Authors: Doron, ManUtd24 and Rob

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With the FA Cup taking centre stage last weekend, the “Things” column was brushed to one side. Now league football is back on the agenda, the column returns for it’s second issue/publication/whatever you want to call it. As per last time, Rob will be sharing a couple of thoughts and we have another guest joining us, ManUtd24 – who’s focussed on Scott Parker. We’ll make no attempt to be neutral and we’ll attempt to link back to United where possible but otherwise enjoy our thoughts and ramblings for the second time.

Ryan Giggs and the 80/20 rule

I really don’t know how to feel about Giggsy this season, and the Chelsea game summed it up perfectly for me. After strolling confidently into the pub wearing my United #11 jersey, I saw him put in a midfield display of such wayward passing and defensive irresponsibility that it made me wonder if Joey Barton had put on a Giggs face-mask and snuck into the team. With Rooney mostly released from defensive responsibilities, Sir Ryan left too much mopping-up for Carrick to do, and our display for the first two-thirds of the game became totally disjointed, lacking the calm authority that we saw in the Arsenal game a few weeks ago. It certainly wasn’t the same Maestro Giggs who swept Chelsea aside 3 times and dominated the knockout stages of the Champions League last season.

As it turns out, he was just making me wait, because after Scholes came on and took over the game, our number 11 produced a great left-sided attacking performance – dribbling and bamboozling defenders, playing with confidence, and of course sending in that perfect cross for Chicharito’s equaliser. It turns out that he’s the ultimate exponent of the 80/20 rule – 80% of his impact comes from 20% of his play. Luckily for us, that 80% impact means he’s now got 8 assists in the league, behind only David Silva and our Tony V. Despite all the frustrations, Giggsy’s still got it.

Parker

There are many reasons to dislike Scott Parker. His effortless hair, for example, that fills us all with envy; the fact that he used to play for Chelsea; or the fact that TV commentators and pundits call him “Scotty” as if he’s their mate. He isn’t. But Parker is a good player. A really good one, in fact. It seems, however, that he’s being pulled down for reasons out of his control – Scott Parker’s biggest flaw is simply being Scott Parker – or being Scotty, England’s saviour, Lionheart emerging blood-stained but victorious in battle or any other hyperbolic/jingoistic mush.

Parker is more than someone who shows great “spirit and determination” – no, he can do things that actually mean something on the pitch. He can pass, tackle, intercept, create, score, tackle, pass, create and pass some more. In Tottenham Hotspur’s most recent game against Liverpool – a 0-0 draw that would normally be dismissed as ‘dour’ if not for an adorable cameo by an oblivious cat – he was named Man of the Match for all the right reasons. He made a few vital clearances, including a flurry of them at the end, and had Liverpool’s midfielders in his metaphorical pocket for most the game. He reads the game so well, does Parker. He’s the perfect foil for Luka Modric, too, and that can only be a good thing. Plus, he even managed to restrain himself from hitting Luis Suarez around the face – which is one of the great modern-day achievements, if you ask me.

Just a shame United didn’t go for him in the summer.

A foolish prediction (that’s going to come true)

Making predictions about the title run-in is always a fool’s game, but I fancy myself a bit of a fool today. As the season’s progressed, it’s become increasingly apparent that City’s (thus far) invincible home form is carrying their season. During these tough winter months, they’ve shown that they can be stopped by teams with enough organisation and energy to shut them down, and the luck to nick a goal from somewhere, such as the right boot of Darron Armando MaraGibson. Despite the fact that Yaya Toure is due to return soon from the African Cup of Nations, their remaining away fixtures look tricky, to say the least: Villa, Swansea, Stoke, Arsenal, Norwich, Wolves, Newcastle. Even if we grant that they beat Villa and Wolves, there’s every possibility that they drop more than 3 points in those other fixtures.

Contrast this with United’s run-in. We’ve got more players coming back every week, and have miraculously gone two full matches without any in-game injuries. After the next 3 very tough fixtures (Liverpool, Norwich, Spurs), we have a run of 8 consecutive games against teams currently in the bottom half of the table. United’s record against teams outside of the top 7 thus far: played 15, won 13, drawn 1, lost 1. The next 3 games are absolutely vital, and if our boys can get 6 or 7 points from a possible 9 there, I’d go so far as to say they’re clear favourites, going into the final stretch. Gary Neville was right when he said that City needs to pull away soon; otherwise United will win the league. What I’m trying to say is this: United will win the league.

But even if we don’t win the league, we better beat Liverpool on Saturday.

Bruce’s winger from Derry

At nearly 23, James McClean is no ‘youngster’ in the same way one would consider Welbeck to be a young player. Yet, coming to England having played nearly half his senior games in the Irish First Division (that’s their second division) and having such a positive impact so soon is impressive.

It’s not that Steve Bruce didn’t fancy McClean, after all it was he who signed him – rather, Bruce had his development down to a tee, stating from the outset that he’d need time in Sunderland’s reserves before probably being ready for the first team around Christmas. Bruce would never be there long enough to get the praise he should have done for bringing in and bringing through McClean but it was he and not Martin O’Neill who saw what was possible.

McClean’s rise to prominence under O’Neill has been impressive though. He’s a good mix of an old-school winger and the more modern direct type. When he goes outside he consistently delivers good whipped crosses; and when he comes inside his power takes him past players and he’s a goal threat. You almost have to wonder how much of the ‘MON’ effect at the club has been down to him and natural, quality width. If his form continues through to the end of the season, his days at Sunderland may be numbered.

The league’s best centre back?

It’s a question rather than a statement but Joleon Lescott should, in my opinion, be considered as one of the stand-out centre backs in the season so far.

Often over-looked because of the performances of Kompany, Lescott’s been a bit of an unsung hero for Man City. He turns 30 this summer so should be reaching the peak of his career and there are signs that this is indeed the case. In possession he’s become calmer and a good user of the ball, happy to run with it or play a well-spotted pass. When defending he’s certainly become less erratic and prone to error – there’s no coincidence that he’s become better off the ball as he’s learnt how best to use his physique.

Recent displays at international level as well as club level have been of a high quality and if it wasn’t for the fact that no one’s quite sure who his best partner for England would be, he’d probably have played himself close to first choice. Capello recognised his improvement and it’ll be interesting to see if his replacement does too. With the likes of Smalling and Jones breaking into the scene, it’ll probably be Lescott’s last chance to be first choice at a major tournament.

A thought or two

That was some goal by Cisse for Newcastle. He’d actually looked pretty poor having come off the bench and really slow but there was a glimpse at some of the quality he has as he found the top corner with his left footed strike.

Craig Bellamy may be the signing of the season. Amazing work-rate matched with regular quality in his passing and final ball, Bellamy’s been the man to make Liverpool tick so often. Not that it would have ever happened, but I think he’d have probably done a fairly decent job for United on a free – Glazernomics and all that.

Has football finally been hit by the recession after such a quiet January transfer window? Or, are there just not that many players available at sensible prices? Or are clubs finally realising it’s not worth spending over the odds on players? Or are most clubs happy with where they are in terms of squads? Is the latest trend to pay relatively big on Championship players? Food for thought.

Author: Doron

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Despite being just 20 years old, Federico Macheda is being written off as a potential United footballer in many quarters. His loan move to QPR is widely considered to be a good move for him but has he played his last game in a United shirt?

In many ways, that goal has almost been a curse on Macheda. Andy Gray in commentary said, “a star is born” – in truth, his star has never shone quite as expected since then.

In his first season with the club he struck a good partnership with Danny Welbeck for the U18s. Danny’s a year older than Kiko who aged 16 scored 12 goals in 21 games, ending 2007/08 as the Academy’s top scorer. He even got a chance in the Reserves that year and managed to score two goals in his four appearances.

His second year at the club would become famous for goals in the first team against Villa and Sunderland but they came off the back of yet more impressive returns – 8 goals in 15 Academy games; he quickly outgrew the Academy and as a second year scholar, aged 17 he was fully fledged in the Reserves, making 19 appearances and scoring 11 goals. He ended the season as the Reserve’s top scorer; his tally included a hat-trick against Newcastle at St James’ Park. For his 21 goals across the various levels, he won the club’s young player of the year award.

His third season at the club kick-started not so much a spiral of decline but a slow down of his progression. Up until this point Kiko had excelled not because he was quick or strong (there were plenty of quicker and stronger players) but because he was a lethal instinctive striker. It may come as a surprise to many but his touch back then was superb and certainly not half as donkey-like as it is now! As with many young footballers though, Kiko started to get niggles related to his growth and 2009/10 was very stop-start; he never really had any rhythm or consistency – he only made 8 Reserve appearances but still scored four times.

The league cup and ‘easier’ Champions League games were a good chance for Kiko to get games but he rarely stood out. He was often played up front on his own – something that has never really suited him because he’s not the fastest nor the strongest. Macheda’s also odd in that instead of standing out in a weaker side, he just fades; his best performances tend to come when he’s surrounded by better players. This was seen when he got his fitness back towards the end of the 2009/10 season when cameo appearances off the bench were often game-changing. One in particular that stands out was the 3-1 win over Spurs – his link-up play was excellent and he assisted the final goal in the game. In general his ability on the ball is somewhat underrated; he’s a much cleverer player than he often lets on. Unfortunately rustiness has seen him lose that sharpness he most definitely once had.

It’s amazing to think that when Kiko shone on the 2010 summer tour to America he was still only 18. The biggest problem he faces is that expectations are sky high because of what he did against Villa. Once again he got minutes in the team in the first half of the 2010/11 season but they continued to come in weakened or rotated XIs where he’d have minimal service and then rush the one chance that would come his way.

There was something of an arrogance or swagger about Macheda. Maybe he felt he’d already ‘made it’ or believed he was better than he was – either way he needed regular minutes, ideally in the Premier League. They came in the form of a doomed loan spell to Sampdoria. He got regular playing time but often from the bench and only scored one goal in 16 appearances. His problem was that the coach who’d signed him was sacked soon after he joined and the new coach didn’t fancy playing him much. With his playing time diminishing and his confidence low, he returned to United at the end of the season having regressed if anything. The football in Italy didn’t suit him, it was so much slower than in England and he joined a team playing badly and in decline.

Once again, this summer he did well on tour, impressing with the minutes he got and scoring goals. His biggest issue was however the fact he’d now become at best, 5th choice after Welbeck’s amazing progress at Sunderland. That full year loan at a PL side is exactly what Macheda needed this season but despite links to WBA it didn’t happen. Instead he’s had to make do with minutes in the Reserves and fleeting first team appearances, often out on the left hand side – great for the development of someone like Welbeck who does have that versatility, but Macheda’s very much a striker and will never be a winger so playing him there is pointless.

