Tag Archives: champions league

Running on the Spot

Looking at the current form table, you’d be forgiven for thinking that United’s season has started to turnaround in recent weeks. 4 wins from the last 5 league games is perfectly agreeable as long as you don’t dwell on the quality of opposition faced or the state of the performances. Current league form aside, the European campaign has been a complete disaster and Newcastle ensured that they’ll be no repeat of last season’s Energy Drink Cup “triumph.”

The worst performance was saved for last month’s Manchester derby – an excruciating afternoon which once again highlighted the gaping chasm that exists between ourselves and our blue brethren. Back when we reigned supreme and City were a national laughing stock they at least used to turn up for this fixture more often than not. Watching United unleash their laboured half-press against the best team in Europe led to an entirely predictable outcome. Yet again, it wasn’t the defeat that stung, it was the sheer ease of it.

The run up to the game was dominated by the sad news of Sir Bobby Charlton’s passing. The term “legend” is bandied about so casually these days that the true meaning of the word can be diminished, but Sir Bobby was a genuine legend in the world of sport. I was lucky enough to meet him on a couple of occasions and each time found him to be a total gentleman, the opposite of the cold and brusque figure I’d heard others describe him as previously. An incredible man who lived an incredible life and who’ll never be forgotten.

As mentioned above, the team’s performances in Europe have done nothing to dampen the sense that United are out of their depth at CL level and the Europa would present a more realistic target. (Granted, Thursday nights are a pain in the arse as would be the absence of Saturday daytime kick offs). Bayern were always going to be tough opposition but Copenhagen and Galatasaray should be canon fodder for any team likely to reach the later stages.

Galatasaray were there for the taking at OT had the team maintained even a minimum level of composure after taking the lead – but we seem hellbent on conceding each time we score at present. The Copenhagen away game was United’s season encapsulated in 90 minutes. Only this team could be 2-0 up and coasting 5 mins before HT then contrive to get a man sent off and concede 2 goals prior to heading down the tunnel. I can’t even get mad at them as it’s just so bleakly comic.

Thanks to a brittle defence, crap refereeing, VAR punishing us at every opportunity and some inexplicably inept goalkeeping we could be classed as fortunate to have not been knocked out already. All we need to do now is win in Turkey (no biggie with our mentality monsters) then beat Bayern at home and we should be sorted. The likelihood is, sadly, that we’ve already been rolled over in Istanbul by the time you’re reading this.

I detest using injuries, referees or VAR as excuses but we seem utterly cursed at the moment. VAR results in at least double the amount of questionable decisions the technology was proposed to eradicate and in practice, proves no less subjective than a referee making an instant decision without back up. There’s no doubt it’s made the match day experience significantly worse and instead of highlighting goals incorrectly ruled out, seems far more focused on penalising players for minuscule offside transgressions or unavoidable handballs.

Sadly, there’s zero chance of common sense taking hold to put an end to the madness. There’s too much invested in VAR for it to be removed and I’d argue those in charge of the game actively welcome the constant debate around the subject. The never-ending controversy drives social media engagement and that’s how these organisations measure success. If Sky didn’t have it, how on earth would they fill the 25 hours of airtime spent droning on about the subject every single week? Not to mention the fact it now merits its own dedicated programme.

No team does seethe quite like Everton, so it was heartening to discover that United’s (probable) final visit to Goodison Park would see their perma-outraged support even more unhappy than usual – this of course, due to the PL handing them a 10 point deduction for PSR rule breaches between 2019 and 2022. Naturally, they aren’t happy with the decision at all, which has led to predictable cries of “corruption!” and plans for protest at forthcoming games.

Whilst I can sympathise and understand Everton fans’ frustrations, I don’t think the penalty they’ve received is all that egregious. Whilst the club were reportedly transparent with the numbers posted and worked hard to find a resolution with the PL, the fact is they broke the rules and they’ve been handed an appropriate punishment. As for the PL being corrupt, I’m not convinced about that either. They aren’t corrupt, they’re just inept and incapable of controlling the cesspit of billionaires they’ve collated over the last couple of decades.

What must rankle most from an Evertonian perspective is the fact they’ve been charged once and found guilty, whereas a certain other club have been charged 115 times yet continue to deny all culpability whilst claiming to possess reams of evidence proving their innocence. This evidence, presumably, the same as what was presented to the PL during the 4 year investigation which resulted in the 115 charges in the first place.

Clearly, it’s easier to rule on a single charge than a total of 115, but the fallout from this isn’t going away until the PL reach a conclusion and administer some kind of justice for what appears to be multiple breaches of their own rules. It might take another couple of years of stalling tactics and further appeals, but we all know what’s coming eventually. City fans can continue to deny it whilst their Abu Dhabi paymeisters spend another billion on the greatest collection of lawyers ever assembled but it’s inevitable. I honestly cannot wait.

