Manchester United's journey in Europe, ends from where it began- Old Trafford! They travelled across five countries in search of European glory, but return back home empty handed!
Manchester United's performance in Europe has been awful, they managed three wins out of ten games in Europe, only one at Old Trafford.
Manchester United have been struck by B-phobia and stripolisis virus. They have lost all their games in Europe against teams with their starting letter being B.
Benfica, Basel and now Bilbao! The stripolisis virus has spread in the highest manner at Old Trafford. Barcelona, Basel and now Bilbao!
Who is to blame for United's exit in Europe? Should Fergie make additions to his squad? Is it time for Fergie to retire?
Well, let's look at some facts, results and answer the above questions that have been the talk of the town!
Champions League:
Form Guide: D D W W D L
Manchester United began their Champions League campaign with a hard earned draw against Benfica and followed by a dramatic draw at home against Basel thanks to birthday boy Ashley Young's equaliser in the last minute.
United recorded wins against Galati both away and at home. The wins didn't last long, as De Gea's mistake cost United and resulted to an equaliser from Benfica. The draw meant that United had to win/draw their game against Basel.
Man United were favourites to win the game, but their poor form continued and Basel recorded a win that sent United packing!
Sir Alex was stunned, he couldn't believe what he just witnessed! The runners up of last year's final were the first team to go to Europa League!
SAF's squad shuffling cost United their Champions league place and led them to Europa League. At times he was forced to shuffle his squad due to injuries. Tom Cleverley, Vidic, Nani, Ferdinand, Anderson never played in all the games. The absence of a constant back four was the reason United conceded goals way easily.
On the other hand, SAF has a tendency to sometimes slightly under estimate his opponents and would therefore gamble with his squad. Gambling is a game of chance, you can't hit the jackpot every time. Unfortunately, Ferguson didn't play his cards right and cost him the jackpot!
Europa League:
Form Guide: W L L L
Sir Alex had promise to take the Europa League seriously and he fielded a strong squad against Ajax. Despite an average performance, United cruised to a 2-0 win.
The return leg at OT was full of drama. Despite taking the lead in the game, United were defeated by Ajax but still managed to go through to the next round.
Athletico Bilbao were drawn against United for their round of 16 game, with the first leg to be played at OT. The Spanish opposition came with high spirits and outplayed United and left the stadium with a 3-2 win over United!
Manchester United's European dreams hanged by a thread, they needed a two goal win in Spain to go through to the next round.
United have only won two out of their sixteen games in Spain and that was enough to prove that they had a big task ahead. Bilbao once again outclassed United with slick passing and should have won the game by 7 goals had they taken their chances well. Bilbao won the game 2-1 and recorded a 5-3 aggregate victory over United.
The 19 time Premier League Champions were sent back home in the most disgraceful way.
Sir Alex was again to be blamed for his squad selection in the first leg against Benfica, where he chose to play Park and Jones in midfield. On the other hand, Smalling and Evans couldn't keep Llorente quiet, whilst Rafael had nightmares with Munian on his wing.
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| Bidding farewell to Europe.... |
Should Fergie Invest In His Squad?
Manchester City's spending spree has made United's fans envious of their neighbours and have been calling for SAF to follow suit.
Sir Alex has been at United for 25 years, he has seen the likes of Leeds, Newcastle, Chelsea and now Man City enjoy financial power but are yet to be as successful as Fergie!
Sir Alex doesn't need a major overhaul of the squad, instead he needs to replace Paul Scholes and bring in a defender similar to N. Vidic. That is the only area United need to invest.
Supporters should take in mind that Tom Cleverley, Paul Pogba, F. Macheda, D. Welbeck will play a vital role next season should they remain injury free.
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| Paul Scholes Called Off Retirement To Help Man Utd! |
Is it time for Fergie to retire?
Well, I personally would disagree with anyone who calls in for Fergie's retirement. Supporters need to understand that SAF is building a team, this is his fourth building team in 25 years.
From the Class of 94, to the Treble winners of 98/99 and the Vintage of 2008, Manchester United have been the powerhouse in England.
If this team would be given to any other manager, there would be no way that United would be at the top of the premier league. A squad of injury struck players with most of them being youths, challenging the title against a 400 million pound team is what defines Manchester United as the greatest team in England.
The likes of Arsenal, Liverpool who had a squad re enforcement of 100 million pound, Tottenham who have spent wisely in the transfer market and star studded Chelsea have failed to chase Man City all season. The only team that has has managed to put City under constant pressure and finally pin them down is not Manchester United, but it is Sir Alex Ferguson. He is the team, he is the master mind and the greatest coach in footballing history.
No man is perfect, and that has been visible in SAF's decisions this season. He has made some risky gambles in his squad selection which has cost him in Europe and the EPL.
However, let the bad not overshadow the good. Let's look at the positives from this season, although there seems to be no positives from Europe.
If Manchester United do win the EPL, then they have done it with a squad of 11 players and not the required 23 men squad. Manchester United have never had their full team all season but have shown the spirit of Champions.
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| Title No. 20 is on sight! |
Hence, we can say that United have been poor in Europe and have no one but themselves to blame and to an extent the blame can be pushed towards the injury crisis that the team has faced all season. However, SAF needs to avoid squad shuffling time and again and take his oppositions seriously.
Much will be said, much can be said and Manchester United will be on the receiving end of criticisms. They do deserve constructive criticisms for their poor run in Europe but at the same time do require some sympathy for their injury crisis. It's time for Fergie to go back home and make sure he brings title No. 20 to OT
Adios Europa,
tu,
el Manchester United!
Mj Kassam
I think the main problem with united is that we are too soft in Midfield... against Bilbao, all united needed was a player in the middle to break their rhythm. They kept moving the ball and we just kept containing them, no one like Essien, Makelele, Keane to get stuck in and break some legs.
ReplyDeleteUnited need to replace Fletcher. He is getting older and not much fitter. We need someone creative, as good as Pogba might be he isnt a player who will take over in the next few years. Cleverly is good but he isnt a creative spark more a passer of the ball.
We need De Rossi and a player like Eden Hazard!
Agreed.
ReplyDeleteHowever, Anderson does a Great job as well.
But as I said, Scholesy needs a perfect replacement.
United have never replaced Keane and I don't think they would ever be able to do so.
Keano's a legend!
Good article, may allah bless you with many years so you can keep writing great articles and getting amazing comments like the one above. You have really MIXed soccer with everyday lives and also touched the readers hearts and thanks to Allah you will do well in the future...
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion Liverpool is better than United coz United miss that killer instinct... And Rio Ferdinand is the worst player to ever wear a united jersey and not only that he is the worst player to grace the football pitch... But thanks to almightly allah he has tried to prove himself but he has failed...
We need De Rossi and a player like Eden Hazard!
Thank you very much for your kind words,
ReplyDeleteIndeed it is because of your support that motivates me to write the articles.
In regards to your opinion about Liverpool being better than United- well, I can't deny your opinion but yes both of them are better than each other in different ways. Liverpool have 5 European trophies compared to United's 3 whilst United have 19 League titles compared to Liverpool's 18.
Yes Manchester United do need to sign amid the injury crisis and it is something that SAF will certainly do in the summer.
Once again I appreciate your kind words of support and welcome your opinion(s) in any articles, we learn from each other.
Thanks.