His form this year has been poor – his injuries in 2009/10 can’t be overlooked and last year was awful for him, the chain of events have massively hindered his progress. He needs a fresh start to re-kick-start his career and this loan to QPR could well be it.

In the grand scheme of football he’s still so young but at United he has players ahead of him and those behind him are pushing hard now too. First team football in England is invaluable and at QPR he’ll have plenty of chances created for him but they’re a hard-working team too, it’ll teach him to get stuck in and do his bit. Once again though, it’s so infuriating it’s not a full season loan. Five months is ok but he’ll need time to settle and get used to how QPR play, yet the fans will all expect instant results from him.

Looking ahead, he’s contracted until 2014 and Fergie has lots of faith in him. Next season he’ll turn 21 and with a bit of luck he’ll get a full year loan. Not all players develop early, for some it can take a while to mature – Cleverley is the perfect example, he was 21 when he went on loan to Wigan. There’s no reason why Macheda can’t get his confidence back and with that, some form. He’s still a talent, you don’t lose that natural ability that he once so regularly showed (of course, plenty do well in the Reserves and don’t make it but he was clearly a cut above).

His loan move is expected to be announced on Monday and will no doubt cue plenty to write him off and say we’ll never see him in a United shirt again; I’d recommend that conclusion isn’t reached so hastily.

As a self-confessed lover of numbers and stats, I thought I’d share a few now we’ve reached the halfway point of the league season. I offer no commentary on what each stat shows, draw your own conclusions!

Most minutes played (total):
1. Evra (1654)
2. Nani (1566)
3. Rooney (1479)

Most minutes started:
1. Evra (1654)
2. Nani (1500)
3. Rooney (1426)

Most minutes played as a sub:
1. Giggs (167)
2. Valencia (155)
3. Hernandez (148)

Most minutes per goal conceded:
1. Vidic (275)
2. Giggs (199)
3. Evans (177)

Fewest minutes per goal conceded:
1. Young (71)
2. Welbeck (76)
3. Fletcher (77)

Most clean sheets:
1. Hernandez/Rooney/Nani (11)
2. Jones/Evra (10)
3. Giggs/Welbeck (9)

Highest percentage of appearances where a clean sheet is kept:
1. Giggs (75%)
2. Carrick/Valencia (73%)
3. Park (70%)

Lowest percentage of appearances where a clean sheet is kept:
1. Anderson (33%)
2. De Gea (36%)
3. Young (46%)

Most yellow cards:
1. Young/Evans/Ferdinand/Evra (3)
2. Welbeck/Anderson (2)
3. Jones/Smalling/Valencia/Nani/Giggs/Fabio/Carrick/Fletcher (1)

Most goals scored:
1. Rooney (13)
2. Berbatov/Hernandez/Nani (6)
3. Welbeck (4)

Fewest minutes per goal scored when on the pitch:
1. Evans (29)
2. Smalling (31)
3. Anderson (32.5)

Most minutes per goal scored when on the pitch:
1. Vidic (92)
2. Fletcher (69)
3. Ferdinand (51)

Fewest minutes per goal scored:
1. Rooney (114)
2. Hernandez (149)
3. Welbeck (228)

Most assists:
1. Nani/Valencia (7)
2. Young (6)
3. Giggs (5)

Fewest minutes per assist:
1. Valencia (117)
2. Giggs (119)
3. Young (154)

Fewest minutes per contribution (goals and assists):
1. Rooney (92)
2. Giggs (100)
3. Valencia (103)

Most shots:
1. Rooney (78)
2. Nani (49)
3. Welbeck (29)

Highest percentage of shots on target:
1. Anderson (60% – 6 shots)
2. Vidic (50% – 2 shots)/Park (50% – 6 shots)
3. Hernandez (46% – 12 shots)

Most passes attempted:
1. Evra (881)
2. Nani (875)
3. Rooney (859)

Highest percentage of successful passes:
1. Evans (90.21%)
2. Carrick (90.19%)
3. Fletcher (89.52%)

Lowest percentage of successful passes:
1. De Gea (60.2%)
2. Nani (70.17%)
3. Young (73.01%)

Highest number of passes attempted per game:
1. Fletcher (60)
2. Anderson (57)
3. Carrick (52)

Lowest number of passes attempted per game:
1. Hernandez (16)
2. Welbeck (23)
3. De Gea/Evans (36)

Most tackles attempted:
1. Evra (132)
2. Nani (107)
3. Jones (97)

Highest percentage of tackles won:
1. De Gea (100% – 2 tackles won)
2. Ferdinand (79.3% – 23 tackles won)
3. Vidic (77.4% – 23 tackles won)

Lowest percentage of tackles won:
1. Fletcher (42.1% – 8 tackles won)
2. Young (47.5% – 19 tackles won)
3. Hernandez (50% – 10 tackles won)

Most frequent tackler:
1. Evra (every 12.5 minutes)
2. Jones (every 13.5 minutes)
3. Valencia (every 13.7 minutes)

Most interceptions:
1. Jones (35)
2. Carrick (34)
3. Ferdinand (31)

Most frequent interceptor:
1. Carrick (every 25.9 minutes)
2. Ferdinand (every 33.1 minutes)
3. Jones (every 37.3 minutes)

Most clearances:
1. Evans (108)
2. Ferdinand (102)
3. Evra (92)

Most frequent clearer:
1. Vidic (every 7.1 minutes)
2. Evans (every 9.8 minutes)
3. Ferdinand (every 10.1 minutes)

Most blocks:
1. Evans (17)
2. Jones (9)
3. Ferdinand (8)

Most regular blocker:
1. Evans (every 62.5 minutes)
2. Ferdinand (every 128.4 minutes)
3. Anderson (every 143.2 minutes)

All stats are self-compiled using the BBC and Guardian. Minutes include injury time at the end of the first and second half and are rounded to the nearest minute. Stats relate to league games only. Only players who’ve played at least 30% of the total minutes (547.8 minutes) are included, this therefore excludes: Lindegaard (481), Rafael (88), Fabio (234), Fryers (73), Cleverley (357), Gibson (94), Berbatov (377), Owen (87), Macheda (55) and William Keane (9).

Author: Doron

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Jonny Evans was subbed off at half time against Wigan, he was on a yellow card so precaution was my natural instinct; however news of a calf injury filtered through soon after the final whistle. With Vidic out for the season; Fabio injured; Rio suffering from a few niggles; Rafael not match fit; and Smalling/Jones ill; there’s a possibility some of the Reserves may have to be called up to play. United are already stretched with Carrick and Valencia having to play at the back, but like we did when Fletcher’s situation was announced, here’s an introduction to the defenders in the Reserves should they be needed.

Marnick Vermijl – he joined towards the end of the 2009/10 season from Standard Liege after a trial; aged 18 he was brought to cover gaps in the Reserve squad in the fullback areas. Quotes in Belgium said that United had been very impressed with him. Since joining he’s been a firm fixture in the Reserve side playing all across the back four and across the midfield. His versatility is clearly a big asset and he made the bench against Aldershot having been given squad number 36. For me, he was the unsung hero in the Reserve squad last year – he’s quick, surprisingly strong and very able on the ball. He turns 20 early in the new year and I imagine he the club will be looking to get him out on loan to a Championship side.

Alberto Massacci – signed from Empoli in the summer of 2009, his time has been riddled with injuries. He’s a right back in a classic Gary Neville style. When fit he looks a classy act, very attacking, calm in possession and convincing in defence. He’s fit again at the moment and looks to have done some good gym work over the past few months. A period of sustained fitness could see him make the right back spot his own in the Reserves.

Michael Keane – twin brother of striker William, Michael’s a right back who’s recently moved centrally due to a growth spurt. He made his first team debut at Aldershot wearing number 38 and has had an outstanding season so far. He was perceived to be the weak-link in the FA Youth Cup winning side last year but every aspect of his game has improved heaps this season. The club’s staff rate him very highly and he’s an ever present for the Reserves at the moment keeping specialist centre backs out of the side. Michael’s suddenly become one who could seriously have a very good career in the future.

Reece Brown – the younger brother of Wes Brown, he’s recently turned 20 and been capped by England at U20 level. He can play at centre back, right back and as a shielding midfielder. He’s currently injured but due back training soon. He spent a short spell on loan at Bradford last season and Doncaster this season, doing ok at both clubs. A tad clumsy, Reece has been overtaken at the back by younger, better defenders and was forced into midfield where he excelled as a very calm, ball-playing deep midfielder. Reece has a surprisingly special ability to smash a free kick in as well!

Michele Fornasier – he joined from Fiorentina at the same time as Massacci. He’s a centre back from the Vidic-school of defending – he’ll attack any ball and throw his body in front of anything. He was a key player in the FA Youth Cup success last year but has had a few niggling injuries this season. Due to depth in defence he’s even played in central midfield for the Reserves this year. He’s been capped at U19 level by Italy and is highly thought of in his home country.

Tom Thorpe – the captain of the FA Youth Cup winning side. Tom’s struggled with injuries this season and now fit, he can’t get regular games because other players are doing so well. He is a classy defender though, one of the best readers of a game in his age group and has been capped at various levels by England. He’s a bit short but strong, brave and really good on the ball. He’s managed to get some game-time in front of the back four but his best position is centre back. He and Fornasier complement each other very well. He has squad number 39 and despite not playing much, was on the bench for the trip to Leeds this season. He’s my favourite of the young defenders and I think one to keep an eye on.

Ezekiel Fryers – he’s shot to prominence this season making six first team appearances out of nowhere. Zeki missed most of last year through injury and has often been picked out as a future star by players and staff but few expected this kind of progress so soon. He’s naturally a left back but can play in the centre. He’s strong, quick and growing in confidence – one reason he’s been blooded ahead of others is down to his physique. I’m not sure that he’s ready to really challenge Evra yet but Zeki’s done well in his appearances so far. He’s top of the pecking order out of the Reserve defenders and proof that hard work can pay off.

Sean McGinty – a tall, rangy left back who can play centrally too. Sean was a bit-part player in last year’s FA Youth Cup team, profiting from Zeki’s injury and Tyler Blackett’s suspension. McGinty had been registered for the Champions League this season, given number 45, although he’s yet to make the bench for the first team. Sean’s aggressive and capable of putting in good crosses. He’s solid in most areas but potentially lacks a stand-out attribute. With Fryers promoted to the first team, McGinty has been a regular in the Reserves this season and done well.

