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A 2-1 defeat to FC Basel saw Manchester United eliminated from the UEFA Champions League meaning that Fergie’s men will be playing in the Europa League from now on.
The chickens have surely come home to roost. Sir Alex Ferguson’s men were left wanting on a bitterly disappointing night in Basel as last season’s runners-up crashed out of the UEFA Champions League and into the micky-mouse Lea…sorry Europa League.
A Shock? Yes, that cannot be denied. Deserved? That in itself is debatable. Expected? Well, that depends on how closely you have been watching the Red Devils in recent months.
We at In The Stands are far from surprised; in fact, United’s elimination from Europe’s elite cup competition has aided in shedding some much needed light on the problems currently besetting Fergie’s men.
Here are some reasons as to why Manchester United will be playing European football on a Thursday night from now on. Try not to laugh too hard at the back there!
Home Draws With Both Basel and Benfica
Of course, the obvious reason as to why United will be on Channel 5 come the new year is due to the fact that they finished third behind group winners Benfica and runners-up Basel.
A 2-1 defeat in Switzerland was, upon reflection of the game a pretty fair scoreline. The question is how and why did Fergie’s men allow themselves to be in such a predicament come Matchday 6?
The answer is simple: two poor draws at home to the same opponents (3-3) on Matchday 2 and then Benfica (2-2) on Matchday 5 have proved fatal.
In both games the hosts led before throwing away their lead and as the saying on the continent goes, if you cannot win at home in Europe…
Manchester United Lack Creativity
No great side can function without the presence of a creative, flair player in their midst and sadly United lack just that.
Why-oh-why boss Sir Alex Ferguson did not break the bank to sign Samir Nasri or Wesley Sneijder baffles the mind?
The Red Devils seriously need a decent attacking midfielder come January but the problem is which classy attacking midfielder will come to a side playing Europa League football against the likes of…errr…Anathorsis Famagusta and Debrecan? Exactly!
The Manchester United Defence Is Terrible Without Nemanja Vidic
Pretty obvious this one. The undoing of United’s European campaign was their shoddy defence.
Nemanja Vidic was the only standout man in a leaky United rearguard, weighing in with some stellar performances at the heart of it with everybody else, including Patrice Evra going through the motions.
Of course Phil Jones is a potential star but has been used sparingly in midfield whilst Chris Smalling and Johnny Evans will hardly send a shiver down the spine of Emile Heskey, let alone Lionel Messi.
Meanwhile…
Rio Ferdinand’s Legs Have Gone
We have said it once and we shall say it again. Rio Ferdinand’s legs have gone and the England defender is washed up and over the hill.
Expect to see Rio in America soon as a forgotten former Premiership star with some oversized jeans as he pits his wits against the Texas Bears or some other crappy named US team.
No doubt the twitter-obsessive/twitter-freak will be telling us all about it. YAWN.
Over Reliance On Wayne Rooney
Lets face it Wayne Rooney has not been the same since his moment of madness for England against Montenegro back in October.
Yes, his new hairline looks amazing but the goals have dried up for the striker, he looks isolated up-top and the former Everton ace cuts a very frustrated figure.
With Ashley Young being good for an almighty 5 games and Nani reverting back to his old, dilly-dally self, United are in need of ‘Wazza’s’ magic more than ever.
And that over-reliance on Rooney is precisely the problem for Fergie’s men. No eggs = no omelettes as Jose Mourinho once said. For Man U that should read, ‘no Rooney = no goals’.
Manchester United Have A S*** Goalkeeper
The less said about David De Gea the better. When it comes to describing the Spanish keeper it is best to keep it short and sweet.
One word and four letters; the first begins with an s and the last ends in a t. Any guesses?
Manchester United’s Arrogance Was Also Their Downfall
It proved to be academic really. There is one reason more than any as to why the whole of England rejoiced gleefully when Manchester United crashed and burned at the first Champions League hurdle this year – it is their perceived arrogance.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men harbour a sort of residual and gnawing level of arrogance and pomposity which has manifested itself over-and-over again down the years.
This was axiomatically demonstrated in how they played and indeed have played throughout the season, as well as much of last season when a very average United side lifted the Premier League crown.
No urgency, little effort, playing as if winning is a right and at the same time boring the rest of us.
This arrogance was most blatantly seen when big-mouth Evra (remember him) happily declared that he would “like to face Barcelona again”, or Nani “not minding if Man U got Real Madrid”.
Oi, Evra, you are either suffering from battered-wife’s syndrome or you like being taken to the cleaners by Lionel Messi.
Still, United and Evra can play Barcelona again this season…on FIFA 2012 that is!
Related posts:
- Marseille v Manchester United: Champions League Last 16 Preview
- Chelsea v Manchester United: Champions League Quarter-Final Preview
- Manchester United v Chelsea: Champions League Quarter-Final 2nd Leg
- Manchester United v Schalke 04: Champions League Semi-Final 2nd Leg Preview
- Barcelona v Manchester United: Champions League Final 2011 Preview