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New Dawn Fades

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So new year, new Woodward leaving announcement. Although Ed’s time in charge has been characterised by indecision and incompetence, he saved one of his best until last. After taking an age to pull the plug on Solskjaer’s reign, he then decided to bring in Ralf Rangnick in an interim role. I’m not pouring scorn on Herr Rangnick’s credentials here, it’s just I can’t quite get my head around the decision to appoint an outsider on a temporary basis. Why not just pay any compensation due and bring in the preferred choice now? I don’t see what’s to be gained from recruiting a handful of new coaching staff who’ll likely be surplus to requirements in 6 months’ time.

I know Rangnick has been promised a consultancy role beyond the end of the season, but we all know that’s just window dressing and his input will be negligible once the next manager is in place. I predict now that he won’t last very long because United don’t accommodate football people amongst the nodding dogs holding true positions of power. “We desperately need an overhaul of ze operating structure at zis club.” “Oh, cheers for that Ralf, very insightful. I’ll tell Joel when he calls in next week. He’s scuba-diving in the Bahamas, currently.”

If you think I’m exaggerating, recall what happened last time anyone stepped out of their lane and tried to challenge the power structure at the club. I know Mourinho went quietly bonkers during the autumn of 2018, but there was a time a few months prior to that when he still had all his faculties in place. Mourinho wanted Maguire in and to be rid of both Pogba and Martial that summer, yet the people above him at the club knew better. That turned out well, didn’t it? The pair of them still need bombing out of the place 3 years on and Maguire (rightly or wrongly) was signed 12 months later for a vastly inflated £80M. Do you honestly think the board will do anything other than pay lip service to the recommendations of a consultant? They decided not to listen to a manager who’d won multiple European trophies.

Excuse my cynicism, but if United genuinely desired an experienced director of football to control budgets and make strategic decisions, they would made such an appointment years ago. Instead, they considered it for a while and then chose not to bother. That’s why we’ve suffered nearly 10 years of abject failure under Woodward’s direction, completely out his depth and haplessly veering from one catastrophic managerial appointment to the next. Consider the club’s global standing when he took charge back in 2013 and consider it now. It’s no exaggeration to say his time in charge has been an unmitigated disaster.

So does Rangnick’s proposed consultancy hint at some recognition of this and are changes likely? Of course not. By promoting Woodward’s long-term understudy and fellow Bristol alumni Richard Arnold, the club have signalled their intention to follow precisely the same path they’ve been on for the last decade. It’s a direct like-for-like replacement that shows exactly where priorities will remain until the Glazer occupation eventually ceases. The pursuit of profit trumps any desire to return United to the pinnacle of football. Millions will be squandered on meme footballers and share dividends whilst midfielders remain unsigned and OT becomes so decrepit it’ll resemble a relic from a previous century.

If Rangnick figured he had a job on his hands when taking over, a month later the full extent of the task he’s facing is quite evident. The response of the players to a more demanding regime has been every bit as underwhelming as you might have anticipated. There’s been no upturn in performance levels and the body language continues to speak volumes about the lack of character in the squad. Fair play to the lads, they gave it all of 3 weeks before the whining commenced and leaks began to appear in the press. One only hopes that the (checks notes) 17 players allegedly seeking a move get their wish over the coming weeks and months.

The chances of a mass exodus are non-existent, sadly. Previous years have demonstrated how wildly off-kilter United’s salaries are compared to other clubs, so players are content to see out lengthy contracts without seeking a move. The manner in which we’ve accumulated such a bloated, underperforming collection of entitled “George Clooneys” is just another damning indictment of Woodward’s tenure. Failure and mediocrity have been rewarded routinely. Patience is shown when it’s simply not merited. Standards haven’t just slipped, they’ve been retired completely.

Whether it’s Ralf or the next manger who’s tasked with plotting a course for the club over the next few years, something radically different is required. Signing players in their mid-thirties has to stop for starters. No matter the class of Cavani, I simply don’t see how the overall investment is worth it when the player is pining for warmer climes and constantly injured. Oh so they’ve had a chat and he’s agreed to stay until the end of the season? How very noble of him honouring a contract he only agreed 6 months ago.

This is a more controversial one, but I still don’t see what Ronaldo has brought us aside from a boatload of hype and several last minute goals. You could justifiably point the finger at his teammates, but being totally honest, the lad himself has been largely anonymous in the majority of games this season. He’s not the biggest problem at the club by any stretch, but he’s certainly not improved the team in any way. There’s no sense in buying expensive cake decorations when you don’t even possess the basic ingredients to bake one. Or some such metaphor, I dunno.

One thing we do have to thank Ronnie for is a place in the CL knock-outs, because we wouldn’t be anywhere near there if it weren’t for his timely contributions during the group stage. February’s tie in Madrid now represents the single bright spot on the horizon as the team continues to churn out successive execrable performances throughout these dark winter months. Call me deluded, but I’m clinging to the hope the team might possibly replicate what Chelsea and Liverpool have done previously; sniding their way to the final despite being miles off the pace in the Premier League.

I know, I know… deluded as I said.