Luke Giverin – I think many probably expected Luke to be released last summer but he was surprising kept on having only been part-time. He can play in either fullback position and got plenty of minutes in pre-season but since the competitive games have started he’s rarely played. I can’t see Luke being at United next season but he’s improved quite a bit in the past year and has shown he’s particularly good at taking set pieces.

Finally… United have Ritchie de Laet on loan at Norwich and Scott Wootton on loan at Peterborough. Both have had recent injuries but are doing well at their clubs. Wootton in particular is impressing and receiving rave reviews. Below the Reserves, Tyler Blackett has played for the Reserves this year and was outstanding for much of last season at left back in the FA Youth Cup run. Luke McCullough has battled back from injuries and the U18 captain has been that side’s star man this year at the heart of the defence. Most of the other U18 defenders are first years. With a bit of luck, Jones, Smalling and Ferdinand will all return for Blackburn, but should they not, Zeki may be in line for his first league start with one of the others mentioned on the bench.

Author: Doron

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Despite what the title says, the motives behind this post are three-fold: 1. to wax lyrical about Nani and our wide play; 2. to provoke some thoughts about our central midfield; 3. to make a bold claim about Nani being the league’s best winger.

Whether it was the Basel result and performance or form in general or injuries or just squad rotation; the recall of Antonio Valencia and the decision to play Nani on the left wing has been been a blinder. Before addressing Nani, a mention has to go to Valencia who seems to be back in the form of 2009/10. He’s five assists in the last three Premier League games and after a slow start to the season is finally coming good.

Yes, the cynics will point out that it’s only three games against teams that United should beat comfortably every time; but Nani has been outstanding in all of them.

More often than not I describe Nani as being greedy; an opinion that the stats back as only Rooney has had more efforts on goal this season than him. However, Wolves, QPR and Fulham paint a very different, mature picture:

Chalkboard 1: Nani shots against Wolves and Fulham

It’s incredible really that for a player who shoots so often, he didn’t register a single effort on goal against QPR in what was his most unselfish performance yet for United. So, coinciding with his reversion to the left hand side, in the last three games Nani has had only five shots and has scored three of them. That said, with the injuries suffered mid-game at Fulham he did have to move back to the right when Valencia went to right back.

The word maturity was attached to Nani last year; not so much because of how he played, but because he scored goals and assisted even more. Arguably he’s just starting to show the true signs of maturity. They lie in his decision making and the effort he puts in for the team.

For a direct winger like Nani, the hardest thing is knowing when to shoot, when to cross and when to try and dribble. Nani’s as close to perfecting that balance as he has been in any of his time at United so far. If it wasn’t for bad finishing, good saves and good blocks, he’d have more than just two assist from the last three games. How he ended the QPR game without either a goal or assist is baffling.

All round, he’s a danger. He can pick the ball up deep like he did against Fulham when he set up Welbeck’s goal, or he can play a quick one-two in the penalty area like he did against QPR. It’s this variety to his play that shows just how intelligent he’s becoming as a footballer. The days of Nani just picking up the ball and shooting or trying to beat every man in his way are long gone. He knows he can beat opposition players with skills but he’s picking his moments wisely – he’s happy now to play the ball back in field rather than try and run down the line with it and ultimately isolate himself.

His form, and Valencia’s, stems from two important things that have happened to United since the Basel defeat. The first was highlighted quite thoroughly after the Wolves game – the movement of the strikers and the forward players in general has been much better. Welbeck’s return has freed up Rooney who can now play higher up the pitch and start to link play in more dangerous areas. Welbeck himself is a willing worker who can drop deep and hold a high line. The second thing is the central midfield area and in particular, Michael Carrick.

You see, United’s history has always been build on strong wingplay; that’s where our creativity has often come from and it’s where some of our most influential attacking players have played. It’s been the focal point for much of our play and inspiration. Poor wingplay tends to mean poor United. The cries for investment in a playmaker – an attacking influencer – in the middle were for me a bit wide of the mark. Why focus on playing through the middle when our best assets are out wide? Old fashioned wingers are such an advantage today because they’re a rarity – they’re unpredictable, often unplayable, and are direct. United, along with Spurs are the only top sides in the country with these kind of players, providing challenges from opponents that are different from the norm.

The reliability of United’s central midfield in recent games has been a stark improvement from the form pre-Basel, unsurprisingly coinciding with Carrick’s return. He and his partner (Jones or Giggs) have not only protected our back four but have also been tidy and accurate with their passing; importantly getting it out wide early to give our wingers the best chance of creating goal scoring opportunities. It’s a bonus that they’ve shown ability on top of that in the final third with goals and shots too.

A year ago I wrote about why I’d rather we signed a ballsy, hard-man type central midfielder than a playmaker. The centre of the pitch is one of the most crowded areas so more often than not, playing through the middle isn’t the best option. It’s out wide that our players can make a real difference. I still stand by that (although the exception may be Modric) – United were at their best with Keane and Ince in the middle for me. Two players, hard as nails and both capable of making a difference in the final third. That side though had Giggs on one wing and Kanchelskis on the other – two players who tore up opposition defences because the hard work was done in the middle, creating space for them and getting the ball out early and accurately.

It’s been this combination of a solid midfield and great movement up front (which makes such a difference) that has allowed Valencia and Nani in particular to flourish. I think Nani’s the best winger in the league (Bale’s not far behind, he’s been outstanding this year) and the stats back it up – he’s United second top scorer (8 goals) and leading assister (9 assists).

United have stumbled upon the perfect circumstances for him to excel in, regardless of what wing he plays on. Add to that a new found real maturity, highlighted specifically at QPR when he was choosing to find a pass rather than shoot; and you have the league’s best and most dangerous winger. For this reason we must play to our strengths, our wingers. A central midfielder is needed but I’d rather a destroyer than a ball-player; keep the focus of our attacks and our play out wide and utilise one of our best assets, the league’s best winger, Nani.

Author: Doron

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Dropped by his club. Dropped by his country. Partially written off by the press. Even the fans starting to hope younger players replace him in the starting XI. Yet, Rio’s response has been to quietly (unless you’re signed up to Twitter and happen to follow him) get on with it and take his chance when recalled to the team. So much so that his current form is not far off some of the best football he’s played for the club. In the past 6/7 weeks I think Rio’s been the best defender in the country.

At the start of October, two weeks before City handed out a 6-1 thrashing, Rio was being linked with a move to the MLS for the summer of 2012. A month later and with Rio taking a lot of the blame for the City result, he’s dropped to the bench for a trip to Everton and Fergie picks some choice words in his pre-match press conference for the Otelul Galati game to warn Rio:

“What I explained to Rio the other day is simply this: That we have two young centre-halves coming through and I’m have very happy to have four of them, and I hope to keep the four of them for a long time.

Rio is almost 33 now and obviously he has lost a yard of pace he had five years ago. That doesn’t mean to say he can’t tailor his game in a different way.

We’ve all faced that deciding moment in your career when you realise you have to change your game. I did it myself as a player when I lost that real sharpness and tailored my game differently. Rio will do the same and he’ll be fine. He will still play a big part for us.”

These quotes prompted “Rio no longer first choice” stories to pop up all over the place. Fergie though appeared to be able to look into the future – “He will still play a big part for us”.

He was recalled for the Galati game but it was at home to Sunderland at the start of November that he was paired with Vidic for the first time in the league since the opening game of the season. The pair played four games together in a row – keeping three clean sheets and only conceding once (at home to Newcastle from a penalty that never was).

Vidic naturally likes to attack the ball in the air and on the ground, allowing Rio to sweep everything else up. It’s no surprise really that Vidic seems to bring the best out of Ferdinand and indeed his form drastically has picked up. With Vidic out for the rest of the season, just how Rio would perform without him will be key for United; even more so that in the first two games without Nemanja, Rio’s been paired with the much maligned Evans – one of them would have to play the role of a leader.

Fortunately, Rio seems to have relished being the senior central figure at the back. Quite uncharacteristically for him, he’s been the one going to win headers and being something of a physical presence. Even today against QPR he got booked for dissent, not good to see, but that verbal presence is something Nemanja’s so crucial for.

Chalkboard 1: Rio’s clearances against Wolves and QPR

Shown above are Rio’s clearances in the last two games – 20 against Wolves and 14 against QPR, more than any other United player in either game and a clear step up in Vida’s absence. In fact, quite surprisingly, Rio’s made more clearances than any other United player this season. As a result of Rio becoming the ‘attacker’, it’s allowed Jonny Evans to settle in and not have to worry about being the defender to attack the ball. Jonny’s been able to play his own game – a nice mix of Rio’s and Vidic’s and as a result, he’s been flawless in the past two games, particularly against QPR when he and Rio were described by Fergie as “immense”.

So in Vidic’s absence, Rio’s stood out and stepped up. However, his natural game, the things he’s become famous for also appear to be returning – quality in possession and ability to read the game. Fergie was right, Rio has lost some of his pace and he’ll never get that back, but aged 33 and with over 600 first team appearances made, that’s not surprising.

There’s only one other player in the squad who makes more interceptions per game than Rio, Michael Carrick. United have been blessed with players who just naturally understand the game so well and Rio’s amongst them. Often he’ll coax an opposition player into making an error or, rather than go to ground, he’ll knick the ball at the perfect moment in one clean move.

Chalkboard 2: Rio’s passing and interceptions vs. Newcastle

I’ve picked out the Newcastle game for the chalkboard above – aside from Rio’s 5 interceptions it shows just how good and expansive his passing can be. Few centre backs have the ability to regular spot a correct ball forward and execute it like Rio can. Recently he’s even embarked on a few throwback runs forward with the ball.

Rio was for me the most complete defender about 4-5 years ago and possibly unrivalled in world football. Injuries and age have seen him decline but unlike many predicted, he doesn’t appear finished yet, in fact he doesn’t seem even remotely close. I think it says a lot about his character and drive that his response to being dropped was not to complain, nor become disheartened. Instead, he appears to have treated it as a challenge and it’s one he’s winning. It’s been a classy response from a classy player.

It’s possible that his being overlooked for England has allowed him to focus on United. For me, Rio should retire from international football; not because he’s not good enough (he definitely is) but because England appear keen to move onto a new generation. Having the captaincy taken off him and given back to Terry was the ultimate kick-in-the-balls – amusingly Terry’s in some of the worst form of his career; Capello surely has to drop Terry now. No doubt Rio will want to be at Euro 2012 but hopefully that won’t become too much of a distraction for him.

