat out United’s matches against Shaktar and Leverkusen, but could start on Wednesday after being one of the few United players to impress against Southampton at the weekend.

It comes to something when a club of United’s stature is reliant on an 18-year-old rookie for its sole creative spark.

Moyes has key decisions to make in both central midfield and the back four where the Reds have struggled to perform this season. Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have each struggled at times this season, with age an fitness an issue, while Southampton’s ability to circumvent United’s midfield at the weekend brutally exposed United’s most significant achilles heal.

“There are one or two knocks and niggles, which most teams have,” said Moyes on Tuesday.

“Vida and Rio are making good progress. Danny Welbeck has a little bit of an injury from the Southampton game so we’ll have to see how he is. Tom Cleverley isn’t as bad as we thought. They both have a chance.

“Januzaj is available. He’s an exciting young player and he’s making good progress all the time. He’s someone who, I’m sure, will play a big part in the future of Manchester United. He’s an exceptional talent.”

Manchester United v Real Sociedad, Champions League, Old Trafford, 7.45pm 23 October 2013 Meanwhile, Sociedad arrive in Manchester with little form of note. The Basque side qualified for the Champions League with a fine attacking record in La Liga last season, and a superb victory over Olympique Lyonnais in the qualifying round. However, Jagoba Arrastate’s side is still searching for a first point in Group A after defeats by Shakhtar and Leverkusen. La Real will surely need something out of the visit to Manchester if there is to be any hope of progress in the club’s first Champions League campaign in more than a decade.

In captain Xabi Prieto, former Arsenal front man Carlos Vela, and French winger Antoine Griezmann, Sociedad certainly hold the firepower to trouble United at Old Trafford. Yet, the San Sebastián-based side lies ninth in La Lida following three defeats in the club’s opening nine domestic fixtures this season.

“I watched them a lot last year and was really impressed by how well they’ve done,” said Moyes.

“The loss of one or two players has made it harder for them this year and maybe the expectations have been much bigger. Sociedad are here because they finished in the top four in Spain, which is a great achievement. We have great respect for them for that.

“The games I’ve watched I’ve been impressed. They change their style – sometimes with one defensive midfielder, sometimes with two. They had a good result at Valencia on Saturday night and we have to be mindful of what they can do.

“Old Trafford is a big place to come and play football but it’s also an enjoyable place to play football. We hope they don’t enjoy it too much.”

Indeed, United has won only one of their last six fixtures against Liga visitors at Old Trafford – the 1-0 Champions League semi-final success over Barcelona six years ago. The Reds have lost the last two home games against Spanish opposition – 2-1 to Real Madrid in last season’s first knockout stage, and 3-2 to Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League two year’s ago.

It is a pattern that Moyes can ill afford to repeat given United’s poor domestic form. And an opportunity, once again, to break out of the Premier League gloom that is slowly gathering over the Scot’s reign.

Manchester United v Real Sociedad, Champions League, Old Trafford, 7.45pm, 23 October 2013

Teams
United (4-4-2): De Gea; Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Januzaj, Carrick, Fellaini, Welbeck; Rooney; van Persie. Subs from: Lindegaard, Fabio, Buttner, Evans, Smalling, Jones, Valencia, Anderson, Young, Nani, Giggs, Kagawa, Hernández

Real (4-3-3): Claudio Bravo; Díez, Mikel Martinez, Íñigo Martínez, de la Bella; Bergara, Pardo, Prieto; Agirretxe, Seferovic, Griezmann. Subs from: Zubikarai, Ansotegui, Angel, Zurutuza, Castro, Ros, Vela

Officials (all NED)
Referee: Bas Nijhuis
Assistant referees: Rob van de Ven, Charles Schaap
Additional assistant referees: Serdar Gözübüyük, Ed Janssen

Prediction
3 – 1

Matchday Forum thread

van Persie could benefit from new role

October 21, 2013 by Jay Shon

Articles

David Moyes, Robin van Persie, Tactics

Wayne Rooney’s recent declaration that he is happy at Manchester United now that he is playing as a striker under David Moyes has been interpreted in a number of ways. But setting aside the claim and its message for a moment it is good to remember that Rooney had his best season in 2009/10 during which the Scouser played primarily as a traditional number nine. Given that Rooney lacks the typical qualities of a real number 10, or a winger for that matter, Moyes can be excused for using the Englishman as a striker given the player’s history.

