Analysis: Arsenal 1 Manchester United 1

Premier League, Sunday 28^th April 2013

Arsenal formed a guard of honour to recognise Manchester United’s new champions status prior to kick-off on Sunday, but were expectedly competitive on the pitch. The Gunners took the lead after two minutes with an offside goal, but Robin van Persie equalised with a penalty. United probably had the better chances to win it, but a poor final ball often let them down. Here’s some analysis:

The finest collection of centre-backs…

Do Manchester United have the finest collection of centre-backs in the Premier League? Almost certainly. Chris Smalling, England’s first choice, is only fifth choice at United. Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic hold the key to experience, if lacking in some pace. Jonny Evans and Phil Jones are the increasingly commanding youths. Three of these five started against Arsenal. Phil Jones played in midfield, and offered some important defensive work in halting the Arsenal midfield advances. Evans and Ferdinand were authoritative and calm at the back, sniffing out numerous chances. Evans form in his last two games has been exceptional considering his time out injured. Ferdinand’s performance reeked of class, best demonstrated by the numerous times he tricked an Arsenal player in order to bring the ball out of defence. A worthy inclusion in PFA team of the year.

Wing concerns continue

United’s wingers did nothing to improve their current form against Arsenal. Nani was given a rare start, and performed ok, but nothing more. There was some occasional misguided decision-making, although the Portugese player did have the air of a constant threat. His likely departure in the summer will be a disappointment. He was not brilliant versus Arsenal, but still the better of the two wide players.

United’s other winger, Antonio Valencia, continued his season-long downward spiral against Arsenal. Some recent good performances (namely versus Aston Villa) have provided hope that he may be back on the upward track. However he was extremely disappointing against Arsenal in terms of his final ball. Perhaps his positioning and movement was good, but his crossing was well off par and gave the United players looking to get onto the end no chance. United’s wingers will require these last few games of the season in order to start reversing perceptions about their poor form.

Going Forward

This draw against Arsenal ended United’s hopes of reaching a record points total this season. There was some understandably complacent play, but overall this was a decent showing from the newly-crowned champions. United now play Chelsea in a pivotal game for the Blues, hence another strong Reds line-up can be expected.

 Ratings

[4-4-2]: De Gea-7, Rafael-6, Ferdinand-7*, Evans-7, Evra-7, Valencia-5, Carrick-7, Jones-6, Nani-6, Rooney-6, Van Persie-6

*Man of the match

(Giggs-6, Anderson-6, Hernandez-6)

Analysis: Manchester United 3 Aston Villa 0

Premier League, Monday 22^nd April 2013

Champions. Manchester United blew away Aston Villa three nil to reclaim the Premier League title on Monday evening. Robin van Persie scored the three goals in a stunning first-half hat-trick that was complemented by several other good performances, before a sedate (in terms of football, rather than atmosphere) second-half. Here’s some analysis on the game:

High line helps United

Aston Villa’s high defensive line appears to have been a suicidal tactic. United started the game with energy and purpose with the intent of claiming the title, and Villa suffered. Van Persie’s movement exposed the Villa high line, and the likes of Shinji Kagawa also thrived with several good through balls. United’s wide players were also given the space and opportunity to run at players, no doubt helped by Villa’s high line.

Young generation

In light of the title triumph, Sir Alex Ferguson highlighted the young crop of players he has at his exposal who will no doubt be the backbone of United for years to come. Danny Welbeck, Chris Smalling and Tom Cleverley are three of those players not to start against Villa, but several others did, showing their potential. Phil Jones was masterful at centre-back, one rash challenge on Benteke aside, he demonstrated calmness and an excellent reading of the game. Jonny Evans was authoritative and helped sniff out numerous Villa opportunities. Shinji Kagawa displayed his appreciation for space, something that will be invaluable if he can affect the game in the final third more. And Rafael and David de Gea, whilst having reasonably quiet games, were solid throughout as they begin to wind down from excellent ‘coming of age’ seasons.

Going Forward

Manchester United’s 20^th league title is a sweet, sweet triumph, and the manner of victory against Aston Villa was a demonstration of the hope and potential for many more years to come. United now have four games before the end of season, with which they can accumulate a record points total.

