Monday, March 31, 2014

Planes, stunts and ****s: Players indiscipline costing Moyes and United.

United are preparing to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter final, sadly, it is likely to be yet another humiliation. Bayern are a cut above Man City, who themselves recently strolled to an all too easy three nil victory at Old Trafford. Before that, it was the turn of United's other bitter rivals Liverpool who enjoyed another romp and goal fest. Can it get any worse? Probably yes, when the Bavarians are the visitors to Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

Saturday at least brought some much needed respite for under fire coach David Moyes, who had to endure the embarrassing spectacle of a controversial fly-past. Most of the talk before and after Saturday's 4-1 win over Villa, centred on the 'Moyes-out' banner, enough said, but the speculation over the United manager's future rumbles on an it will continue to do so over the coming weeks.

There has been no shortage of finger pointing with suggestions from the media and hints from Moyes, that Ferguson is partly to blame for the shambolic state United find themselves in. The ageing squad bequeathed to Moyes clearly had many weaknesses. But would Ferguson and his former backroom team have failed as badly as his replacement and Co? Michael Owen 'wrote' an interesting article over the weekend in which he made his views very clear: "sacking Rene Meulensteen, Mike Phelan and Eric Steele remains the single biggest mistake to date". Owen's views are of course shared  by many, it isn't a case of hindsight either as many journalists, pundits and fans alike all voiced the same concerns when the news first broke.

And yet throughout this troublesome season, the players have to a large degree been getting away with it, but the players are every bit to blame as Moyes. Winning is a collective thing, as is losing - everyone has to take responsibility for their actions. Some of United's defending has been woeful to put it bluntly.

Paul Scholes, criticised Rio Ferdinand and Danny Welbeck (among others) for Dzeko's second goal in the recent derby - and rightly so - it was as if Rio didn't give a flying *uck. Then look at Rafael, against Liverpool and Aston Villa on Saturday: the Brazilian got booked for a poor challenge and then just a few minutes later gave away a penalty from which Liverpool took the lead. Against Villa, Rafael once again found himself out of position - he predicatbly gave away a foul in a dangerous area and again the visitors scored. We should also mention Fellaini, United's tallest player - surely he should have positioned himself in the middle of United's defensive wall, instead, he nearer the end and that made it easier for Westwood to score. Felliani was also guilty of elbowing an opponent in the Villa game - just as he was against Liverpool for which he should have been sent off. Buttner, managed to get himself booked for slapping Albrighton for diving and once again - this was another case of indiscipline. It really isn't good enough and Moyes needs to hammer those who let the team down, this indiscipline and unprofessionalism is leading directly to goals for the opposition.

Rafael was substituted at half-time against Villa, and he is likely to miss the first leg of Tuesday's cup tie, frankly, no matter who replaces him, he is no loss at pressnt as he has become a liability. The end of the season can't come quickly enough for this red.

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