Adam Dennehey WAFU manager
Frustrating though the draw in Wales was to a Manchester United team boasting much of our best XI, the post game claim by Sir Alex Ferguson that Robin van Persie could have been killed seemed a most exaggerated response. Frustration shared Sir Alex but come on, it’s a ball not a coin or missile.
With the possible exception of the hamstrung Rafael, and the injury plagued Shinji Kagawa, United were at full strength against Swansea, yet managed to deliver a performance that lacked the edge needed to restore the belief that this squad is the real deal.
Some poor performances notably by Phil Jones, Nemanja Vidic and Wayne Rooney, allied to mediocrity from David De Gea, Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young and Tom Cleverley meant that the team just didn’t gel.
Vidic getting roasted for pace early on by Michu raised memories of that roasting by the Fernando Torres of old at Liverpool in that 4-1 hammering at Old Trafford, and it seemed to unsettle the Captain. He did OK but no more.
Jones has lost his way at United and just runs around without much thought, crashing into tackles and lumping poor crosses into the penalty area. He plays like a thug. Where did the new Duncan Edwards go to?
Rooney was terrible. After some promise in his performance at Manchester City he has returned to the overpaid, overweight sloth that ambles around, misplacing passes and breaking up promising moves.
His efforts at goal were pathetic and the fastest he moved was when Sir Alex subbed him off after a free kick attempt that was weak at best. Surely he can’t continue on like this, he is bad value for that huge wage and either he starts to show he cares or we must consider his contract and sell to a PSG or City (if they remain interested).
Frankly after a bright opening it was Swansea who dominated the game and their equaliser was no more than they deserved, 1-1 at halftime was a good result for us.
Second half we hit the bar twice but mostly wasted chances galore as last ditch defending and poor final passes threw 2 points away.
Michael Laudrup has improved Brendan Rodgers’ team with shrewd load deals and some super bargain buys but this patchwork outfit should have been dispatched with ease. Real Madrid won’t be quaking in their boots at this performance.
We have a busy schedule coming up. Liverpool, Spurs and Real Madrid. The next month will test us.
Seeing Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes come on to save us was a worrying sight. Its clear Scholes has chosen well in retiring finally, his time is over. Giggs should follow suit.
Michael Carrick and Cleverley are good but cannot play every week, we remain two midfield players short in our squad. Anderson and Kagawa need fitness and we need to save up for the January sales whatever Sir Alex says.
Frankly Rio Ferdinand, Rafael, Nani, Anderson and Kagawa must have all watched this knowing they will walk into this team on this form, when they are fit again.
Two points dropped was not what we wanted at Christmas, we have to stop giving gifts away at the back. Santa might have something to surprise us in his sack (that a hint Glaser).
Maybe if we sign Scrooge he will restore some meanness?
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Merry Christmas.
By Steve Burrows CBE @ifollowsteve
What an over exaggerated mess, brighten up pal!
Load of bollocks ok roo was crap but jones is getting better needs the games and unlike you I thought vida was brill in the second half .it was one of those days we will only get better .have the faith ,believe.
i love this article and most especially was that of selling rooney. i gree with that ideal, they should sell rooney out of the club and use that money to buy a good attacking midfielder and good striker.
It's interesting how poor form leads to “injury” as Rooney and Jones have discovered.
Vidic is always slow to return to form and today he showed his warrior side, bravery exceeds pace in his case and so when we are under pressure he shows up.
Jones is a donkey, poor touch and all uncoordinated roughhouse, he has to improve to be worth a place in this team, and what exactly is his best position ? It's not midfield, he has no chance of being a centre half and lacks the pace to be a fullback in the modern game, never mind he can't cross a ball. Where do you play a donkey ?
Rooney is past his best, lacks the edge that made him the star he briefly was, and now takes home £200,000 to Kai and Colleeen every week, no matter what. Way too comfortable to recovery his hunger, which he obviously retains in the kitchen of Chez Rooney. Wayne's world will remain 5 year contract on £10m a year until that last year when United try and move him on.
The purchase of Lewondowski proves SAF sees no future in Fatman and Robin.
Meanwhile we head a poor Premier League by 7 points, but upcoming games will test our true resolve. If we beat Real Madrid and remain 7 or more points in he lead come mid-feb then I will admit I'm wrong.