Ratings

[4-4-1-1]: De Gea-7, Rafael-7, Jones-9, Evans-7, Evra-7, Valencia-7, Carrick-7, Rooney-7, Giggs-7, Kagawa-7, Van Persie-9*

(Welbeck-6)

*Man of the match

Analysis: West Ham United 2 Manchester United 2

Premier League, Wednesday 17^th August 2013

Manchester United drew 2-2 at Upton Park in a hard-fought game on Wednesday evening. Antonio Valencia and Robin van Persie scored the goals as United came from behind twice. Shinji Kagawa also deserves a significant mention for two good assists. Here’s the analysis:

Players didn’t settle in the system

United lined-up in a 4-1-4-1 shape, with Michael Carrick in front of the defence, Wayne Rooney and Phil Jones in front of him, Kagawa and Valencia wide, and Van Persie up top. The two most disappointing players on the pitch were arguably Rooney and Jones, quite possibly as a consequence of the formation. Jones, a defender by nature, looked largely uncomfortable in a forward midfield position, and offered little in attacking terms. Rooney, who one may expect to be more adept in the position than Jones, was equally if not more disappointing.

There were arguably three reasons for Rooney’s poor performance. Firstly, there is no escaping he simply wasn’t at his best. Despite brief glimpses of his quality, Rooney’s touch and movement was sloppy, and he wasn’t performing to his highest level. Secondly, Kagawa trod on Rooney’s toes, metaphorically speaking. The Japanese player has a tendency to cut inside a lot when playing on the left, and therefore often took up the space Rooney may have taken up in midfield, on what is a compact Upton Park pitch. The final reason for Rooney’s poor performance may have been a lack of directive. When playing in midfield this season he has either thrived in a free role with plenty of space (like against Stoke) or with specific instructions in a tighter game (like to combine with Valencia against Chelsea.) Rooney appeared to be lacking in specific instructions against West Ham, and was therefore unsettled on a crowded pitch.

Deep defence

There is certainly reason to suggest United defended too deep at Upton Park, thus inviting pressure. If any two players in the United squad can soak up pressure it’s certainly Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. Both were however duly unsettled at times, and perhaps a more authoritative approach would’ve gained United more control. There is of course justification for a deep defence. Ferdinand and Vidic are certainly not the quickest duo around meaning a high line is risky, whilst the compact nature of the Upton Park pitch means press too high, and your midfielders get squeezed with no room to work.

Michael Carrick was assigned to work in between the lines of United’s central defenders and the rest of the team, which he did relatively well, but the abject performances of Rooney and Jones in front of him meant his work was often fruitless. Had United pressed higher up the pitch then they firstly they may have relieved some of the pressure off their defence, and secondly may have been able to resort to a two man midfield allowing for greater attacking presence and release on Wayne Rooney. Who knows whether it would’ve worked, but there was certainly room for improvement.

Going Forward

United worked hard for a point at Upton Park, and despite an average display, the draw was a decent result considering the fired-up nature of West Ham's performance. Shinji Kagawa showed some of his superb potential and technical quality with two assists, but gave another reminder of some of the wide potency United lose when he comes in field (arguably all too often.) David de Gea had a commanding game, whilst Valencia put in a long overdue good performance. If results go United’s way, they can win the title on Monday evening. The Reds will certainly be looking to return to winning ways at least when Aston Villa come to town.

Ratings

[4-1-4-1]: De Gea-7*, Rafael-6, Ferdinand-5, Vidic-6, Evra-7, Valencia-7, Carrick-7, Jones-5, Rooney-5, Kagawa-7, Van Persie-6

(Giggs-6, Hernandez-7)

*Man of the match

Analysis: Stoke City 0 Manchester United 2

Premier League, Sunday 14^th April 2013

Manchester United moved one step closer to the Premier League title with an assured win at Stoke City on Sunday. Michael Carrick opened the scoring within four minutes, before Robin van Persie ended his goal drought with a second-half penalty. Below are some thoughts from the game:

Jones coming of age

Phil Jones followed up his man of the match performance against Manchester City with another assured display against Stoke City, this time at right-back. Jones made four interceptions, more than any other player on the pitch, and his good play on the ball was best evidenced when he started the move leading to the penalty.

After a thrilling start to his United career, injuries and varying form have slowed his meteoric rise. However the 20 year old has recently been displaying his qualities on an impressively consistent basis, and is showing good assurance for one so young. Good games in all three of his common positions at times this season have highlighted the value of his versatility. His right-back performance against Stoke cannot be underestimated also for the usefulness in terms of bringing competition to keep improving Rafael.

Rooney in midfield

Wayne Rooney lined up alongside Michael Carrick in the centre of midfield and gave a glimpse into what could be a different role for the Englishman. Rooney impressed with his range of passing, something probably aided by the absence of much pressure from Stoke. There were some wayward passes, something that may prove more costly in midfield than up front, and that is something Rooney will need to be wary of should he play deeper more often. The occasional foray forward, bursting from deep into attack, gave an insight into some of the benefits Rooney could bring to midfield, and his energy and dynamism would certainly not go a miss. This was most perfectly typified by Rooney's advanced contribution in the move leading to the penalty. Whether he has the discipline and midfield expertise to play there regularly against better teams than Stoke though remains open to debate.