The future may well be Jones, Smalling and Evans but Rio’s there to stay and even if this does turn out to be his final season at United, at least he looks like following in Edwin’s footsteps and going out playing some of the best football of his career.

With a bit of luck I’ve not jinxed him! I doubt Rio will be able to play every game, he’ll need resting at certain times but maybe the Europa League will allow that to happen. For now though, he appears fit and is easing through games. He’s probably the best centre back I’ve seen and maybe United’s best ever. As long as he keeps performing at his current level he can promote his app and magazine on Twitter as much as he likes because he’s doing all the talking that matters on the pitch!

Author: Doron

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I like to think that it’s not often that this blog moans or grumbles but two stories circling in the media today are worthy of a rare controlled outburst! The topics are the UEFA Champions League and Paul Scholes…

Champions League reinstatement

The BBC’s homepage has the headline: “Man Utd given European lifeline”. The story has been published across most media outlets and can be read here.

In short, United may get an opportunity to play in the Champions League knock-out stages after all. FC Sion fielded ineligible players in the Europa League earlier this season and were thrown out the competition. If the Swiss FA take no action by the 13th January then Swiss football may be punished with their clubs thrown out of European competitions. This would see Basel removed from the Champions League and it’s been suggested that United could come back in to face Bayern Munich.

Sounds like a horrible idea to me. For starters, I think if Basel are thrown out then Bayern should just be given a bye to the quarter finals rather than United brought back in – what does that mean for Ajax and that clearly shows one competition favoured over another by UEFA.

More importantly, it would be incredibly embarrassing for United. We weren’t good enough in the group stages and were fairly knocked out of the competition. We don’t deserve to be there. Many fans have already booked flights and hotels for Amsterdam too; many would I imagine be non-refundable. Hopefully Basel will be allowed to play, they came second in our group and shouldn’t be punished as a result of another team’s errors. One can only hope that United would turn down a return to the CL if it was offered to them.

Paul Scholes return

This story can be found in various tabloids, here’s The Sun’s version.

To summarise, papers are claiming that United players want and are urging Paul Scholes to come out of retirement and play for United again in the second half of the season. This story comes at a convenient time – United are short of central midfielders; Scholes coaches at the club; United are looking for ‘value’ again; and Fergie was asked about it yesterday.

Fergie’s response to being asked about whether Scholes was considering coming out of retirement was to laugh the story off. No doubt the current United players have a joke around with him but I somehow doubt there is something of a ‘Scholes to return campaign’ within the club as suggested by the press.

Let’s not forget, Scholes retired as he wanted to play every week at the top level and he felt he could no longer do so – 7 months later I somehow doubt that’s changed. Few would be surprised if he’s still got all the technical ability he had, if he can still ping accurate balls 50 yards; but Scholes not only required a 4-5-1 last year but also found some games just passing him by.

He’s not the answer to our midfield problems at all. Whilst the idea is nice it’s wrong. Scholes and the club have moved on and have to continue to do so, there’s no point taking a step backwards. The club should be looking to buy someone and should have bought someone a while ago – a Scholes return would smack of total desperation.

I’d rather see a youngster given a chance, and if we have to go 18 months without winning the league, so be it. We have a new generation of young midfielders, many of whom have the quality to potentially play regularly for the club but we have to have some patience. Going out to Basel in the Champions League just reiterated that the club are ready to turn a new chapter and move on, not go back.

It’s not to say than an older player isn’t an option. Henrik Larsson’s loan in 2007 was an inspired move by Fergie, he provided added experience and rejuvenated the dressing room. As a short term thing, it worked and something similar could work again; but it needs to be a player currently playing.

Scholes will always be remembered as one of the greatest midfielders the club had – he won’t want to tarnish his legacy and as fans we should hope the club take steps forwards not one back.

Both stories in their own way are embarrassing. United even being considered for CL reinstatement is horrific – we got knocked out fair and square. The story’s not of our own doing but would be embarrassing for the club if it were to happen. The Scholes story is embarrassing in that it sums up what our midfield has become; through injuries and through lack of quality. He’s not the answer.

Author: Doron

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Paul Pogba’s been linked with a move away from the club recently with Inter, Man City and Arsenal all being named as admirers. It’s thought his contract ends this summer and his agent is keen for him to get a large pay rise. However, new quotes from Sir Alex Ferguson suggest this isn’t the case, yet.

Paul Pogba’s tricky contract situation seems a little clear tonight. Fergie has confirmed that the club have the option to extend his current deal by one year, taking him through to June 2013. This would mean that if it is invoked then foreign clubs wouldn’t be able to offer Pogba a contract this January and English clubs wouldn’t be able to speak to him in June.

Fergie has confirmed that ideally the club want to tie him down to a new deal altogether however admits that his agent is proving tricky to work with.

There’s little doubt that Pogba enjoys being at the club and along with the other FA Youth Cup winners last year, he’s part of a very talented generation. He’s already played three first team games at a younger age (18 years, 9 months) than Gibson, Fletcher, Scholes, Butt or Beckham did. His talent is unquestionable but he’ll have to remain patient too. His physique is coming along nicely as is his technical and attacking ability; it’s his defensive side that maybe lets him down at the moment as well as moments of casualness.

Time is on his side but with the current midfield crisis he may well get a chance soon and could be in the squad to face QPR this weekend.

Quotes from Fergie today:

“You don’t need to chase money at a club like Manchester United, it will eventually find you. He’s got an agent who’s obviously become a bit difficult but we’re negotiating with this agent and we want the boy to stay. But it’s down to the individual also. Matt Busby summed it up perfectly, that you don’t need to chase money at a club like Manchester United, it will eventually find you.

If you’re good enough, you will earn money and become rich playing for us, there’s no doubt about it. You hope he gets the right advice. All the young players who remain here always do well. It’s one of these situations that they can chase the money early in their career but at the end it’s not the same as if they’d stayed here. It’s the decision the player has to take himself, no matter who he is, about where they think their best future will be. He just needs to look round about him to realise that. But if he wants to go, there is nothing we can do about it.

We have an option on Paul’s contract that takes us into a year-and-a-half away so in that respect there’s not a great emergency about it. But we’d like the boy to sign a contract and if he’d like to be a Manchester United player then he knows what to do.

There will be chances here. We’ve got players capable of wearing the red jersey and, and they’ll wear it with complete confidence they can do well. I think it’s how you handle the situation. We’re not panicking. We’ve got enough experience in the staff to cope with these things. We know it happens and there’s no point crying about it. You just get on with it, there’s nothing else you can do. You’ve got injuries, deal with it.

You’re always tempted to buy if you feel the right player comes along, you have to be. But they’re not there, so what do you do? It is one of these situations that unless a player we have been interested in for a while appears and we can get him, then there is not much point brining in an individual in just because it gives you another number.

Pogba is a possibility because he is a big strong lad, he’s a good athlete, he is improving, he is developing well. In terms of the FA Youth Cup winning team of last season, he, physically, is better than the rest of that group, maybe apart from Zeki Fryers who is a very good athlete.”

This story and all the quotes come from The Mirror and manutd.com.

Author: Doron

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In light of the news that Darren Fletcher will be out for an unknown period of time to hopefully recover from his illness; I thought it was worth a look at the players who may have to be used from the Reserves, whether they are ready or not. The reality is that Carrick and Gibson are now the only fit central midfielders and despite Rooney, Giggs, Park and Jones all having covered there (and Valencia who Fergie has hinted can play there) the reality is we’re scarily short of in that area. Clearly, a signing (signings) is (are) needed but given the reluctance of our owners to make money available (note a low net spend in the past five years – imperative you read Daniel Taylor’s superb piece on this), it’s feasible we’ll have to find answers, even if just to make up numbers on the bench, from within.

Paul Pogba – the much hyped controversial 18 year old Frenchman has already made his first team debut in the Carling Cup. In fact, he’s got to three first team appearances at a younger age than any of Fletcher, Beckham, Gibson, Scholes or Butt managed to. Still, his contract expires in June and tabloid rumours (fuelled by his agent) suggest he’s holding out for a big money contract or he’ll leave.

Nevertheless, Pogba’s a talented kid. Compared to Vieira, he’s only similar to the legendary Gooner in ethnicity, nationality and position – their styles are pretty different. Pogba’s a ball-mover, a tempo-setter and someone capable of the extravagant. Having been a key cog in the FA Youth Cup success last year his development appears to have slowed a little with lots of focus going on his weak defensive part of his game. He’s been played out of position in the Reserves a lot and Warren Joyce can regularly be heard shouting helpful pointers about where he should be on the pitch. Fergie rightly has faith in Pogba and said in September, “we have to give him the opportunity to see how he can do in the first-team and he’s got great ability”. He’s not really ready for regular action yet but squad involvement and minutes off the bench here and there in games that are all but won can be of no harm to him.

Ravel Morrison – the most naturally gifted of the lot. Not really a central midfielder as such but a player who can play centrally behind a striker and likes to be given license to roam. Like Pogba, his contract situation seems to be a tad complicated at the moment but recently he continues to be singled out for praise from staff at the club.

Morrison may well be the most ready of the current youngsters. His game this season has seen added maturity, a welcome surprise given his off-field activities of 12 months ago. Unlike Rooney as a youngster, he seems more and more capable of tunnelling any frustrations on the pitch into how he plays – not long ago, Ravel would have kicked out at an opponent yet now he appears to be in control of himself – something he’s reportedly also now doing off the pitch too.

Having been in the first team squad for both a Champions League game and a couple of Premier League games recently, I’d suggest he’s edging closer and closer to making his league debut – something I fully endorse. Physically he needs to fill out and his stamina needs improving but it’s hard to argue against this kid being almost ready. With injuries in the middle and up the top, and with the side crying out for a spark, he’s exactly the sort of player who could lift those around him.

Larnell Cole – the one that Scholes loves. That should really be enough of an endorsement for anyone. After Morrison, I’d say that Larnell’s the best technical player outside the first team. His height would seemingly go against him and given the strength of the CMs in his age-group, at one point it would appear tough to work out how he’d progress. However, using his pace to his advantage, he carved out a spot on the right wing and hasn’t looked back since.

Larnell still operates best in the middle, it makes the most of his superb passing range and vision but his versatility will be an asset. A quiet, shy lad, it was a great moment to see him make his debut at Leeds in the Carling Cup this year. He is possibly the dark-horse of the young players at the moment and someone very much in the Scholes/Xavi/Iniesta bracket both in terms of physique and playing style. One of the other writers on the blog, Herzog’s Child, has written extensively about Cole before.

