March 2017 – No Question About That

Van Gaal’s rotten transfer legacy: 13 players, five departures and lots of questions

March 24, 2017 by Ed

Bastian Schweinsteiger’s long-proposed move to Chicago Fire was finally completed this week, with the German heading Stateside ahead of the new MLS season. The World Cup winner left with a classy parting message to Manchester United fans and seemingly no bitterness, despite what has been a difficult and unproductive 18 months at Old Trafford. Schweinsteiger’s departure means that five of Louis van Gaal’s 10 signings as United manager have now left the club. Of those who remain perhaps only two can be considered successful, each with caveats attached. It is a truly rotten legacy.

Mourinho gains from back three experiment, but Pogba is the man to lose out

March 20, 2017 by Magnus Henderson

Articles

José Mourinho, Tactics

Antonio Conte’s decision to adopt the 3-4-3 formation at Chelsea has been influential in the narrative of the Premier League season. While Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have stumbled over different formations and team selections, Conte has persisted with the shape that brought him so much success with Juventus and the Italian national team. Chelsea’s balance of defensive solidity, work ethic in midfield, and mercurial attacking talents have pushed the Londoners to within touching distance of the title.

Shattered Reds face Middlesbrough test

March 18, 2017 by Ed

Articles

Middlesbrough, Premier League

As weeks go, Manchester United’s was certainly mixed. FA Cup defeat to Chelsea on Monday came amid the controversy of Ander Herrera’s dismissal and Antonio Conte’s accusation of Red-flavoured anti-football. The former was certainly unfortunate, the latter misleading. Then, on Thursday, José Mourinho’s side eased into the Europa League quarter-final in unspectacular fashion, albeit in the process of losing world-record signing Paul Pogba to injury. Mourinho believes a heavy schedule is catching up on the club. It could get worse before it gets better.

The Mkhi-Mata LP

March 17, 2017 by Thariq Amir

Articles

Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Juan Mata

At the season’s start the suggestion that José Mourinho would start with both Juan Mata and Henrikh Mkhitaryan would have been summarily dismissed. The notion that the pair could be picked in the same team has seemed fanciful for much of the campaign. After all, Mata and Mourinho shared a chequered history together at Chelsea, while Mkhitaryan was frozen out of the first team picture altogether for a large chunk of the season. Yet, the duo could be the club’s most important combination as United enter the business end of the season.

Manchester United v FC Rostov, Europa League, Old Trafford 16 March 2017

Road-weary Reds prepare for Rostov decider

March 15, 2017 by Liam Bryce

Articles

Europa League, Rostov

The dust has barely settled on Manchester United’s frustrating FA Cup exit at Chelsea, but José Mourinho’s men must now rouse themselves for the arrival of FC Rostov. The Reds rarely fare well at Stamford Bridge, and Monday’s defeat was just another in a long line of disappointing visits. N’Golo Kante’s second-half strike ended United’s hopes of retaining the FA Cup, but the Europa League represents another opportunity for silverware – not to mention a route back to the continent’s top table.

In a season of progress, Ander Herrera’s influence grows most

March 15, 2017 by Magnus Henderson

Articles

Ander Herrera

There are few greater crimes in football than Louis van Gaal’s decision to sideline Ander Herrera for much of his two-year reign. It had little to with the Spaniard’s ability. The midfield terrier has plenty of talent. Instead, Herrera’s exclusion appeared to be a clash of ideologies. Van Gaal’s possession obsession versus Herrera’s aggression; the Dutchman’s patience against a streak of recklessness. No longer. Herrera is important again, a man fit for José Mourinho’s regime. One fully understood by his manager, and the supporters.

On referees and fake news

March 14, 2017 by Ed

Articles

Chelsea, FA Cup, Referees

The pattern is familiar: a high profile game, a hotly debated decision, pundits grasping loosely for facts in an opinionated world, and irate supporters venting frustration across social media. It was no different on Monday night, as referee Michael Oliver booked Ander Herrera twice inside 35 minutes at Stamford Bridge, in one moment ruining both the spectacle and Manchester United’s chances of retaining the FA Cup. To many United supporters Oliver’s performance was an aberration; to most others, a delight.

Chelsea v Manchester United, FA Cup Sixth Round, Stamford Bridge, 13 March 2017

Strikerless Reds head to Stamford Bridge in search of unlikely Cup glory

March 12, 2017 by Thomas Willoughby

Articles

Chelsea, FA Cup

Another week, another frustrating draw. In what is quickly becoming the standard result for José Mourinho’s side, Manchester United braved a 3,750 mile round trip to Rostov to return with yet another stalemate. It was, at least, a result that should be enough to see the Reds through to the Europa League quarter-final. An FA Cup tie at Chelsea on Monday represents another challenge again.

Paul Pogba: Beyond the hysteria

March 10, 2017 by Liam Bryce

Articles

Paul Pogba

As the world’s most expensive footballer took a wild swing-and-miss in the dying embers of Manchester United’s dismal draw with AFC Bournemouth last weekend the sound of knives being sharpened was almost audible. The reaction to that pivotal miscue was a perfect snapshot of the hyperbolic culture that has ingrained itself in modern football. There is no better example of the phenomenon than Paul Pogba.

FC Rostov v Manchester United, Olimp-2 Stadium, Europa League, 9 March 2017

Reds head into the unknown in pursuit of Europa glory

March 8, 2017 by Ed

Articles

Europa League, FC Rostov

What once was Manchester United’s fourth priority this season is now rapidly climbing in importance. The Europa League may be the tournament of losers and failures, but victory in the final on 24 May in Stockholm comes with the prize of Champions League football next season. The Reds may need it, especially after José Mourinho’s side dropped yet more points at home last weekend. Fourth place or better is now out of United’s hands.

Monthly Archives: March 2017

Van Gaal’s rotten transfer legacy: 13 players, five departures and lots of questions

Mourinho gains from back three experiment, but Pogba is the man to lose out

Shattered Reds face Middlesbrough test

The Mkhi-Mata LP

Road-weary Reds prepare for Rostov decider

In a season of progress, Ander Herrera’s influence grows most

On referees and fake news

Strikerless Reds head to Stamford Bridge in search of unlikely Cup glory

Paul Pogba: Beyond the hysteria

Reds head into the unknown in pursuit of Europa glory