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Gimme Some Truth

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Typical. Having ended the last column with the doom-laden prediction that Ole might not see out the month of November, right on cue the team lurched out of its 6 month stupor and managed to string together a few wins. Despite decades of practice, I remain an utterly crap football pundit. Thankfully I do recognise this shortcoming in myself so had the good sense to stop gambling on the sport years ago.

Does this sudden improvement change much? Not in the grand scheme of things. 7th in the table is better than 13th and clearly making chances and scoring a few goals is a step in the right direction. Personally speaking, it’s going to take a lot more before I acknowledge this recent run as anything other other than a temporary blip. Since we’re currently stuck with this uneven mix of youngsters, deadwood and permanent crocks… the team could yet finish 5th or 15th this season.

I know I sound like a miserable bleeder but surely it’s better to be realistic in this situation? For all the saturated coverage football enjoys with round-the-clock SSN and the execrable MEN daily blog, perspective has dipped to an all-time low. Rashford smashes in a free kick against Chelsea and 18 months of drilling every effort into Row Z is forgotten in an instant – suddenly he’s on a par with Ronaldo. Fred finally manages a complete handful of passes and he’s the new Makelele. The McSauce and Martial FC cults… I honestly had a better grasp of footballers and their respective talents as a 9 year old than these clowns spouting nonsense on twitter and YouTube fan channels.

You want some real perspective? Let’s try the fact that Spurs have just sacked Pochettino after a miserable run of 25 points from their last 24 league games. Relegation form, that – but it fairness it coincided with a period of upheaval during which they underwent a protracted move into a new stadium. Not to mention they also reached their 1st ever European Cup final in May which might have proven a tad distracting for a club starved of trophies in recent years. Throughout that same time United have collected a grand total of 24 points, also relegation form. So excuse me for not turning cartwheels because we managed to dominate Brighton at home and Rashford did a couple of stepovers whilst playing for England versus Kosovo.

It’s all well and good extolling the virtues of patience and how it served us well in previous generations, but I was around for the 4-5 years in which Fergie struggled to find the right mix and can’t recall anything like the level of mind-numbing tedium we’ve seen a continuation of over the last 12 months. I don’t have any faith in the board, the coaching staff or half of the players we’re invested in. Despite people claiming otherwise, we’re still crap to watch and evidence of genuine progress is hard to see. Just 6 wins from our last 20 league games is pathetic. Faith in youth and the ‘United way’ is great, but they’ve fast-become well-worn tropes that excuse the lack of investment and urgency in addressing continued failings.

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If you look back to where we were at the start of this decade, it’s incredible to consider just how far we’ve sunk. Back then, despite being recently schooled by Barcelona in Rome we were still in an enviable position domestically and in Europe. All it needed was to continue the blueprint Ferguson had created a few years previously. Add 1-2 players a season and accept the fact you need to pay above and beyond the going rate to attract the best available. Instead, we decided to cut corners. Playing Phil Neville, O’Shea and Jones in midfield; Tevez and Ronaldo never replaced; investment in level-par workhorses like Young and Valencia as opposed to seeking-out the best in class. The list of failings could go on – we brought this decline on ourselves from a position of almost total dominance.

It took us 30 years (with the various ups and downs along the way) to reach the summit of European football again. To throw that away in the manner United did, especially with the unfathomable sums of money pouring into the club, wasn’t just careless… it should be seen as criminal. The arrogance of Ferguson telling us how great the Glazers were whilst not signing a central midfielder for 5 years; the arrogance of those owners sucking millions out of the club and allowing the quality of squad to slowly regress and decay; the arrogance of supporters too, endlessly parroting the mind-numbing ‘20 times’ mantra and still banging on about the treble now. The club has sat on its hands whilst City and Liverpool glided past us, fully-focused on writing their next chapters rather than trading on trophies won last century and tolerating mediocrity.

Do you think this would have happened at any other European giant? Would Juventus or Real Madrid or Bayern be content to sit in mid-table experimenting with various permutations of inexperienced kids? Would they bollocks. We’re currently being sold a lie with all this ‘faith in youth’ nonsense that bears little relation to how youngsters have been integrated into the squad in previous generations.

The class of ‘92 are rightly cited as the textbook modern day example of successfully birthing a selection of youth team players as opposed to spending millions. Remember though, that group was married into an already title-winning side alongside the likes of Irwin, Pallister, Bruce, McClair, Keane, Giggs and Cantona… not to mention the signing of Cole who was the most prolific striker in the country at the time. Those players were the established framework which enabled those youngsters to come in and thrive – the foundation of experience and a proven level of consistency was already in place.

How would Beckham, Butt, Scholes and the Nevs have fared with our current group? Shaw, Young, Jones, Lindelof, Lingard, Pereira and Martial doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, does it? I’ll tell you now, Ferguson would never have attempted such a move because he’d have known full well we’d have been left woefully exposed and the latest group of kids would barely have stood a chance. Instead, he’d have been demanding the likes of Kane or Lewandowski be recruited as a matter of urgency. The idea that Williams, Garner, Gomes, Chong and Greenwood might collectively blossom in this current set-up isn’t just wildly optimistic, it’s verging on ridiculous.