Davide Petrucci – when signed from back in the summer of 2008 he was dubbed ‘the next Totti’. It wouldn’t be over-exaggerating to suggest that the early signs were incredibly good. Davide is capable of playing high and more recently deep, almost as a quarterback. What followed for Davide was horrendous back luck though. A series of growth-related injuries saw him out of action for over a year and only in early 2011 did he return again, very much wrapped in cotton wool.

A good pre-season has seen him play regularly since September and he’s slowly started to creak back into impressive form. His ability to dictate the tempo of a game and see passes that few his age can is special; but what he lacks is the physique, consistency and arguably yard of pace that he once had – all knock-on effects of missing so much football that should come back over time. At 20 years old many might wonder what his future holds but United will be patient with him and having recently been given a squad number, his chance may come in a game before the season is up.

Jesse Lingard – like Larnell, Jesse is part of the ‘short brigade’. However, also like Larnell, he’s a clever footballer. He’s found games hard to come by on a regular basis in the U18s and wasn’t first choice in the FA Youth Cup run. However, this season since returning from injury he’s had games across the midfield for the Reserves and has shone. Technically he’s very good and he appears to have gotten quicker.

Considering his size, he has good core body strength and beautiful balance. Jesse was on the bench recently for the Crystal Palace game and had it panned out differently, he may well have gotten minutes – his form is consistently good now. One thing Jesse’s always had is the ability to score – regardless of whether he’s playing high up or in the middle, he’s always direct and keen to get shots away; something those above him in the first team have been criticised for not doing enough.

Matty James – Matty is worthy of inclusion because he’s still contracted to the club. He, like Davide has been ruined by injuries. A spell on loan at Preston two seasons ago highlighted all the promise he had. For those who’ve not seen him; he’s like Carrick of 2007 and has a special eye for a long-range goal. It’s sad that Matty is seemingly again injured after a brief comeback towards the end of last season. I fear his career will never take off and certainly it’ll never follow the path it really should have done.

Danny Drinkwater – there are three central midfielders out on loan, all of whom are scheduled to return to United at the beginning of January hence their inclusions. Danny had an excellent loan at Huddersfield two years ago but last year’s loans were less fruitful. He’s made an excellent impression at Barnsley this season and has been dubbed for a bright future by many. Long-term that may not be at United but he’s certainly more ready than some of the younger players if he’s needed to step in, simply because of his experience he’s had in the football league playing competitively.

Ryan Tunnicliffe – Ryan’s the first outfield member of the FA Youth cup winning squad to go out on loan. Despite not starting every game for Peterborough, they’re desperate to extend his loan. To be playing and making a positive impact in the Championship as a central midfielder aged just 18 is incredibly impressive. Ryan’s in the mould of an early Roy Keane – no nonsense box-to-box capable of scoring goals. His technique and passing is arguably his Achilles heel but he’s improving all the time. I’ve a lot of faith in Ryan and whilst he may not be ready for United’s first team yet, I think one day he will be and certainly someone of his style is something we could do with now.

Oliver Norwood – Oli Norwood is on loan at Scunthorpe with young goalkeeper Sam Johnstone (who I wrote about last week). As a young player, Norwood was compared with Beckham because of the similarity in free kick technique and general style which which he struck a ball even in open play. Norwood though is a central midfielder, a playmaker – he’s stood out across the age levels but for me isn’t a top talent. I think his future will lie elsewhere but he’s not a bad player by any means; certainly, like Danny Drinkwater, his experience at club and international level may be crucial if the squad needs filling out.

Finally… there are of course options in the U18s too but they are really too young for consideration. United have a plethora of talent waiting in Reserve to be called upon should they be needed. There is no rush though, time is on their side and their chances will come at the right moments. For those that don’t make it, Magnus Eikrem proves that they can still go on to great things – he’s just been a key player for Molde in their title success. The news regarding Fletcher and the injuries to Anderson and Cleverley (even though he should be back soonish) to just exacerbate how much the club need to dip into the transfer market. The pessimistic side of me doubts whether that’ll happen though so young Messrs Cole, Pogba, Morrison and the should prepare to be ready if called upon.

Author: Herzog’s Child

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Part 1 of this Q & A preceded Wednesday’s catastrophe. As a result, an obligation was emplaced to ponder on it briefly but not too much. The innards of our exit have been well knifed apart by now, but to ignore it would be a disservice. These are testing times for United. In amongst the enamouring sights of our young troops delivering, a despondency lingers that won’t go away. Why? The reasons vary. The immediate concerns are clear: a lack of quality, coupled with an injury list that wouldn’t look out of place in a war-zone, has already cast doubts over what May will deliver. There’s the debt, too, of course: something far more sinister, yet oddly more ignored by the majority. That was covered in Part 1 *here*. What follows below is a little more light-hearted, but something most, if not all, football supporters can in some way relate to. United’s confirmation that Vidic will miss the rest of the season came at a time when the answers for all of the questions below had been garnered. Suffice to say, there is little point in contemplating it even further – his absence, despite the qualities of those who’ll fit in, has come at the worst time. So, enjoy the views of those below – it is their work, and theirs alone, that has made this session what it is. For their insight, intelligence and time I sincerely thank them. More shall follow soon.

6. Since part 1 went out, wicked things have occurred – we are now out of Europe’s grandest competition and, just to beat us when we’re down, we’ve been flung into its lesser brother, the Europa League. Whilst the headaches of that reality can be pondered on another time, one thing that I was taken aback by in the wake of our exit was how many people seemed genuinely surprised. Up to the Basel match, we had already shambled through the previous 5 group games; the ever lingering lack of quality had played its crucial part, of course, but the harbinger of all woe appeared to be a continuous complacency throughout the campaign. Goals were leaked far too easily and leads were wasted. What, to you, was the defining factor? And, to contemplate the matter briefly, how would you like to see United approach the EL?

@SportyMuslimah: A lot has been written and a lot has been said regarding United’s current midfield issues, however I do not believe that this was the reasoning behind not qualifying from the group stages. Whilst I agree with many that in the latter stages of the CL our squad wouldn’t have been good enough, evidently it is good enough to come second, if not top, of the group. We can’t lament the lack of goals, as we scored enough goals to win games, but conceded far too often. The home games against Basel and Benfica are stand outs for me. I was content with drawing away in Portugal, and the six points we picked up against Otelul Galati. After leading 2-0 at home v Basel, to become so casual and lacklustre in possession wasn’t to do with a lack of a creative midfielder – it was down to naivety and becoming too boisterous in our play where we believed they couldn’t score two, let alone three, leaving us with Young to spare our blushes. The chance Berbatov had at the end of the game would’ve been a travesty in some ways if it went in as it would’ve papered over the cracks. The game at home v Benfica was similar – although this time our own celebrations were cut short after Benfica scored within 60 seconds. This, more down to individual errors and not making crucial challenges when possible to win the ball back was again nothing to do with a creative midfielder. If we had won both of these games, then we wouldn’t be discussing this. Being knocked out was our own doing, we had the opportunities away at Basel to rectify it, but didn’t. Twenty two goal scoring opportunities, speaks volumes on the poor finishing and excellent goal keeping than it does a midfielder. In addition, injuries did us no favours; however it seems the nickname once reserved for Ranieri – ‘Tinkerman’ – can possibly be applied here. The lack of a consistent team, often where SAF’s hand was forced into a decision, others where changes were made, left an unsettled side from week to week. United’s mantra of attacking was at odds with SAF playing it safe in Europe, which in recent seasons has served him well. However, in the group stages using a ‘cagey’ formation isn’t necessarily the best, because as we’ve seen in other groups too, the results elsewhere do play a part in your fate. City continue to impress in the Premiership, even in the CL v Bayern they completed their job impressively, Spurs and Arsenal have become a renaissance side winning regularly with panache and vigour. Whilst I’d like to believe we will be Champions at the end of the season, the injuries are taking their toll, and unless we purchase in January we could fall behind the pecking order. This sounds all too doom and gloomy, a lot depends on how Spurs, Arsenal and City handle the pressure; something SAF revels in, but we need to take the EL seriously. I see many believe this is a good place for fringe players and the reserves to play – I don’t see that. Winning a trophy this year is crucial; we need to keep the momentum. Much like in 2005, we went through a rebuilding phase and came back by initially winning the Carling Cup, which we can’t now do; we must focus attention towards the Europa.The league and FA Cup are still very plausible, we aren’t out of it at all, and every competition is worth winning. Whilst I wouldn’t lament the likes of Morrison, Fletcher and the despondent Berbatov getting games, starting the Europa League in the manner we did the Carling Cup, and not take the opposition seriously, as we didn’t in the CL qualifying stages, would see us out of the 32 quickly too. A perfect competition for Lindegaard to play regularly, as he deserves to. At many other clubs he’d be a first choice keeper. Providing fitness, I would then consider:

Lindegaard, Rafael, Smalling, Jones, Evra, Valencia, Cleverley, Fletcher, Young, Welbeck and Berbatov.

Subs: Amos, Rio, Fryers, Morrison, Nani, Petrucci and Rooney.

Playing a side with a dominant centre pairing, both of whom can also attack where required, leaving an able Fletcher to play the central defensive role, along with Young and Valencia on the wings, is the way to go. Playing a cagey game will invariably become difficult, as other sides in the Europa will play full strength sides, as for many of them; this is their main chance of success. Given our second leg of the round of 32 is at home, where we have scored enough goals, we can then give the youngsters the opportunity. Heaping further pressure on them to succeed, when we are rebuilding ourselves could well have a detrimental effect. I know it’s unlikely we will see many of the first team players, but they too need to know that they aren’t ‘above’ a competition, and regardless of competition, they need to give there all for United. Many fans will be disillusioned with the Europa and recent performances; this could be an opportunity to show glimpses of the future whilst keeping the core of our first team involved.