Going Forward

A good team performance was United was the perfect cure to last week’s defeat at the hands of Manchester City. Rooney in midfield gave some food for thought, but good games from regular performers Carrick, Ferdinand and Vidic should not go unnoticed either. With six games of the season remaining, the Reds next face West Ham United on Wednesday evening.

Ratings

[4-4-2]: De Gea-7, Jones-7, Ferdinand-7, Vidic-7, Evra-7, Valencia-5, Carrick-7*, Rooney-7, Kagawa-6, Hernandez-6, van Persie-7

(Welbeck-6)

*Man of the match

Analysis: Manchester United 1 Manchester City 2

Premier League, Monday 8^th April 2013

Manchester United succumbed to a home defeat against their rivals City in what was billed as a rather irrelevant derby. A Vincent Kompany own goal was sandwiched in between two City strikes as the team in blue were better on the day. Here’s some analysis:

Space for City

United simply afforded too much space for City to play in. In recent games against Chelsea, United have successfully shut off spaces in between the lines, and prevented Chelsea from creating anything threatening. Against City however, United afforded the opposition far too much space in between defence and midfield, allowing players like David Silva and Carlos Tevez to thrive. Had United been more forthright in their pressing and positioning they may have grasped more control on the game, as at the Etihad earlier this season. Only in the second half, when United pushed higher up the pitch, did they have any significant control on the game.

Imbalance

In hindsight, there appeared to be an imbalance to United’s play. Despite being relatively poor in possession, Ashley Young added defensive cover and width for United on the left hand side, which resulted in some fruitless forays for City on that side. Elsewhere on the pitch however United were disjointed. Danny Welbeck was full of running on the right, but his lack of natural winger tendencies meant reduced options for Wayne Rooney in particular when in possession. Ryan Giggs was also overrun in midfield, and his insistent attempts at long balls often gifted possession away too often. A tidier possession game with a more natural shape may have helped United better, something like at the Etihad earlier in the season with Tom Cleverley and Antonio Valencia in place of Giggs and Welbeck. Valencia looked lively when come on, a sign of what may have been.

Going Forward

This was a frustrating performance from United, particularly as it was a second successive home defeat to their Manchester rivals. It was however not the terrible performance that many have made out, merely not good enough for a highly-charged derby game. In the general scheme of things though it should matter little, with United remaining twelve points clear at the top of the table. Good motivation, work-rate and wise use of squad should see the Red Devils over the line within the next few weeks, but too many more disjointed performances like this one, and it could be a nail-biting few weeks.

Ratings

[4-4-1-1]: De Gea-6, Rafael-6, Ferdinand-6, Jones-8*, Evra-6, Welbeck-6, Carrick-7, Giggs-5, Young-5, Rooney-6, van Persie-7

(Valencia-6, Hernandez-6, Kagawa-6)

*Man of the match

Analysis: Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0

FA Cup, Monday 1^st April 2013

Manchester United visited Stamford Bridge for their FA Cup quarter-final replay with high hopes of getting nearer to a domestic double. In all truth however United have not been at their best since their Champions League exit, and limped to a 1-0 defeat in this game. Here’s some brief thoughts from the match:

Thoughts                                                          

The usual analysis section on this regular post is unfortunately not available due to a lack of concentration is watching the game, and the stupidly late release of this post. Some thoughts however point to United’s limp end to a season that was dealt a blow in the Champions League that the Reds haven ‘t recovered from. Tactically, United appear to be resorting to a more conservative approach in games that results in grinding out narrow victories, probably the right idea considering the lack of spark in United’s play recently. Let’s hope they can move on to safely secure the title now!

Going Forward

United now need to respond by moving forward to clinch a 20^th Premier League title. First up is an exciting match with Manchester City, but ultimately the long run is more important in United working towards the title triumph. The performance against Chelsea meanwhile will raise some interesting questions about the future of Nani after a poor performance, whilst Tom Cleverley appears to be waning after a good two thirds of the season.

Ratings

[4-4-1-1]: De Gea-7, Valencia-7, Smalling-6, Ferdinand-6, Evra-6, Nani-3, Jones-6, Carrick-6, Cleverley-5, Welbeck-7*, Hernandez-6

(van Persie-6, Giggs-6, Young-6)

*Man of the match