Its shaping out to be one of the most difficult seasons in recent years for Manchester United.
We lost, and exited group stage deservedly. All analysis aside, United just wasn’t good enough. Awful finishing, inconsistent defense, no creative spark. Injuries definitely played a part, but even so – the lineups we fielded against our opponents should have been more than enough. While Madrid and Barcelona are consistently beating group stage opponents by multiple goals, we scraped by on a couple penalties against Otelul Galati. The hard, but clearly evident truth is that we simply are not playing at their level at this moment in time. And that is unacceptable for this club.
The only perceivable consolation is that City didn’t advance, but even that isn’t really a consolation because it looks bad for the EPL. Credit goes to David Silva who scored a beautiful curler. He deserves to show his talents in the Champions League, and its a damn shame that City didn’t play so well earlier on.
We have points to make up against City between now and the end of the season, and perhaps it would be wiser to invest the squad’s time and training in the domestic arena. Europa league is Europa league. I wouldn’t be devastated if we exited this competition soon. I’d find it a lot more appealing to focus on domestic exploits this season, and maybe aiming for a domestic double with the league title and the FA cup. Its a good opportunity for Sir Alex to take a hard look at the midfield, and think about his options. I still maintain that United does NOT need a new center midfielder, as I think we have a great asset in Tom Cleverley. His rapid, expansive passing has changed our game and we have missed him very very much. I’d rather take the time to invest and develop in our academy player than buy from outside, even if its means we sacrifice a trophy or two this year.
El Clasico is upon us!
I said at the start of the season that Madrid will win the league title this year. And I maintain that. I think Mourinho has truly decreased the gap in gameplay between the two sides with tweaks in his tactics and having Ronaldo noticeably change his game. Even if Madrid loses both clasicos, they will win that league because they are more ruthless than Barca against the other 18 teams in La Liga. Its going to be a fantastic clasico, and I just hope Barca keeps diving to a minimum, and Madrid keeps elbowing to a minimum. Both sides are guilty of displaying poor sportsmanship in different ways, and its better for all of us if they make a concerted effort to make it more about the game than about trying to lure the ref to their side for 90 minutes.
I want to make a late tribute to Gary Speed, who passed away two weeks ago. For as long as I’ve watched the EPL, Gary Speed was playing. To me, he was always that old guy, that 30 something year old that’s still going strong. I always make it a point of mine to not comment on players I don’t watch, so I won’t comment on his game. Gary Speed played regularly at a time when I watched only United and rarely anybody else, but the one thing I can recall from distant memory is that no one ever said a bad word about Gary Speed – a truly remarkable achievement in a footballing environment such as England. From what I remember, he was a fair player, a versatile team player, and had a certain charisma that all the managers praised. I think it speaks volumes of a man when the fans of every stadium in England sing his song without hesitation. I saw him more as a manager, and Wales has lost the leader that inspired them from the hopelessness that they were to one of the most exciting up-and-coming international sides in current times. Rest in peace Gary Speed, and may generations of footballers learn from your fine example.
The footballing world on Gary Speed (Source: BBC UK)
“Gary Speed was one of the nicest men in football and someone I am honoured to call a team-mate and friend.” – Giggsy
“My first PL game game was against him, he showed me in that game what British football is about.” – Xabi Alonso
“He was an excellent servant to the club, the ultimate professional, and an exceptional role model for younger players.” – Newcastle United
The Beautiful Game 