But Moyes system has provoke a number of tactical question, some of which might be alleviated by using Dutchman Robin van Persie in a new role.

Moyes’ system, in which full backs are encouraged to aggressively provide width, means that Old Trafford’s two central midfielders – Michael Carrick and Marouanne Fellaini as the first choice pair – cannot push forward without risk. Meanwhile, United’s wingers have been encouraged to cut inside with Rafael da Silva and Patrice Evra pushing high up the pitch.

Yet, in the system there is also a clear need for someone to occupy the space between the main striker – Javier Hernandez or van Persie – and central midfield. It was a role Sir Alex Ferguson asked Rooney to fulfill in the Scot’s last Premier League winning side, leaving the Reds with a variety of channels in which to attack.

Typically Moyes deploys a forward in the hole, but this nominal number 10 has looked to attack the box late more than providing an additional passing option in the attacking third.

Theoretically United’s wide man are required to link midfield with attack, while the full-backs crosses from wide areas – turning Moyes’ formation from a 4-4-1-1 into a 4-2-2-2 in the attacking phase. However, there are weaknesses in United’s team that inhibit the Scot’s plan. The lack of a spare man in defense and Evra’s poor positional awareness has limited United’s opportunities in the final third, for example.

Additionally in recent matches against Southampton and Liverpool the opposition pressed United’s midfield duo heavily, forcing the Reds to attack almost exclusively down the flanks. Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia were shown the byline at Anfield, while Adnan Januzaj and Nani were fouled into submission at Old Trafford. In each United’s attack was predictable and blunted.

Moyes attempted to introduce a holding midfielder in European competition, but the United squad is loaded with forwards, and deploying a number 10 that links midfield and attack is surely more of a priority. Without this additional passing option in the middle United is forced to into wide areas, as has been the case in recent games.

With Rooney seemingly preferring a more direct role, Shinji Kagawa is the one man in the United squad capable of providing the missing link. Yet, dropping van Persie for Kagawa is unthinkable, leaving the Japanese out of favour and questioning his future at the club.

Moyes has always been keen on keen on having a player arrive late into the opposition box, which offers two separate targets to aim at with balls from wide areas. At Everton Tim Cahill and latterly Fellaini fulfilled the role, while at Old Trafford Rooney’s aerial presence might be weighing heavily in the former Everton manager’s mind.

Meanwhile, van Persie appears to be increasingly isolated in a United shirt, with United’s system not bringing the best out of the record Netherlands’ goalscorer.

These challenges bring to mind the once radical concept of false nine – a forward who drops deep – which is now mainstream tactical thinking. It is a role that might suit United’s Dutchman – in fact van Persie often played the role for Arsenal to great effect, with the former Arsenal player and Cesc Fabregas often devastating as a pair.

In Catalonia Lionel Messi is Barcelona’s false nine and his heroics outshine the fact that Barça’s wingers benefit from the space created by the Argentinean. At Old Trafford, allowing van Persie to drop deep might force opposition defenders to choose between letting the Dutchman crowd midfield or following him and leaving a gap in the defensive line.

Rooney and United’s wingers might even benefit from the additional movement in forward areas. The fact that Rooney, Januzaj and van Persie can all play as false nine suggests that the seemingly easy tactical switch of encouraging a forward to drop deep could inject the flair that United is desperate for.

In the plan van Persie will benefit from more touches of the ball, while United’s possession game – with just 76 per cent of passes completed against Southampton – will improve. The Dutchman’s presence in the hole would also allow midfielders to attack and Fellaini to offer his physical presence in the attacking third.

Retaining the ball for longer is advantageous in most situations, but it is particularly useful for United since Evra is better in the attacking than the defensive third.

Moyes is well known for his conservatism, but the concept of false nine is well documented and field tested. Spain won Euro 2012 with Cesc Fabregas dropping off opposition defenders, and Sir Alex is one of the pioneers of false nine, having used both Cristiano Ronaldo and Rooney in the role.

