Red Devils meet their Waterloo

United’s worst home defeat for 56 years has been a colossal convulsion regarding the status quo in English football. While one discerns whether the score-line was more shocking or United’s defending, what is unambiguous is that Manchester United had it coming for a while. United’s win over Chelsea was a red herring – since Chelsea controlled most of the game – and Norwich and Basel could’ve embarrassed them after opening them up patently. By grinding out results, by dint of their opponents’ profligacy in front of goal, United remained in a false sense of security which was exposed mercilessly by Mancini’s well oiled machine.
At the outset on Sunday, the juxtaposition of team selections was a clear heads-up. Sir Alex’s selection was ‘faux pas’ so to speak, while Mancini got everything spot on. Whilst Johnny Evans will undoubtedly be made the scapegoat – following his brain capitulation moment – the blame actually lies with the man who selected him. He is not good enough for Manchester United; definitely not good enough to start the biggest Manchester derby for decades. And, while the Scot has built dynasties via his conviction in his youngsters, Evans is the quintessential example where his faith has gone too far. Also, the sending-off might have exacerbated the scoreline, but as things stood, there was always going to be one winner. Wellbeck, while promising, still doesn’t offer enough to vindicate Hernandez – one of the deadliest goal-poachers in England – being restricted to the bench.
United’s defending has been tumultuous from the word go this season, despite having two of the most promising talents – Smalling and Jones – in their backline; this oxymoronic situation has a two-pronged validation. First is Sir Alex’s chopping and changing, ostensibly in the name of squad-rotation – why Jones didn’t start on Sunday, is a sporting brainteaser for generations to come. Secondly, apart from the English prodigies, the rest of the defense hasn’t turned up – Vidic, literally so, owing to his injury lay-off. Evra’s jaded performances – for over two years now – have been documented in this space before, and he along with Ferdinand come out the most guilt-ridden. Evra and Ferdinand have suffered from a lack of competition for places and injury problems respectively; even so their trade fair on Sunday was an excruciating sight. Not only was their defending shambolic, but it was almost as if they weren’t up for it – for the local derby, presently the biggest game in the English calendar! If they are contented, with their burnished medal connections, maybe they should be left outside the squad for a while, to sort out their thoughts. Another mounting predicament for Sir Alex is that Rooney has petered out off-late, and with him it’s always a mental thing – something his manager needs to quickly rectify.
Why Sir Alex hasn’t invested in his midfield is a question asked clamorously in the footballing quarters. However that question was shelved for a while in the early skirmishes of the season, when a certain Tom Cleverley was an integral cog in the United machine. While Cleverley is no Silva or Modric, his slick passing, direct play and swift creativity ensured that United’s dynamism shrouded their defensive woes. Anderson and Fletcher do have their merits, but for most parts aren’t good enough to counter a top-class midfield lineup. Anderson epitomises inconsistency, and leaves a lot to be desired in positional play, and while Fletcher has ameliorated his repertoire, he still lacks creativity and isn’t robust enough to be an out an out ‘water-carrier’ – historically a position Sir Alex eschews. Michael Carrick – the perennial unsung hero – has been benched off-late in lieu of youthful zing in his side; reconsideration might help United. He was never going to enjoy cult status at Old Trafford, despite being the first choice midfielder in the most successful era of the most decorated club in England. Carrick being earmarked for United’s shortcomings and overlooked during United’s conquests, however, is simply unfathomable. With his disciplined possession play and a wide gamut of passing range, rest assured that United would never have been at shambles against City. United faithful can look back at history – so often their ‘go-to’ impulse – for sanguinity, where they overcame prodigiously skewed score-lines – 4-1 against Spurs, 5-0 against Newcastle and Chelsea, 6-3 against Southampton, 1-4 against Liverpool – but still managed to secure the league title. However Sports is always all about the ‘here and now’; and as things stand City have pronounced a shift in power, in Manchester and in England.