Showing posts with label worry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label worry. Show all posts

Sunday, 24 August 2014

Paper over the cracks?

With a performance reflecting the moral of last season, United's game against Swansea will want to be forgotten quickly. In his words he has become 'the devil' and the squads confidence 'smashed'. It will though will be a small boost with the signing of Rojo mid weed and the strong rumours that Di Maria will be a United player this coming week. 

LVG has stuck with his 3-5-2 formation, and with a few changes has brought in Van Persie, Cleverly and Valencia. He will be looking for an improvement from the opening game from those who have kept their places. Ashley Young in particular. 

If Van Gaal's words were correct, United were lacking confidence. Their performance was, for such a dominant team of the last two decades, was embarrassing to watch. Whenever they were pressed or made to hurry, ball control was lacking. Mis-controlling, bad passing, it was missing. Something is wrong, deep within the core of United. The best way I can describe their performances is that you have select United in a football computer game and given the controller to your pet dog. 

Even though the lead was taken through Mata, Sunderland continued to be the dominant side and deservedly equalised. Yes they started to control possession but that was it. No one to grab the game and in a split second switch it up or inject pace to catch Sunderland off guard. Rooney and RVP were able to receive the ball but the midfield were very static. No over lapping, or options in movement. It inevitably resulted in the ball being passed back. And with that lack of creativity from the midfield the more worry creeps into the mindset of those players. 

I would comment on the second half but it was just as poor. As a United fan it's a hard watch. It's the second game of the season and there are players with an attitude of an over paid, over rated teenager. Young, none existent again, Cleverly's form rapidly decreasing. Sunderland weren't exactly top drawer. They stuck to their guns, defended in numbers and got the result they would be happy with. 

For LVG he must be wondering what happened to the squad that played so well in America? For they were a polar opposite of his team on UK soil. There was glimpses of a team that had quality in all departments and from senior players to youth. But now, he is watching players with no idea how to break their opponents down. He needs Mr Woodward to pull a rabbit or two out of a hat in their final week of the transfer window but even he may have to resort to his plan B of transfer targets. 

Maybe a win against MK Dons on Tuesday in the league cup may be what they need in order to get that confidence, to build from a win. The new signings may be that missing link or may just paper over the cracks. 

Time to change, and fast.