It is a bold step, but using van Persie in a new role could both solve many of United’s attacking problems and negate the need to bring in new attacking players, of whom Moyes may have little trust in any case.

Dozen Reds head to the World Cup

October 17, 2013 by Ed

Articles

Internationals, World Cup

As ever it was an international break of contrasting emotions. There is, of course, the tedium that international football sometimes brings, especially in Europe where identikit sides play out a standard of football that does not always compare well to the continental club game. Still, with places at next summer’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil at stake there was real tension in dozens of qualifying games across the globe. Not least for the dozen or so Manchester United players for whom next summer may bring glory, or an extended break.

And with the conclusion of the qualifying round – save for the few remaining play-offs – up to a dozen Reds will go to the World Cup in Brazil, with another handful hoping to make it through a final eliminator.

At home Roy Hodgson’s England qualified, in the end, with some ease, beating Montenegro and Poland in a double-header to clinch top spot in UEFA Group H. While England’s quality and playing style has been oft-criticised since an abominable showing at Euro 2012, Hodgson can legitimately point to a gradually improving side.

England is certainly some way short of the very best, but draw dependent will hope to qualify for the knock-out stages in Brazil, although a FIFA ranking of 10 means that Hodgson’s side will not be seeded.

Wayne Rooney scored the crucial opener in England’s 2-0 victory over Poland at Wembley on Tuesday, with Danny Welbeck and Michael Carrick also certain to be on the plane. Rooney’s strike against Poland was his 38th England goal – a sixth in eight matches this year – and a one scored without the protective headband worn in recent weeks.

“I went for a header just before the goal and it got knocked off,” said the 27-year-old, who is on course to beat Bobby Charlton’s England scoring record of 49 goals.

“Then I chased back and it was obviously still up there on the pitch as I didn’t have time to go back and get it. It probably helped me in some ways that it was off when the ball came in because I could direct it better. It is the first time I have headed the ball without it on, but hopefully come the weekend I won’t have to wear it.”

Chris Smalling and Phil Jones should also make the party, with Tom Cleverley’s participation very much dependent on the 23-year-old sealing a place in David Moyes’ United team. Ashley Young is seemingly out of favour at both club and international level, with Wilfried Zaha relegated to the under-21s for the time being.

However, former Red Ravel Morrison’s form is such that the West Ham United player could yet be a surprise call-up for the full team ahead of the World Cup.

Elsewhere in Europe there were mixed fortunes for Reds. David de Gea’s Spain qualified with predictable ease, although the 22-year-old ‘keeper will only go to Brazil if one or more of Vicente del Bosque’s first choice stoppers pulls out with injury. That said there is a legitimate observation that while Spain boasts strength in goalkeeping depth there are doubts about each of the leading contenders: Iker Casillas, Pepe Reina and Victor Valdes.

On the island of Ireland both north and south missed out on World Cup qualification. The Republic’s chances were officially extinguished by Germany last week, although in reality qualification has long since been a forlorn hope. Worse news came for former Red Darron Gibson who suffered a serious knee injury and is likely to miss the rest of the season.

In the north Jonny Evans was sent off against Azerbaijan as the Ulstermen finished fifth in a group of six, with qualification for a first major tournament since 1982 seemingly no nearer.

Meanwhile, in continental Europe Belgium beat Croatia in Zagreb to seal qualification, before playing out a tame 1-1 draw with Wales in Brussels. Marouanne Fellaini will be on the plane to Rio, although the midfielder’s disciplinary record is a genuine concern – United’s £27.5 million player missed the fixture with Wales due to suspension.

Youthful star Adnan Januzaj has a legitimate shot at making the Belgium squad, continued development permitting, although the 18-year-old has consistently refused call-ups at youth level. The Brussels-born winger is Kosovar-Albanian by parentage and eligible for Belgium, Albania, Serbia and the non-affiliated Kosovo at international level.

Neighbours Holland qualified undefeated as Robin van Persie became the leading scorer in the country’s history with a hat-trick in the Oranje’s 8-1 mauling of Hungary last week. van Persie’s 41 goals in 81 internationals now beats Patrick Kluivert’s 40 in 79.

“My record had to be broken eventually,” Kluivert told Dutch television.

