Adam Dennehey WAFU manager
So who was it who said Sir Alex Ferguson and Mike Phelan were at the Etihad last night just to watch Robert Lewandowski? Would the duo not have been at last night’s Champions League match to watch some of Borussia Dortmund’s other stars?
Of course not according to the mainstream-media, Sir Alex was solely there to watch the German Champions’ Polish goalscoring sensation. Lewandowski aside from missing a sitter 15 minutes from time led the line well causing City’s centre-backs Vincent Kompany and new-boy Matija Nastasic problems all night.
Able to lead the line on his own and dominate defenders, Lewandowski’s performance was pivotal in Dortmund’s stylish display and the fact he held the ball up well, bringing Jurgen Klopp’s flair-players like Mario Goetze and Marco Reus into play time and time again meant that City just couldn’t cope all night.
But for Joe Hart’s outstanding performance last night, Dortmund would have come away from Manchester with a heavy victory, one that could have completely crushed City’s Champions League chances, never mind one that could completely scar a season.
So who else aside from Lewandowksi could have impressed Sir Alex and Phelan last night?
Well with United’s injury nightmare at the back continuing, there’s no doubt that Neven Subotic and Mats Hummels would fit in well at the club. They are both no-nonsense defenders, first-choices for their respective national teams and with long-term injury doubts surrounding the futures of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, would be ready-made replacements for either of them, despite being both only 23 years old.
In midfield Poland’s captain Jakub Błaszczykowski, affectionately known as ‘Kuba’ ran all-night putting in the kind of performance that one would expect after seeing his performances at Euro 2012. Surprisingly though Ilkay Gundogan, someone who until last night was probably unknown to British football fans, made the biggest strides forward in Dortmund’s midfield.
The 21-year-old wasn’t bothered about having to come up against the behemoth that is Yaya Toure in midfield and made a fool of City’s man-mountain. His interception to win the ball off the Ivorian and his resulting cross which led to Lewandowski’s sitter was an exceptional bit of play, proving that Toure can despite his undoubted power and ability be dealt with by a player seemingly half his size with half of his ability. Premier League players take note!
Whilst Dortmund impressed last night, they showed Sir Alex that City can be got at and you can beat them by playing attacking football. Yes I know City didn’t lose last night but they were battered all over the pitch. Yes keeper Roman Weidenfeller made his fair-share of saves denying Sergio Aguero a brace in the first-half, but despite having more possession last night City looked vulnerable and defensively this season don’t look anything near as sound as they did last season.
Perhaps this is the kick up the derriere that City need to kick-start their performances this season. After all with Sunderland and West Brom up in their next two fixtures they shouldn’t really be dropping points in those games. In the Champions League though it’s a different matter altogether and they cannot afford anything really but two wins against Ajax. Still though you’d expect them to achieve that, but at least it’s put an element of some doubt into their minds.
By Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87
Dortmund's all 11 players will walk into Utd's 1st team. But since we have two good players amidst the dads, duds and dummies, I'll settle for the 4 defenders and 4 midfielders from Dortmund's line-up against City. SAF was plain crazy not to dump Evra, Evans, Rafael, Ferdinand, Carrick,Nani, Anderson, Hernandez et el this summer and bring in some quality. I was shocked to see Pogba play so well for Juve lately and that was the guy we let go for what ? A few thousand quids more may be?? I am certain SAF has lost it and his so-called coaching team is even worse. Sorry mates, grim days ahead indeed for Utd. The “peformance” against Spurs was plain shocking and disgusting but not unexpected. A team with no quality was cruelly exposed. A central defender from opposing team runs with the ball 70 yards and scores!!!! Need we say more?
Totally agree with John Tring. It's a reality check for SAF and all MU fans n players. We should no longer rely on Giggs, Scholes n Carrick to run our midfield. Rio n Vidic are also no longer reliable as they're old n injury prone. We need midfield n defensive overhaul. Should've bought Dembele but ee didn't. I'd buy subotic/hummels (no need both since we already have jones n smalling), gundogan, m'villa, gotze n kuba.,
i am really not happy with alex cus he plays with the intrest of the team hereby buying weak legs as player 4 d club,dnt u look at bvb nice club. Manutd nice a defender a steel not carrick,jones,welbeck, all dis are weak legs.