@mierta23: There has been a lot of tinkering with the squad this Champions League campaign, and although that surely hasn’t helped us, we’ve fielded experienced teams in every game that should have been capable of getting the results needed. No disrespect to Basle, Benfica and Otelul Galati, but this is a group we should have been able to qualify from and as Evra says, that we failed to do so is quite frankly nothing but embarrassing. I think the reason behind this failure is complacency. “We are Manchester United. No matter how dreadful our performance is, we’ll end up scoring anyway. That’s the way it is” seems to be what some of the players are thinking. Yes, through the years we’ve managed to score a great number of goals in the last minutes, but those goals don’t just come to you. You have to work hard for them, and that part seems to have been forgotten this season. There have been games when we’ve needed a goal, and the urgency just hasn’t been there, and there have been games when the pressure has been there but we haven’t managed to score. Against Basle, Rooney missed a couple of chances he would undoubtedly have scored a couple of month ago. If Wayne scored one of those chances, we wouldn’t have to play on Thursdays this season. The real problem though, was the chances we missed in the home games vs Basle and Benfica. To lose a 2-0 lead at home instead of killing the game off with a third goal is something you just can’t do if you’re planning on qualifying from the Champions League group stages, no matter who the other teams in your group are. What upsets me the most however is that us having to play in the Europa League for the rest of the season doesn’t really surprise me. The whole campaign has been a disaster in terms of attitude, and in hindsight we didn’t deserve to qualify. Even if it might have felt like it, the world didn’t end last Wednesday. We’ve still got the Europa League, although it might not be what we had hoped for and expected. Let’s face it, the only way we were going to win the Champions League was if Real Madrid, Bayern and Barcelona eliminated each other, but now we’ve got a good chance of winning the Europa League. Do I want us to win? Naturally. I want that Manchester United winning mentality in my team and you can’t just turn that on and off depending on in if you’re facing Metalist or AC Milan, you have to want to win every single game. That said, the league is much more important, which means we can’t field our strongest XI in the EL. To me it’s a perfect opportunity to give some of the youngsters a chance, particularly after the defeat to Crystal Palace and the FA cup draw vs City. It will be a bigger stage than they have previously played on and there will be pressure, but pressure will always be there if you play for Manchester United. Why not give the ones who are mature and brave enough a chance to get used to it?

@Karatejesus82: The result against Basel was terribly disappointing but the abrupt Champions League exit was rooted in the drawn games against Basel and Benfica at Old Trafford. Despite these draws, I’d personally expected us to get through as we have done in previous years despite relatively stumbling through the group. I’m loathe to criticise Ferguson for tinkering with the team in the group as our record of doing this in previous years has suggested we could do this and get away with it. Unfortunately, this was the season we didn’t get away with it. The most disappointing result has to be the home game against Basel when we threw away a two goal lead. Whether this would still have happened had Nemanja Vidic been fit, I’m not sure (and his now confirmed long-term injury is the dungy cherry on the shitty cake of, well, shit). This isn’t the only instance of a player, or players, missing games that played a relatively large part of the plummet into Europa land. Vidic was suspended, harshly, for that Benfica game at Old Trafford, and Michael Carrick, again suspended after a harsh yellow card against Benfica, missed the Basle game when, at the current time, he is by far our most in-form player. Along with the issues outlined above, there have been two problems of a contrasting nature and occurring at different times that have hindered our season so far. Firstly, during the first two months of the season, we were good on the attack but slack in defence. It was during this period that we, fatefully, drew 3-3 with Basel. Secondly, in more recent months, we were increasingly stable defensively, with the exception of the 2-2 against Benfica. Following the 1-6 against City, the only goal that United have conceded in five Premier League games was the non-penalty against Newcastle. However, during the same run of matches, United have scored only five goals. At times, such as in the away games, United have scored first half goals and then, rather effectively, shut up shop. Against Newcastle, we should have scored four or five and this highlighted the concern that, despite the level of control United were showing in these games, the results of all these games were still in doubt and punishable by one moment of genius or one small mistake. The lack of goals is strange and difficult for me to understand at the moment. One of the problems is that, with the exception of the Newcastle game, we have failed to create many clear cut chances, or forced the goalkeeper to make a save, despite our overall dominance. This can sometimes happen, most notably with the Arsenal team of the last five years, when teams maintain possession very well but slow play down too greatly or don’t get the ball into dangerous areas. Neither of these are the case for United at the moment. One pleasing aspect against Basle was that, throughout, I felt we played with an urgency that is usually lacking in the matches that we’ve struggled in previously during the last few years. We moved the ball well and, through Nani, utilised our most dangerous player on the night effectively, but in truth their goalkeeper had few shots to stop. My thoughts, at this raw stage, tend to be that we have a very good squad filled with very good players and this is not a situation where, in the vast majority of cases, players have let themselves down with their performances. All of the players who are regularly used have a place in our squad when you look at it on an individual basis. The problem, I think, is that not all of our players can have a place in our squad when looked at a collective basis. As I’ve stated, they are all very good players. However, what our squad seems to lack at the moment is a couple of exceptional players who can raise the sum of our parts to greater than it currently is. From our midfield and attacking players, only Rooney and Nani would be classified as exceptional for me and if one of those fails to spark, as can often be the case, it leaves us thin on invention. As a result, despite generally having performed consistently to a high standard whilst being at the club, I’d be sweating if I was any of the other, established, regular midfielders or attackers that we have (or if I was called Patrice Evra for that matter; the one player this season whose performances have been truly under-par and that would deserve to lose his place should he do so). The likes of Valencia, Park, Anderson, Berbatov, Fletcher, Carrick… basically, everybody should be playing for places in the squad for next season. By letting a couple of good, decent players leave, United could then try and bring in players who could offer the prospect of reaching a higher level of performance. Whether this will be done, and if it was done, how it could be done, would be a whole different question.

With regard to the Europa League – I hope we play the youngsters with players from the first team needing games, but only those who have a reasonable chance of being here next season. If that happens and we go on a good run then great, if we go out straight away then it’s no great loss. If I was asked whether we could win the Europa League or the F.A. Cup this season then it’s a no-brainer. It might be cold, dark and minging in Manchester but knocking City out of the cup will be burning a fire in Ferguson at the moment and it’s about time we won a Double again.

@DoronSalomon: Looking back on our European adventure so far this season there’s little doubt we got what we deserved but I think the surprise is that we actually did balls it up in the end. So often we’re used to seeing the side scrape through or force a result despite playing atrociously. Yet, for the first time in what feels like ages, we totally bottled it.

It’s not often I agree with Rio but he’s right when he said our home form was the key. A draw in Benfica was a perfectly ok start and we won in Romania. However it wasn’t just that we failed to beat Benfica and Basel at home – it was the manner of how we dropped points. Individuals will always make errors but the attitude of the collective was piss-poor. We were, as we have been for a fair amount of the season, way too cocky and arrogant. On the pitch we played with little urgency until having to come from behind against Basel and we played without the defensive solidity that one would usually associate with European-United. Off the pitch I’m not sure Fergie had the right tone either – ending a press conference early because a reporter dared to suggest we were struggling was pathetic, especially because that reporter was proven right. There’s the potential it’s a blessing in disguise, allowing us to focus on the league now and also it means that our problems now are in the open and have to be addressed. I rambled away a bit more on the blog when I wrote some semi-rational post-match thoughts.

Call me spoilt but I’m struggling to really care about the Europa League. Three things would excite me: new opposition; meeting Man City at some point; and if the kids were given a chance. I think we can’t afford to treat it like the Champions League, certainly not in these early knockout rounds. It’s more important that the first choice side is kept fresh for the league now. Let players who need minutes and some of the kids get some competitive game-time. Just imagine giving Ravel an hour in one of the games and letting him just ‘do his thing’ because it’s a no-pressure game. Ultimately, if we get further in the competition we might as well win it; if we don’t win anything else at least we keep the silverware coming and it’s something for Jones, Smalling, Cleverley, Welbeck and others to feel proud of. That feeling of winning something is so crucial to United player’s development and I guess this has the potential to become important for that reason later in the season.

@Twisted_Blood: Wicked things happen for mundane reasons, and one of the things that United fans have tended to forget over the recent fat years is that qualifying from the Champions League group stage is a difficult thing to do. That’s not to say we shouldn’t have — in terms of talent, United were clearly good enough to get out of that group — but to highlight that if the team isn’t functioning, for whatever reason, then the margins of error are very tight. And you can argue that United underperformed in every single game, which is never going to be enough. The defining factor was just that: dysfunctionality. The bits of the team don’t fit together like they used to, in defence, attack, or that blasted heath we have in the middle. In part that’s an inevitable consequence of this “transitional” season; in part it’s a harsh review of the squad; and either way the loss of form from a couple of senior players hasn’t helped. I don’t think there was any complacency from the players — there certainly was from plenty of fans and journalists — but I think that this team yet doesn’t function in either defence, attack, or moving from one to the other. The same is true in the league, as anybody that’s suffered through our recent run of “good” form will tell you, but as above, in Europe the margins for error are less. As for the Europa League, I want to see us win it, and I want to see us win it like United are supposed to: proper, old-school, two-legged multi-goal European adventure. And I’ll be calling it the UEFA Cup, whatever they say.

7. Right, enough of the doom…and onto the madness. Twitter, in its weird little way, appears to have momentarily revolutionised a portion of the football community. A plethora of blogs have sprouted up since its inception, and gaggles of reds have come together to compact discussions and arguments into 140 characters. The beauty of choosing who one follows ensures a user can block out the more unsavoury characters infiltrating it, but fruit-loops and mouthy oddities can still be flung into your timeline via retweets. How has the elevation of twitter affected your passion for the game? For me, the good outweighs the bad, but sometimes its tendency to overload on every aspect of the game, and its repetitious nature, can make me want to zone out of it completely. For example, the on-running and inane mentions of #GGMU #MUFCFAMILY and other such deplorable tags often have me reaching for the ‘delete account’ option. It can be hypocritical to bemoan something one is in complete control of, I concede, but how do you view it?

@DoronSalomon: I’ve had Twitter for a few years now. I originally set-up an account because my friends did, we used it in lectures to take the piss out of each other when we were bored. However with various news agencies setting up feeds and sporting journalists signing up, I quickly started to use it for real-time news. I started to then ramble on about all things United and football. To be honest, I’m grateful to Twitter because it was only through that medium that Andy (Mr Stretford-End) asked me if I fancied penning my thoughts from time to time and hence I started to blog. I like the fact that through Twitter more United fans seem to have taken an interest in what goes on beyond the first team – fans from around the world now know about Jack Rudge or Marnick Vermijl! I do enjoy discussing things on there and have found it a great place for networking and meeting like-minded people. Whether it’s the rest of the guys behind this blog or people like Tony (@mrmujac), Ian (@manutdreserves), Paul (@thisistheone99), Craig (@craignorwood) and Nick (@manunitedyouth), it’s nice to be able to have made some new good mates; who in most cases I’m lucky enough to spend time with in real life too! However Twitter has an evil dark side. It’s a great way to wibble away from a self-invented persona and goes to people’s heads. The idea that I can follow someone then decide I don’t want to see their tweets anymore so I unfollow them can apparently be seriously offensive to some; so offensive that they then have to natter away about it. It’s a ridiculous place sometimes, I’m just lucky I have a life away from that place! The hordes of people asking me to follow them because they’re also a “Man United die-hard, MUFC Family verified, GGMU” like-minded fan is just beyond stupid. It’s the nature of the game though in today’s society that this kind of things happens. Every club has its equivalents. I don’t mind them because I don’t follow anyone like that but it does make me cringe. Certainly a glance at the Manchester United Facebook page should tell you everything you need to know. On the whole I’m all for Twitter, and damn right I should be… I work in social media after-all!

