Shambolic is the only way to describe last night and in fact the majority of our Champions League campaign this season.
In a group that we were expected to win it would have been a slight embarrassment to finish runners up, but to not qualify at all and to suffer the shame of dropping into the Europa league is inexcusable for a club our size. Manchester United dont have a divine right to qualify or to win every competiton they enter, but with the quality of teams we were up against and our experience of the competition you would expect the best from our club, something we didnt get close to.
For a season that started off so promising it really is starting to turn into one to forget, a poor quality of football on display that doesnt entertain, players not showing passion for the club, an ever increasing injury list and at least 3 patheticly limp dispalys from United this season in the form of City, Palace and of course Basle.
So whats wrong then? where can the finger of blame be put? the answer is probably we all have some blame.
The group stages didnt throw up any "massive" games, the fans that turned up didnt feel that usual Champions League night feeling and sat there waiting to be entertained, we've all been guilty of it at some point its human nature. The fans sat there waiting, the atmosphere didnt (not that it should) inspire the players... is that a possible excuse? maybe had something to do with it!
Then we have the players, some who are playing well within themselves. You have Wayne Rooney who just doesnt look "up for it" anymore, 3 times he lost possesion last night and made little or no attempt to get the ball back (transfer request coming!). You have Ashley Young who hasnt done anything of note since that Arsenal game after a very bright start. Patrice Evra whos form has gone - possibly for good in the colours of United.
There is without doubt a core group of players at United that arent up to the task but they havent been moved on, there is a stubborness that they will "come good" at some point, Anderson for example, picks up injuries every season and is massivley inconsistent yet his place at United seems secure.
I have no doubt that a debt free United would have moved these players on and brought in what was needed.
"But we spent millions in the summer!" - Very true, we brought in players that are young and can be sold on for bigger sums when the time is right - The typical Glazer signing.
The signings were great dont get me wrong but the position that needed a mass overhaul was neglected for another successive summer - The Engine Room!
Im fed up writing and talking about the midfield, its clear that at least 2 world class midfielders were needed and have been for a while yet for whatever reason nothings been done about it. Its a real shame that something like this has had to happen to highlight the fact.
This United team isnt as bad as whats been made out, we saw at the begining of the season that a United with Cleverley in the side is already a much better one. Its frightening to think what this team could achieve with 2 extra players in midfield, as soona s that problems sorted the better and United will be back to the team that we have been used to these past 20 years!
In a group that we were expected to win it would have been a slight embarrassment to finish runners up, but to not qualify at all and to suffer the shame of dropping into the Europa league is inexcusable for a club our size. Manchester United dont have a divine right to qualify or to win every competiton they enter, but with the quality of teams we were up against and our experience of the competition you would expect the best from our club, something we didnt get close to.
For a season that started off so promising it really is starting to turn into one to forget, a poor quality of football on display that doesnt entertain, players not showing passion for the club, an ever increasing injury list and at least 3 patheticly limp dispalys from United this season in the form of City, Palace and of course Basle.
So whats wrong then? where can the finger of blame be put? the answer is probably we all have some blame.
The group stages didnt throw up any "massive" games, the fans that turned up didnt feel that usual Champions League night feeling and sat there waiting to be entertained, we've all been guilty of it at some point its human nature. The fans sat there waiting, the atmosphere didnt (not that it should) inspire the players... is that a possible excuse? maybe had something to do with it!
Then we have the players, some who are playing well within themselves. You have Wayne Rooney who just doesnt look "up for it" anymore, 3 times he lost possesion last night and made little or no attempt to get the ball back (transfer request coming!). You have Ashley Young who hasnt done anything of note since that Arsenal game after a very bright start. Patrice Evra whos form has gone - possibly for good in the colours of United.
There is without doubt a core group of players at United that arent up to the task but they havent been moved on, there is a stubborness that they will "come good" at some point, Anderson for example, picks up injuries every season and is massivley inconsistent yet his place at United seems secure.
I have no doubt that a debt free United would have moved these players on and brought in what was needed.
"But we spent millions in the summer!" - Very true, we brought in players that are young and can be sold on for bigger sums when the time is right - The typical Glazer signing.
The signings were great dont get me wrong but the position that needed a mass overhaul was neglected for another successive summer - The Engine Room!
Im fed up writing and talking about the midfield, its clear that at least 2 world class midfielders were needed and have been for a while yet for whatever reason nothings been done about it. Its a real shame that something like this has had to happen to highlight the fact.
This United team isnt as bad as whats been made out, we saw at the begining of the season that a United with Cleverley in the side is already a much better one. Its frightening to think what this team could achieve with 2 extra players in midfield, as soona s that problems sorted the better and United will be back to the team that we have been used to these past 20 years!
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