“I’m delighted because Robin and I work together ahead of each international. It’s only a pleasure for me as an assistant coach that he scores so often. I held the record for 10 years and I’m really proud of that.”

Elsewhere Patrice Evra and Nani will face play-off eliminators in November, with France and Portugal finishing second in Groups F and I. The play-off draw takes place on Monday, with a clash between the two European heavyweights possible. Croatia, Sweden, Ukraine, Romania, Iceland, and Greece make up the eight European teams fighting for the final four spots in Brazil.

In South American Antonio Valencia’s Ecuador qualified for Brazil 2014 with a 1-0 victory over Uruguay, although La Tri lost a final CONMEBOL fixture away at Ángelo Henríquez’ Chile in Santiago. Henríquez has scored twice in three full internationals to date, but is only an outside bet to make the final World Cup squad.

Finally, hosts Brazil beat South Korea and Zambia in friendlies this week. Neither of the da Silva brothers made the Seleção or is likely to unless injuries force manager Luiz Felipe Scolari’s hand.

Further north Javier Hernández sat on the bench as Mexico had the United States to thank for a World Cup lifeline. El Tricolor’s dismal qualification campaign will conclude with a play-off against Oceana’s New Zealand in November, but Mexico remain in the competition only after the USA scored twice in the last three minutes to beat Panama 3-2 in Panama City on Tuesday.

Hernández will go should Mexico qualify, but a starting place is no longer guaranteed. The 25-year-old has scored 35 goals in 53 internationals, but has featured in just two Premier League games for David Moyes this season.

In Asia Japan long since qualified for the World Cup, although Shinji Kagawa complained after the Japanese lost to both Serbia and Belarus in friendlies this week. The United midfielder believes that lack of domestic football is negatively affecting his performances at international level. It is a patter at Old Trafford that threatens to cause much disquiet among Moyes’ squad.

“There’s a matter of fitness and there’s also that atmosphere of playing for my country,” Kagawa said.

“Maybe it’s because I’m not used to being on the pitch of late, but I didn’t feel like I was able to enter these two games properly. I felt strongly after these two matches that I need to play more.”

The same might be said for Cleverley, Smalling, Jones and Hernández – one of many challenges facing Moyes in a year when everyone wants to play.

Moyes has a key decision to make on Young’s future

October 14, 2013 by Jay Shon

Articles

Ashley Young

Despite being ultimately responsible for Manchester United’s fortunes David Moyes has been protected by fans to date; the argument being that the new manager has been proffered too little time to impose his own philosophy on the club. Fair enough, although there have been victims during the Scot’s early period at the club, including Ashley Young who is now considered the main culprit of United’s poor start. It has brought into question the winger’s future at the club.

The staggering rise of Adnan Januzaj has certainly not helped the former Aston Villa player’s position, although there are few, if any, United players who are playing to their potential.

Last season’s 20th league trophy epitomised Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign at Old Trafford – a decent squad went on to better more glamorous sides with little else but determination. In that three senior wingers – Antonio Valencia, Nani and Young – were collectively underwhelming, but England international was the best of the bunch.

Young boasted better shot accuracy and had more attempts at scoring than Nani and Valencia. The English winger created more chances per game as well. He also performed solidly in games against big sides when the Ecuadorian failed to impress and the Portuguese was not in the side at all. The fact that Young, who failed to score in 19 Premier League games, recorded better statistics than other senior wingers speaks to the genius of the retired United manager.

Young’s début season offered promise. Injuries limited the former Watford player to just 19 Premier League games, but he scored six goals and notched up seven assists. Prior to United’s 6-1 defeat to Manchester City, the Reds often deployed a swashbuckling 4-6-0 system where the front four of Young, Danny Welbeck, Wayne Rooney and Nani roamed at will, with Anderson and Tom Cleverley supporting the front players with almost reckless runs into attacking midfield positions.

This season Moyes’ team is playing with more structure. Robin Van Persie and Rooney are deployed as a traditional strike partnership and the central midfield duo does not consistently support the forwards.

Dribbling has never been one of Young’s great strengths – last season the English forward attempted one take-on per game, while Valencia tried 2.9 times per fixture. United’s opposition successfully marshals Young down the left flank and forces the right footed forward away from areas where he can use his stronger foot.