@Karatejesus82: The good definitely outweighs the bad for me, partly because I tend to operate a three (or in reality, several) strikes and you’re out rule that means I unfollow people who annoy me too many times. Once the football journalists and players are taken out of the equation, I probably only follow about 170-180 people and I’d say half of these I generally skim read. This still leaves a fair number whose views I find interesting and help restore my faith that not every football fan is an idiot. One of the best aspects is the insight provided by fans from other clubs and my independent, unofficial survey, probably shows Arsenal as having the highest number of good people (albeit with about four or five). Quality over quantity is my motto. The worst aspect is, without doubt, the intolerably boring and self-infatuated few who think they have inside knowledge, when they don’t, or think their profile picture counts as verification that their views are actually interesting when, in reality, they are about as well thought out as those rattling around the morgue that is Robbie Savage’s head.

@SportyMuslimah: ‘Unfollow is a person’s best friend on Twitter.’ – this is something I will always stand by. There is nothing wrong with having differing views, however, people seem to lose basic etiquette and manners when communicating online, this grates me.

I am not sure whether Twitter has had any effect on my love for the game, I don’t believe it has diminished it; however I’ve certainly learnt a lot more than I knew before. The range of blogs is particularly intriguing. For many people like myself, there is no immediate person to discuss a game with, Twitter in this regard is great as you get to share views, consider possibilities and argue over a refereeing decision. None of that will change the outcome and make SAF buy a particular player, but it’ll make me feel better!

People show their support for their team in different ways, many feel those who don’t ‘follow back’ are seen as obnoxious and patronising, or perceive themselves to be ‘better’ than the individual. Far from it, we all have different needs and reasons to be using Twitter and should be given the choice to use it without abuse for the choices we make.

I’ve also spoken to some amazing people that I wouldn’t have had a chance to otherwise. Twitter for me is more about life than just the football. Discussing world matters are as much a necessity of my staple diet as football.

@Twisted_Blood: For my part, I like Twitter a lot, but it is an odd space. In terms of my passion for the game I don’t think it’s changed anything, but it’s certainly put me in touch with a lot of people who think about the game differently, or think about different parts of the game. I perhaps have it a little easier than some United fans and writers because I don’t write about United very often and I don’t do so from the point of view of a fan. As such, my Twitter presence is (outside of matches, anyway) relatively neutral and I’m probably not as deep into the #MUFCFAMILY as I might be. As an illustration, it took me a few seconds to actually work out what #GGMU stands for.

@mierta23: For glory-hunting, plastic, not-from-Manchester fans like me, Twitter is probably the best thing that has ever happened. It was nigh on impossible to find streams for the reserves before, and when the first team wasn’t on TV in Sweden I had to rely on Match Tracker on manutd.com for coverage of the games, which was not a very pleasant situation to be in. Twitter makes it so much easier for me to be a fan and get in touch with other fans, but there are days when I consider deleting my account, because the sheer stupidity of some fans never fails to amaze me when it comes to certain players – Carrick, Gibson and Evans being the prime examples. Depending on whose timeline you’re looking at you get the impression that they’re either far superior to Yaya/Messi/Vidic or that they’d be better of playing non-league football because they’re obviously shite. Fans on Twitter doesn’t seem to like being reasonable, and there are times when this makes me consider going back to the days of Match Tracker and not being able to find streams, just to get away from it. “Shut up, you don’t know a thing, you’re a girl” is something I keep being told as well, although usually in more abusive language, and when people say stuff like that it makes me a bit disappointed. I don’t care at all about their opinions, but that some people still thinks that all knowledge about football is located in the penis makes me despair at humanity. Tell you what, that’s not the case.

8. On the subject of Twitter, Tom Cleverley has just become the most recent of United’s battalion to try and impress us all. He joins the mass-marketing Rio, the painfully dull Nani, the succinct Michael Owen, the ludicrously enamouring Lindegaard, the childish yet likeable Rooney, the next Hemingway in Ravel Morrison, as well as Valencia, Jones, and a wide number of United’s younger troops. Who, for you, appears to be the most genuine and fun? And how many of them are actually worth following? Rio #oooffed me out recently, and was unfollowed. Do footballer’s accounts offer a genuine insight into the lives of players, or are they – as the cliché goes – generally uninteresting and tedious?

@Twisted_Blood: I unfollowed Rio when he said he was “confused.com”, which I’m fairly sure is a war crime. Generally, though, there is probably some insight to be gained — I certainly think it’s made Rooney more likeable to non-United fans, and it’s made Lindegaard something of a cult hero. But I would be distraught if anybody assumed that my Twitter feed comprised or revealed my entire character, so I suppose I have to carry the same principle across. We get to see some; we don’t get to see most. As an aside, I suspect Michael Owen’s account is in fact an elaborate satirical investigation into just how boring a human being can be. Those caption competitions. The horror.

@KarateJesus82: I think I follow most United players on Twitter but I don’t particularly have high expectations and, as a result, don’t seem to share the disappointment that some have when it transpires X, Y or Z are actually pretty thick and/or boring. I follow them because I’m a United fan and it’s a good opportunity to hear straight from the horse’s mouth, so to speak. I actually think Ferdinand uses Twitter in the manner that a professional football should – he avoids controversy, in the main, and has utilised an outlet successfully that, due to the infancy of the medium, could create big problems for the club. As long as you ignore the drivel of OOOOF then there’s the occasional interesting thing that you’d otherwise not get to see. Of the United players on there who are worth following for general insight then the only one I can think of would be @Jay_In_Essex’s idol, Michael Owen. This is primarily for the fact that he will interact with football journalists and reading those interchanges, when it’s on the player’s terms and under no set rules, is more interesting than reading a pre-arranged interview in a newspaper. However, even Michael Owen converses with Piers Morgan, and while it appears they don’t like one another, the fact he can be arsed following, let alone talking to, such a horrible little shit makes me wonder if he’s as clued up as his tweets suggest. Basically, Twitter is a fertile ground made up of a high percentage of idiots and a small minority of interesting fans of varying clubs who have created a 21st century football playground to talk to one another in. The players’ presence is like having Panini Stickers that occasionally say something which, although usually dull, still makes you look before you turn back to the proper people. One last point about United players on Twitter: Ravel Morrison, or as he should be known, The Ticking Time Bomb – surely the club can delete his account and just tell him Twitter has closed down. Better safe than sorry.

@mierta23: We all already know that pretty much the only thing footballers do is play FIFA and hang out at Nandos, except for maybe Michael Owen who feeds his horses and Rio who takes his kids to school. In that sense there’s no insight at all. There is interaction however, and that’s what I think is so brilliant about Twitter, it makes the players a bit more human and brings them much closer to the fans, which I think is only positive. I’m fairly sure that all United fans agrees with me when I say that Anders Lindegaard is the most entertaining United player on Twitter. He has a brilliant sense of humour and it’s impossible not to love him based on his tweets. Another favourite of mine is Ravel Morrison, a brilliant follow, even though he’d probably be better off without a Twitter account. All the youth/reserve players would in my opinion be better off without Twitter to be honest. Hearing from fans that “I look forward to seeing you in the first team, future legend! #GGMU” when you’re seventeen or eighteen can easily get to your head, just as hearing how shit you are after a shaky first performance in the first team can affect you negatively. I often hear footballers and celebrities saying that they always look for the comments saying they’re useless and ignore the positive ones, and while criticism is all good, it quickly gets to a point where it only brings you down. Some players can handle it, others can’t, and the slating of some players is frightening.

@DoronSalomon: The most fun is probably Lindegaard – he just seems to be a happy guy who likes a laugh; comes across relatively normal on there. I have a soft spot for some of the younger lads too – I like Zeki Fryers and Sam Johnstone. I follow them all for some reason, including some of our schoolboys. Not really sure why I do but I guess it’s in the hope that they say something interesting. I know most of what Rio says is cringey, especially since he got his App (he has an app in case you didn’t know!) but I kind of admire his brand-building. He’s sorted himself out for when he retires now and I’m sure he’ll be successful in marketing his ‘5’ brand. Few footballers come across as interesting as they know that most of what they tweet will be analysed, written about and then analysed some more. It’s a shame, that. It’s what makes Joey Barton so interesting (although I don’t follow him) as he just tweets what’s on his mind.

@SportyMuslimah: I made a conscious decision to not follow any celebrities or footballers, it is something I have never done. They are often retweeted on my timeline anyway, but I watch football for the football. I support Manchester United, I want these players to perform well because they play for my team, not because of who they are.

I struggle to understand why they have so many followers, as apart from Anders, there is very little they say that’s of interest. They refuse to discuss anything ‘controversial’ or meaningful. I couldn’t care less what food they ate, clothes they wore or song they played as they picked their child from school. They seem to want to prove they are ‘normal’, which is fine, but not on Twitter. If they want to tweet about a visit Nandos, that’s fine as long as their performances are on the pitch.

I feel the most for Ravel, his every single tweet is analysed to death. I’ve seen ‘journalists’ attack and write articles about on his tweets based on their perception of what they mean. How pompous is that!? How unnecessary! Seriously, go watch paint dry or something.

9. A new-fangled hobby of many is to churn out illimitable statistics detailing the mathematics behind every player in every match without exception. Pass completion stats are regularly rolled out as seemingly productive retorts to those bemoaning a player’s inadequacies. However, as one can clearly deduce, numbers have a tendency to skew reality. A 92% completion rate is fine, but it’s only a valuable number if it is coupled with production – which it is often not. Michael Carrick, for me, encapsulates how pseudo-statisticians can often be fundamentally flawed in their actions. Carrick isn’t anywhere near as bad as his eternal detractors suggest; however, he is also, despite regularly turning in a good completion rate, not as good as those who come rushing in wielding stats suggest. Are we in danger of over-intellectualising a sport that is fundamentally simple? Stats can be fun, but the image of those who apply a religious faith in them having one hand on a mouse and the other tapping frantically at a well-worn calculator is very dull.

