Club Focus – Manchester United – Late goals conceded give United cause for regret
On the face of things it hasn’t been a bad start to the season for Manchester United. In all competitions they are unbeaten in sixteen competitive games, winning eleven of those. The statistics add up, but does everything else?
Far and wide it’s been perceived as a bit of a mixed bag for United who lie five points adrift of league leaders Chelsea. Unbeaten they may be, but unshaken they are not. Partially due to that five point gap has been a worrying precedent to drop points from winning positions – a sacrilege for any side harbouring title ambitions. The nature of those too are of greater concern. Everton’s astounding stoppage-time escape provides the most evident example. Fulham equalised in stoppage time. West Brom fought back from two down at old Trafford, as did Liverpool who eventually succumbed. Twelve goals conceded as opposed to Chelsea’s three. Nine games gone and in and in almost half of those they will look back in anger on.
Of course, the Wayne Rooney issue has hindered things. Last term Rooney was United’s outstanding player and arguably masked a few of the shortfalls which have surfaced this season. A combination of Rooney off-song and then injured has served to highlight the lack of spark United possess. Dimitar Berbatov impressed in the early weeks but hasn’t scored of late, whilst Nani continually offers United’s most appealing threat. Aside from that, it has all been too predictable.
On top of this there’s been the ongoing consternation about the Glazer regime which culminated in a 3000 strong protest march against the ownership ahead of Saturday’s tussle with Spurs. The publication of the latest financial figures at the start of October revealed record turnover and operating profits, yet also showed a gargantuan loss of over £80m. Sir Alex Ferguson has constantly reiterated he has money at his disposal, but the lack of investment in playing reinforcements has been notable, and it took a Ferguson master class and reassurances from the Glazers to convince Rooney that United are still, and will continue to be the force they have been.
Overall there are many question marks about United this season, and perhaps a testament to their sustainability is that they now stand where they are - just adrift of the leaders and serenely progressing through Europe. How things advance from here depends whether the red glass is half empty or half full. The pessimists view is that United are entrenched in a decline set about by an ageing team, a squad shorn of the class it has previously boasted, and all against the backdrop of crippling debts that are proving more than restrictive to the quality of United’s player pool. The more positive view is that they simply have been off the boil during the first quarter of the season, and with Rooney returning, a young and talented squad improving as they go, and still with the imperious Sir Alex ruddering the ship, United are ominously poised in the slipstream ready to make a move.
Quite what is the truth is difficult to fathom. The side’s performances leave a lot to be desired but haven’t we seen this before? And of course, Ferguson’s smoke and mirrors tricks means it’s impossible to grasp what’s going on behind the scenes. Manchester United are in a fascinating juxtaposition at the moment, which way of the divide things go could shape them for the foreseeable future.
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