Man Utd turning into Arsenal… Fergie into Wenger

Over-reliance on Robin Van Persie is just the start

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  • Staff
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Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson. (AFP)

No speed, no guile, no defence.

An over-reliance on Robin Van Persie.

Most startlingly, a reluctance to replace the biggest holes in your squad thanks to a stubborn belief that the players you have are good enough.

This, after they have proved time and again, they are not.

At least not at the highest level – Champions League.

And after three games this season, not even in the face of mid- to lower-table club competition.

No, that is not Arsenal.

That was last season.

That is Manchester United. This season.

The midfield was so poor that Paul Scholes had to be called in to rescue the points against Southampton.

And make no mistake, it was Scholes and not Van Persie that saved the game.

Even Van Persie acknowledged that after his hat-trick.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s refusal to sign a world-class holding midfielder is going to mean another trophy-less season for United and the curse of Arsenal will strike.

Fergie insisted that Michael Carrick will be good enough.

Against Southampton, apart from two long balls to find Van Persie, Carrick was pitiful.

Given that he is coming back into midfield after rescuing United from a defensive crisis - playing centre-back till Rio Ferdinand returned, Carrick can claim a hangover.

Therein lies the problem that Fergie has not addressed. No cover for Carrick.

Scholes is clearly the man to turn to when the opposing team has run themselves to the ground trying to keep United at bay. He can then turn it on and pick them apart.

But, as against Everton, Scholes does not have the legs to start and finish a game.

City have Yaya Toure. Chelsea, Eden Hazard. Arsenal Santi Cazorla. Newcastle, Hatem Ben Arfa. Even Liverpool have Nurin Sahin.

Who do United have? Carrick and Anderson.

Fergie will pay the price for not buying a top-class midfielder.

And like Arsenal last season, the price will be no trophy and the loss of Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie.

Too harsh? Ask Dimitar Berbatov about harsh.

Harsh is what keeps Old Trafford at the top. And it cuts both ways.

Red Devils, is this hell?

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Comments

  • FootyFan 5 September 2012 10:15 0 0
    With all the talk of United needing a world class midfielder, would there be many midfielders willing to stake their reputation on being labelled the player needed? If you were a midfielder and agreed to sign for United during the transfer window you would have known the press would have named you the missing piece of the puzzle, then would destroy you if you didn't fit in instantly. I am sure United tried to sign midfielders, but you can't force players to join you if they don't want to.
  • Steve Nolan 4 September 2012 16:42 0 0
    Excuse me? City and all their endless fortune still had hassle taking the title home last season because of niggly teams like Sunderland, Stoke and QPR.. Even Wolves were some hassle at some stage. you have some cheek to say that United are anywhere near a full reliance on Robin. Especially after purchases like Kagawa, Powell, Buttner and attempts at getting top names.. Wow..
  • khalid 4 September 2012 16:30 3 1
    arsene wenger wants to show the world that without buying top players can make a good team, the match against 0-2 win over liverpool is the example
  • pawanjit(flubber) 4 September 2012 15:14 0 0
    It is blindingly obvious, man utd have NEVER REPLACED ROY KKEANE, buy a decent midfield enforcer, schweinsteiger?, de rossi? plus many more! even cheick tiote of newcastle or joey barton(knob) would be better than nothing!
  • treavor 4 September 2012 14:22 0 0
    Which world class midfilder snieder ,modric,moura and hazard all refused to sign for MAN U.At least he bought kagawa to try and improve the midfield.
  • murray conteh 4 September 2012 11:56 0 4
    Sir, Fergie I Know you are a good coah why I you not buying a first class midfieder and strengthibf the defence now we are scoring but if you score and not defend your goal isi is nothing sir, try and get good a permanent and strong midfied thank you. I love Man. U

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  Team P W D L GD PTS
1 = Man Utd 38 28 5 5 43 89
2 = Man City 38 23 9 6 32 78
3 = Chelsea 38 22 9 7 36 75
4 = Arsenal 38 21 10 7 35 73
5 = Tottenham 38 21 9 8 20 72
6 = Everton 38 16 15 7 15 63
7 = Liverpool 38 16 13 9 28 61
8 = West Brom 38 14 7 17 -4 49
9 = Swansea 38 11 13 14 -4 46
10 = West Ham 38 12 10 16 -8 46
11 = Norwich 38 10 14 14 -17 44
12 = Fulham 38 11 10 17 -10 43
13 = Stoke 38 9 15 14 -11 42
14 = Southampton 38 9 14 15 -11 41
15 = Aston Villa 38 10 11 17 -22 41
16 = Newcastle 38 11 8 19 -23 41
17 = Sunderland 38 9 12 17 -13 39
18 = Wigan 38 9 9 20 -26 36
19 = Reading 38 6 10 22 -30 28
20 = QPR 38 4 13 21 -30 25

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