However, Ferguson often used Young in big matches, where in counterattacking situations, there is more space for Young’s pace and his right foot to shine.

The England international suffered twice as many fouls as Nani or Valencia last season – one data points that suggests opponents found Young far more threatening than the latter two. Crucially Rooney’s presence in the middle took some attention away from the former Aston Villa winger.

In part Young’s future depends on how Moyes handles Rooney, with the Scouser making it abundantly clear he has no interest in playing in midfield. The English striker’s recent admission that he is “enjoying” playing up front is a clear threat to the new United manager – a demand to which Moyes has acquiesced. With there being no chance of the Scot dropping Rooney to play Shinji Kagawa, Young is unlikely to receive the more central attacking midfield support he needs to be effective.

With little hope for a more permanent role, Young’s transfer should be considered, although at 28 the former Villa player would need to be sold sooner than later. The trouble is with Young acquired for more than £17 million, with wages reportedly topping £130,000 per week, there are few that can afford the England international. Let alone a long line of club’s seeking his ‘talents’.

Still, if Arsenal can find room for the limited, if speedy, Theo Walcott then there is little reason why United can’t utilise a player of Young’s ilk. After all, Young is a highly versatile player who can play across attacking midfield. Perhaps Sir Alex Ferguson’s comparison of Young and John O’Shea is prophetic after all.

Meanwhile, there is little role for Young elsewhere in the team, especially since Kagawa can’t get a game at number 10, the other position at which the England man has been used.

It leads to a conclusion – if Young remains at Old Trafford the right flank beckons. Young is a more direct than Valencia and the Englishman’s tendency to quickly cross could aid United in maintaining a high tempo, especially in counter-attacking situations. The former Wigan Athletic player’s tendency to get close to the box is becoming problematic to Moyes’ preferred game.

The fact that Young needs to cut in is a great hindrance on the left. On the opposite flank, though, the fact that Young can operate centrally is a burden to bear for the opposition. The Englishman has contributed defensively just as much as the Ecuadorian and a run on the right should be considered. Nani is more technically sound, and a greater attacking threat, but a more defensively responsible player is needed for certain occasions.

The burgeoning Januzaj will, of course, limit Young’s opportunities, and in any case, the current system will not bring out the best from the former Aston Villa player. But Moyes is likely to appreciate having a such versatile player in the squad and an experimental deployment on the right is tempting with Nani and Valencia struggling to convince.

David’s darlings

October 10, 2013 by Ingar Ulltveit-Moe

Articles

Adnan Januzaj, David Moyes, Youth players

Legendary Italian player Paolo Maldini was 35-years-old when asked if he still got nervous ahead of matches. “It’s much worse now”, he replied, “when you’re young, you don’t really care about all the fuss, you just want to prove yourself.” There’s probably a lot to learn from Maldini, and even more so when last Saturday’s game against Sunderland and subsequent goals from youngster Adnan Januzaj are put in to context.

Unlike many senior Manchester United players, the young Belgian-Albanian seemed to enjoy his football, looking eager to prove himself. There was no stress as Januzaj took two beautiful goals. The first a fine pass out to Patrice Evra on the left, with Sunderland hardman Lee Cattermole snipping at the young attacker’s heels, followed by a well-timed run in to the box and nice finish with his right. Januzaj’s second was even better when a poor John O’Shea clearance was hammered into the corner with a volley even Robin van Persie would have been proud of.

There’s no denying Januzaj a run in the first team now, not after Saturday’s display, especially if David Moyes considers Ashley Young to be the youngster’s main competitor on United’s left! England international Young hasn’t performed well in the United shirt since the Reds beat Manchester City at Ethiad in December, almost a year ago. Moyes probably realises this too, which perhaps is why Young was nowhere to be seen last weekend.

The soon-to-be-out-of-contract Januzaj actually became the youngest ever to score two goals in a Premier League game Saturday evening, so if Moyes and executive vice chairman Ed Woodward know a bit about what they’re doing – and the jury is still definitely out – they’ll make sure the youngster signs a lengthy, and profitable, contract extension. The club can ill afford another Paul Pogba situation.