@Karatejesus82: I’m not a stats driven person by any stretch of the imagination but, when they are kept to a modicum, I can see how using them would back a point up or dispel certain untruths that are held due to stereotype. First and foremost, to me, is whether a game, or team, is exciting to watch and statistics may not bear out any detail for either of these things. However, it’s always reassuring for people to have stats bear out feelings they hold regarding certain players – for example, to continue the Jonny Evans Defence that my answers seem to have created, it was the case that (prior to Vidic’s return to the team), Evans was statistically the most accurate passer of all our defenders and was on the pitch for longer per minute per goal (if I remember correctly) at a time when a lot of fans were criticising him unfairly.

It would be more interesting to see the performance of players measured over a greater period of time, much in the manner of test match cricketers, so that the performance average can be seen when a greater set of differentials will have applied. If it’s on a season long basis then some players will have, it is safe to assume, played a greater number of games against weaker opposition than others and the stats, as a result, may well be skewed to create a false impression of a players worth.

@mierta23: Stats don’t tell the whole truth about football as some seem to believe, and there are few things more irritating than when someone doesn’t realise this. A player can have a 98% completion rate which is very good but in some cases everyone who has seen the game can tell that the player is still crap. Movement and finding the right pass is obviously much more important. However, I really can’t be bothered to care about those who think pass completion rate is the key to understanding the game, as there are so many more misguided souls out there.

@Twisted_Blood: Statistics aren’t the problem, people are the problem. To flip the question, the problem isn’t so much and over-intellectualising of the game as an under-contextualising of the numbers. Take pass completion. On its own, it tells you literally how many times a given player kicked the ball to a player on the same team. And on its own, that tells you very little about how effective a player has been; good footballers, after all, embrace the possibility of failure as the counterweight to achievement. Risk versus reward. Pass completion — on its own — doesn’t even begin to address that. Used well, statistics can provide illustration and insight into the workings of the game, but they’re frequently stripped of context and meaning: mispresented and misinterpreted until they become worse than pointless. And that’s just looking at football in a results-centred, performance-centred way, which is a horribly bleak way to live your life. I’ve not yet seen a number that can explain why Berbatov’s first touch makes me shiver, and I’ll take that over a low foul-throw percentage.

@SportyMuslimah: Statistics are as useful as you want them to be, using them to skewer a point is pointless; yet on the flipside they can at times be useful to prove a point. Carrick’s regular stats for many are a joy to behold; his stats put him on a par with a certain Spanish midfield duo.

Football is simple, before the Internet I hardly knew so many stats existed and found their purpose unnecessary. However, things like the Guardian Chalkboards and heatmaps seem to unearth the geek inside me. I love having a look at them and comparing players and teams to with each other. I wouldn’t solely base an argument on a stat though. After all, when watching a game we should let our eyes come to conclusions.

@DoronSalomon: Guilty for a start. I’ve always liked maths and for some time now have *dons nerd glasses* kept spreadsheets with figures about United players which I update after every game. I find numbers really easy to work with, much easier than words. I used to churn out the standard pass completion stats but you’re right that they only show a tiny percentage of a picture. When I share stats I try and find interesting, different ones now – such as who’s our most accurate striker and which defender makes a tackle the most frequently. I tend to make a point and if possible provide some statistical evidence; one should never lead with a stat. That said, when looking at the numbers you do sometimes notice things that spark a thought – for example I recently saw that Hernandez makes on average only 16 passes a game; it’s obvious but I’d never realised quite how uninvolved in our play he was.

Opta and Infostrada have some really interesting stuff – I do think some people think it’s cool or fashionable to go OTT on stats though – a couple of tweeters seem to forcibly spew bog-standard numbers in the hope of getting followers or retweets rather than because they think the stats are interesting or useful! Just be yourself I guess, I’ve always liked numbers and for a long period of time have shared that passion. Some people will always be anti it but I hope I show they can be used constructively too. Certainly I think it’s wrong to ignore what they can show.

10. There, you see, I’ve verged right back into sigh-mode. Okay, something brighter. Frantic bemoaning and critiques on United’s recent performances, particularly given City’s elevation, tells it own story, but what positives can be gleaned from what we have seen so far? Cleverley’s showings of a dynamism that we are so in need of? Welbeck’s rise, particularly given how it’s made that bit more special that he’s local? The emergence of Smalling and Jones as two of world football’s brightest defensive stars? de Gea’s maturity and composure on the back of an unsettling start? It’s easy to criticise, of course, given how most of us concede that whilst we bear many qualities, somehow – for whatever reason – we’re not where a club of United’s stature should be right now. Where else does hope lie? HELP!

@DoronSalomon: I think you’ve hit on all the right points there, not sure what I can add to with regards to individuals specifically. For me, the biggest positive is that we’re starting a new squad cycle and yet remain competitive. Previously we’ve fallen far behind when starting afresh but this time I think we’ll be there or thereabouts for most of the season. When we looked at Fergie’s 25 years, I wrote a piece for the blog looking at what the team could potentially be in a few years time – on paper it looked scarily good. I’m prepared to accept a bit of mediocrity if it means bedding in new players and restarting – Tony and Ian mentioned earlier regularly tell me how awful United were in the 70/80s and remind me that I should be grateful that I’ve only ever seen success! Finally, as a fan of the youth team it’s hard not to be excited and impressed by how well the FAYC winners of last season have adapted to reserve football. The transition has been seamless. Their individual and collective progression has been a joy to watch and it’s great to see some of them pushing into the fringes of the first team now.

@Twisted_Blood: If you wanted to take the best of everything, you’d end up with … well, De Gea, Jones, Smalling and Cleverley, as you’ve noted. The first three are going to be world-class. But there’s more! Hernandez continues to score, sometimes on purpose; Morrison and Pogba are starting to appear on the edges of the first team, and there’s more young talent behind them; at least two of our corners this season have beaten the first man; Rooney’s hair appears to have taken. And Darron Gibson is fit again. God, it’s all horrible.

@SportyMuslimah: De Gea, Jones and Smalling are standouts for me. Their performances have been superb; De Gea in particular has done well and seems to perform better every game after some unnecessary bashing in the English media. But then, given the press we have, that was expected. Smalling being able to slot in at right back and centre of defence and not look out of place at all has been sensational, to think of his rise from non-league football to where we see him now, must give hope to millions of football fans.

Jones is a breath of fresh air, although irksome that some of his mistakes are overlooked due to his lovable nature and otherwise outstanding performances. It will be interesting to see him develop, whether he commands a place in defence or central midfield. Clearly he has ability for either of these two.

Besides the first team, the continued improvement of the reserve team footballers, especially Larnell Cole, Morrison and Petrucci has also been positive to see, Fryers though remains a firm favourite of mine. I genuinely believe we require a back-up to Evra, I believe he can be the one. He seems to play with no care in the world and clear commitment every time. For all the worries we have, the foundations for the future are set in place.

@mierta23: The most positive thing so far has to be how young our squad is, and how much potential it has. We have replaced Van Der Sar with a young, top quality goalkeeper, we’ve got two of the best young centre backs there is in Jones and Smalling, we’ve got the Da Silva twins, Evans, Hernandez, Cleverley and Welbeck, – players who will only get better the more experience they get. Evans aside none of them is over 23. On top of that we’ve got a bunch of very talented kids in the reserves and out on loan, and even though there’s no guarantee any of them will make it things are looking promising. It’s probably fair to say that these players will be the spine of Manchester United for years to come. This season will probably be about giving the younger players experience and finding a solution to our midfield problems, but I felt the same way about last season and last season we ended up winning the league and playing in the Champions League final. It won’t be the end of the world if we don’t do that this season, but one should never count Manchester United out, and I think this is a team that will only get better. The future is ours.

@Karatejesus82: We have, undoubtedly, a great array of young players, particularly in defence but, as you say, we are lacking in something at this moment in time (although I would disagree with the comment that we’re not where a club of our stature should be right now, considering the successes over recent years). This could, in terms of having a player who can create something from nothing, largely be attributed to a lack of spark in the team since the departure of Ronaldo.

Our midfield over the last few years has become more functional than exciting but Ferguson and his staff would point to the continued success to show that there is not much wrong with the current setup. While I sympathise, and agree, with the view that this practicality has come at the cost of seeing some of the expansive play of previous Ferguson teams, there would in all probability be a higher proportion of dissenters had United been more ‘exciting’ during recent seasons at the cost of regularly missing out on top honours. One of the challenges for a manager at a top club is to keep these aspects balanced and, sometimes, I think United fans are quick to forget that, for all the niggling issues with the current squad, we have had some truly amazing experiences to savour in recent seasons. For example, there is no shame to be the second most consistent club in Europe during the last five years, behind Barcelona, and that would suggest we are performing to a level that a club of our size should be aiming to reach.

Unfortunately, despite his obvious ability, Berbatov has never had the impact that many would of hoped he would have had and it was a surprising decision that we retained him over the season (I would believe this was because he didn’t want to leave rather than the club not wishing him to leave). As a result, the only established players in the United squad who have the elusive ‘spark’ are probably an ageing Giggs, an inconsistent Nani and, to some degree, a similarly inconsistent Rooney. There’s a plethora of reliable footsoldiers (Carrick, Fletcher, Park, Valencia etc) who offer largely consistent albeit functional performances that, although proving successful, may not get the juices flowing. As a result, the signings of the previous summer, despite being good additions to the squad, failed to quench the desire for someone to take our midfield up a level (although, personally, I was delighted with the signing of Phil Jones and was as excited by his signing as I probably would have been about any other player – admittedly, his signing doesn’t address the underlying issues outlined above).

11. Can cannibals be arrested for being under the influence of alcohol (e.g. drunk-driving) if they have eaten someone who was drunk?

@DoronSalomon: Erm. Erm. Yes?!

@Karatejesus82: I think this would have to depend on two things. Firstly, how much alcohol had been drunk by the person that was to be eaten and, secondly, how much of that person the cannibal had digested, and therefore how much alcohol had entered their bloodstream, before driving. Without this information, I’m afraid it’s impossible to say.

@SportyMuslimah: Based on the premise that we are what we eat, then certainly. Besides, they should be arrested for cannibalism anyway!

@Twisted_Blood: Depends. How much nice Chianti?

@mierta23: I would argue that if someone eats another human being he or she should be arrested for more serious crimes than drunk-driving, but if someone is hungry enough to eat a whole person it would, hypothetically speaking, be possible. The person served as dinner would however have to be extremely drunk and consumed at an incredible speed so that the alcohol would still be in the blood. I hope you don’t ask this for personal reasons, by the way.