Yet another home game, yet another loss. As fans leave the once called ‘Fortress’, there is dead silence and the aura of a noiseless Theatre of Dreams. They call Old Trafford as a place of reverence, where Legends showcase their exquisite talents day in and day out. Fifteen games gone into the 2013-14 campaign and the Champions now lie in an embarrasing ninth position, thirteen points adrift to pace setters and leaders Arsenal and seven points adrift of a Champions League berth come next May.
So what has gone wrong for David Moyes after taking over the herculean task of fitting in Sir Alex’s trousers which now seem to have been over grown for the Scot currently in charge. Saturday’s affair with Newcastle gave the Red Devils a chance of retribution, gievn their already embarrasing loss to Everton in midweek, little they would know what lay in store at the end of ninety minutes. Down, drenched, shocked and literally in tatters would perhaps be an understatement for the photographer who would have been taking snaps in Old Trafford after the final whistle was blown out loud.
Not that Manchester United were out thought or outplayed or outfoxed by a resilient Newcastle side who got the three points in their kitty, albeit a Yohan Cabaye strike from a cutback from the right wing. Both Phil Jones and Tom Cleverley were caught ball watching and paid the eventual price for just taking off their eyes at just the wrong moment. Without Rooney, Van Persie looked too ineffective, out of position and visibly tired throughout the game, being asked to play as the link up man. Players of Van Persie’s ilk are rarely good when it comes to creativity and without Rooney’s indomitable presence in the final third, United were simply just going nowhere.
Defensively there have been problems all season. Nemanja Vidic looks well past his sell by date, Rio Ferdinand is no longer the same player he was once and Patrice Evra’s contribution looks too iniscule to even get mentioned. Chris Smalling and Johnny Evans are rarely defenders who can win you the Premier League while Rafael, now back from injury needs time to settle.
In midfield too, as quite evident from yesterday’s encounter, Micheal Carrick’s lack of presence was perhaps the deciding factor. Raley United won the second balls in the middle of the park, rarely did they have the attacking outlet or the creativity. The worst part was witnessing them change flanks quite too often, that too without any sense of urgency or purpose. There will be talks of Moyes being handed over a wealthy transfer kitty come this January transfer window, which is imminent in a month’s time. Lot of speculations of over Ander Herrera, Julian Draxler or for that matter any other gem available in the market can be made, but there is only one question pertaining to Moyes.
The answer lies within. Can you rise?