Edwin van der Sar was quoted as saying United’s next few games, beginning with the one against Middlesbrough, would determine the course of the team’s season. If that indeed is the case then United fans had best brace themselves for disappointment.
United started the first of their “season-deciding” matches in their blue away strip but ended the match red-faced as they succumbed meekly 1-4 to Boro (BBC, Soccernet, Guardian, ManUtd.com). What was particularly dismaying was the manner in which United allowed themselves to be dominated by McClaren’s team. This United team never really looked like they were going to battle their way back into contention in this match.
United had problems all over the pitch but the game was lost in the middle of the field. United’s central midfield pairing of Scholes and Smith were outclassed at every turn by Mendieta, Boateng and Rochemback. Smith may have Keane’s fire, grit and determination but not his footballing brain and as a ball-winner, the ex-forward leaves a lot to be desired. Scholes is merely going through the motions this season and it must be only a matter of time before the manager relegates the stand-in captain to a well-deserved stint on the substitutes’ bench.
It’s always painful to see the Red Devils lose but it’s a lot more painful to watch them play like this. Where did the confident swashbuckling attacking style disappear to? We’ve only seen it sporadically this season and it wasn’t regularly evident last season either. The last occasion I can remember being thrilled by United’s attacking play was in the first half of the match against Fulham. The measured approach with pragmatic, conservative play geared towards earning 1-0 wins doesn’t really suit a club with United’s attacking tradition.
There’s little indication United will be able to inflict upon Chelsea their first Premiership defeat of the season next Sunday. Indeed, it is entirely likely United will be humiliated yet again.
There’s still some reason for optimism, though. It’s possible United will once again rise to the occasion. The pundits may all speak of Chelsea’s invincibility now but most pundits were still saying the title was Arsenal’s to lose last season until United beat Wenger’s “Invincibles” home and away in the Premiership.
