Manchester United’s 3-2 victory at Stamford Bridge-their first in the league on this ground in ten seasons-predictably served up quite a few talking points. Unfortunately though, most of them revolved around Mark Clattenburg, the referee for the aforementioned fixture. Clattenburg’s poor officiating was not the only thing that left the London club aggrieved as they have since then made a formal complaint about the referee using ‘inappropriate language’ towards two Chelsea players.
All the hoopla surrounding the man with the whistle meant that the game itself was somewhat consigned to the backburner. The porosity at the back for both clubs has been documented in this space and was on evidence once again but most notable though from United’s point of view at least was the reversion to familiar tactics in attack.
A major component in United’s success under Sir Alex has been the wingers that have graced the decorated club over the years. Giggs, Beckham and Ronaldo have all dazzled on the flanks during their time and while the trio of Nani, Valencia and Young may not be of the same ilk they are more than capable in their own right and crucially provide width in this day and age where the traditional winger has given way to the attacking midfielder/inverted winger. Given how blessed United are in this department, Sir Alex’s persistence to field his narrow and ‘revolutionary’ diamond seems all the more stranger.
There is absolutely nothing wrong in playing a certain formation as long as you have players who can actually play and excel in that formation. The fact of the matter is that United currently do not possess the players required to play in this set up. The base of the diamond requires something of a ‘destroyer’ ala Javier Mascherano (pre Barcelona days) who can break opposition play and distribute the ball to more technically adept players. As it stands the Red Devils do not have anyone in that mould. Darren Fletcher would be the most obvious choice but health problems have stalled his career meaning Carrick is usually entrusted with the task and for all his qualities the England international is not a ball winner. The obstacles in implementing a diamond formation do not stop here; ideally at least one of the midfielders either side of the destroyer needs to be a box to box midfielder. Scholes’s days of running from one box to another are clearly over and while Cleverly and Anderson present the manager with options, neither has for various reasons impressed consistently.
Another stumbling block is the United defence. A narrow formation requires a lot of effort on the part of the full backs who not only have to do their primary job of protecting their goal but also contribute in an attacking sense in the absence of natural width. While Evra and Rafael can be relied upon to provide an option in the attacking third, they prove to be a liability defensively. Rafael still has time on his side but the same cannot be said of Evra whose performances have dipped alarmingly over the last few seasons and one is quite surprised that Ferguson has not sought an established replacement. Injuries to Vidic, Smalling and Jones have not helped either with the centre of defence looking uncharacteristically weak as well. No surprise then that they are leaking goals left right and centre and with the current plan apparently being ‘we are going to try and outscore the opposition”, it is probably best that they employ formation and tactics that the players are familiar with and that have served them well in the past
It is not the first time Ferguson has tinkered with the formation. Changes have been made in the past in an attempt to make the team a more formidable opposition on the continent. Defeats to Barcelona in the Champions League finals and the recent obsession with possession football may have inspired the Scotsman to abandon his tried and tested formula. Or perhaps it is an attempt to fit his expensive summer signings along with the already available attacking talent upfront. It could possibly be a combination of both but either way things are not quite clicking even though their league position might suggest otherwise.