Can you actually win something with kids; perhaps Moyes should look to Januzaj and other United starlets to save this so far dismal season? It’s not as if blame can be attached to any of the squad’s younger players for United’s tepid season start.

Take Rio Ferdinand, for example, who was omitted from the squad against Sunderland with a groin strain. The England international has been at fault for much that’s been going on in United’s defence this season. Both of Bayern Leverkusen’s goals in the Champions League came from Rio’s mistakes, and the same argument can be made of West Bromwich Albion’s goals at Old Trafford.

Which begs the question: where’s Johnny Evans? Thoroughly solid two seasons on the trot, the Northern Irishman seems to be another of United’s forgotten men after his comfortable display in his first game this season against Liverpool in the league cup. Maybe Moyes blames the international for United’s shock defeat against WBA?

Phil Jones should perhaps have done better when Sunderland scored the opening goal last Saturday, but United captain Nemanja Vidic won’t be pleased with the way he handed Craig Gardner the opening goal. And hasn’t Chris Smalling been pretty much outstanding when given the chance this campaign? Perhaps a little more faith in youth at the back is the way forward, while playing with some enthusiasm like Rafael Da Silva would be nice.

Januzaj might not be the sole bright young spot on offer for United this season. It was, after all, a masterclass save from ‘keeper David De Gea with the score still at 1-0 to the home side that kept United in the game.

And Tom ‘TC23’ Cleverley might deserve a few more games next to Michael Carrick in the centre of the park after two decent performances against Shaktar Donetsk and the second half against Sunderland. At least the Englishman brings a bit more energy than Marouane Fellaini, who so far seems to only be very good at passing the ball back to Carrick, or even further back towards one of United’s defenders.

Perhaps another one to claim a future place next to Carrick could be the attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard, who’s on loan to Birmingham City in the Championship until the end of October. Lingard proved during this summer’s marketing tour – formerly known as “preseason” – that he knows how to shoot, so there seems little to lose in offering the youngster time when the loan deal expires. Four goals in his first game for the Brummies prompted the experienced Birmingham assistant manager Terry McDermott to say it was the best debut he had ever seen.

Then there is Nick Powell, the first player to ever have scored a goal for Wigan Athletic in Europe – a player that was hailed by Crewe Alexandra legend Dario Gradi as one of the finest to emerge from the club’s acknowledged academy.

It is not too much to ask that talents such as Januzaj, Lingard and Powell are given a chance ahead of those that have been given many, but failed to impress. If only to make sure the senior players know that their places are under threat. After all, the aforementioned Pogba went from United’s bench to star at Juventus – it should never happen again.

It also might not be a bad idea to give Wilfried Zaha a first team debut sometime soon. The youngster could show a tad more creative spark than the ultra boring Antonio Valencia, a player that Patrice Evra once described by saying “I think he ate a motor!” Some how the Ecuadorian who has “eaten a motor” now fails to track back, pass opposition defenders or properly cross the ball. Maybe the motor is depleted?

Meanwhile, many seem to think that want-away star Wayne Rooney has been United’s finest so far, but his form is surely vastly overrated. The Scouser’s touch doesn’t look good – always a barometer – and running around like a very rich man’s Carlos Tevez isn’t going to win United enough matches, nor trophies, unless is for appreciating “effort” above all else.

Sadly, Rooney’s new-found striking partner Robin van Persie doesn’t look all that fit either, not after fluffing the chance he had to score United’s third goal against Sunderland when the Dutchman was through one on one with the home side’s ‘keeper. van Persie in good form would score in a position like that. Possibly even in his sleep.

There is even an argument – a brutal one – that a younger guard in Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernández have earned a chance during the coming run of ‘favourable fixtures.’

“Manchester United has always relied hugely on young players and my priority will always be to promote these talents”, Moyes said this summer. Now is the time to prove it, David, and play your darlings!

Monthly Archives: October 2013

Momentum, at last

After years in the shadows Evans becomes the main man

Kagawa’s new role offers attacking balance and a defensive headache

Preview: United v Stoke City

Shinji freed, but Moyes’ mindset remains shackled

Preview: United v Real Sociedad

van Persie could benefit from new role

Dozen Reds head to the World Cup

Moyes has a key decision to make on Young’s future

David’s darlings