14 years being a Manchester United supporter. I've supported them through thick and thin; right just before they won the treble in 1999 to the rebuilding years of the early 2000's and the continuation of their success in the mid 2000's. It pains me to say this but today's 6-1 defeat to Manchester City at home was probably the worst performance in my 14 years supporting them. Probably it's magnified due to the opponents they were playing. But none the less; weird team selections, individual mistakes and the total lack of motivation saw them torn to pieces.
I've thought I've seen them at their worst in the 2009 UEFA Champion's League final against Barcelona but tonight was just a whole different level all together. No doubt they came up against a very solid Manchester City squad but the mentality was just not there all together. The commentator on ESPN mentioned that City won not because they were brilliant but United were just lost all together at the back.
From a loyal fan's perspective; I can't say I didn't see this coming. There were already signs of it in the past couple of games. The biggest worry was how they struggled to get passed an unknown Romanian side in the Champions League last week. I'm not going to attempt to give an 'expert' advice on how United should have played.
However, the reason's why Vidic was left out of the squad continue to elude me. But the bigger question mark would be why on Earth was Johnny Evans given the starting position next to Ferdinand when they had Chris Smalling or Phil Jones down the pecking order? Johnny Evans in my opinion does not have and will never have what it takes to be a United great. Season after season he makes an utter nuisance of himself committing mistake after mistake. In almost every United line up he starts; he's the team's weakest link. Today's sending off for a stupid needless challenge only highlight's my point.
I can't blame David de Gea for the 6 goals he let in today. No doubt he could have done better but he's only as good as the 4 men in front of him and tonight they were anything but good. Welbeck shouldn't have started the game either. He's got loads of energy in him but in this situation going up against City; would have chosen someone that has a proven scoring record and better constancy. I'd have opted with Hernandez to start instead.
If this was Championship Manager? I would have gone with:
De Gea, Smalling, Vidic, Jones, Evra / Fabio, Nani, Fletcher, Anderson, Young, Rooney, Hernandez.
I would have kept Lindergard, Giggs, Welbeck, Ferdinand, Park on the bench. Anyone else would have just been extra's.
There's gonna be some soul searching in the United squad this week if they're gonna beat Everton at Goodison Park next weekend. I can imagine stuff flying around the United dressing room after the match especially aimed towards Johnny Evan's head!
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