The 19th time league winners are always the favourites to win the title and it started as the same this year but after their derby demolition things do not look very good. Yes, it is wrong to judge a team on one game but this was the game that exploited their holes and weaknesses that cost them the UEFA Champions League title last year and may cost them the League if they are not dealt with.
The biggest problem this club is having is the midfield which is the heart and hub of the team and all the great sides have a great central midfield which are responsible for creating chances for their teams and providing that moment of magic which win matches and trophies. In the past United have many great midfielders such as Paul Scholes, Roy Keane etc they were all great and helped the Red Devils reach glory. Now we look at the current standing of this position where Rooney who is being employed in the middle of the pitch rather then his favourite place up front. No doubt that the Englishman is a great passer of a ball and has been excellent when employed deep his energy is great but with that leaves a hole up front which can not be filled by Hernandez or Welbeck because they are poachers and need someone like Wayne to partnering them. In the summer many thought the problem of midfield would be solved but it wasn't and it appeared that the right thing was done while seeing the early season performances where Untied played brilliantly and scored goals for fun who can forget the massacre of Arsenal at Old Trafford due to Anderson and Cleverly but that was to be short lived. As now Cleverly is injured while Anderson has taken a dip in form they both can't be given this big responsibility on their young heads and United does need a world class player who can provide that flair which United are lacking right now. Sneijder was an excellent choice but that didn't happen so now SAF does need to go in the market in January and bring himself a midfielder and when he brings someone they are great and no one can deny it. So he must work his magic and solve this problem while not being stubborn and thinking they do not need someone which cost them their the European Cup last season.
Also their is a problem at the back where a combination still hasn't been made . The best thing to do right now is go with experience with Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra and Jones/ Smalling who are both great while rotation can also be done but first the back four needs to be selected. Lastly i think it's time the formation needs to be changed although the current 4-4-2 formation is great and has been working for United for a long long time but now it needs to be changed. Everytime we play the big teams we are beaten the middle of the park where the matches are won or lost so a formation of 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 would be excellent but the correct players should be chosen and adjustments would need to be made. If Man Utd can solve these problems then their is a great chance of them winning the League.
Final Verdict
- The long standing problem of Midfield needs to be addressed once and for all .
- The back four combination needs to be made
- A different formation and approach needs to be adopted.