Defeat To City All But Throws The League Away

Over the last weekend, in my weekly call with my Mum, the subject of United vs City dominated our discussion. 

For context you have to realize she gave birth to me on 10th Feb 1958, only days after the Munich air disaster, and so my whole life we are connected by birth and this event that shaped those days. We care passionately about United and we knew the significance of this game.

I predicted the team.

After Rafael having a disaster against Everton, I thought Phil Jones would return.

I guessed Sir Alex Ferguson would see the poor showing of Antonio Valencia as a loss of form, and try Ashley Young and Nani outside Wayne Rooney in  4-5-1 defence and a 4-3-3 attack.

I predicted maybe Chris Smalling at right back and Jones with Michael Carrick in front of the back four.

All defensive strategies to play for a draw, I said our nerves would be shredded by this approach, and that United would have to play very well to save a 0-0 draw.

And so it proved except I was wrong.

Why play Park Ji-Sung? What was Ryan Giggs doing?

2 decisions that are hard to fathom.

This year when Park plays, we lose. Look at the stats.

Our Europa league away formation has proved a disaster, and so it did again.

David De Gea again proved he hates crosses, Dracula returned.

Patrice Evra had little protection, they skinned us at left-back.

Jones is poor at present, very poor.

Rooney was disconnected and poor in control.

We were outplayed, outfought, outrun and lucky to only lose 1-0.

We have thrown the league away, if we win it then I’d be surprised, we had our chance against Everton, we are not good enough.

All season I have written that Evra is finished in respect of 60 games a season, that we need 2 midfielders, one in defence and one creative.

Our team is 3 players short of a league winning team. And that’s £100m short.

I didn’t call my Mum after the game, I was sad to be right and to prove that Sir Alex lacked the ambition to at least go for it.

I’d rather have lost in an open fast flowing game than try and draw to survive.

United never die, but on Monday we looked awfully sick, anaemic and lacking energy.

Get well soon United because we want to see you smile again.

Pep Guardiola, please look at us as a case in need. Sir Alex, please look in the mirror.

Sad to say but I mean it.

By Steve Burrows CBE @ifollowsteve