Yesterday’s result at The Emirates has left a bad taste in my mouth. Not because of the manner of the defeat, in which United were outplayed for vast amounts of the game. Not because what was seemingly becoming a stroll to the historic 19th title, has suddenly become a straight-out fight between ourselves and Chelsea. Not even because it give the celebrity Gooners on Twitter something to bang on about despite their teams dire end to the season. It left a bad taste in my mouth because it was yet another stale, washed-out display away from Old Trafford after a European away game.
Away from home this season has been a very strange experience for United fans as the team has failed to perform to our usual high standards week in, week out. Our record so far this season is an unimpressive won 5, drawn 9 and lost 4. Blackpool, who currently lie in 17th have won the same amount of games away from home this season. Compare this to last season were we won 11 away from home and in the 2008/09 season we won 12 on the way to our 18th title. But there is one thing that is consistent over the these seasons and that is that United struggle to play away from home after an away tie in the Champions League.
Travelling to an away game on the continent midweek, followed by an away game in the league is never going to be an easy task. So you may think that I am being unjust and unfair against United, but sadly this is not the case. In the past five seasons, United has a worse record in matches of this type than both Chelsea and Arsenal. Since the 2006/07 season, United have played 15 away games after a Euro away, winning 7, losing 6 and drawing 2. That’s a win percentage of 47% and an average of 1.5 pts per game. If you compare this to Chelsea (50% win and 1.8 pts per game) and Arsenal (56% and 1.9 pts per game), you can see that we tend to struggle a bit more than our rivals in these games.
Despite this, in the five seasons I looked back at, United have of course won three league titles and got to two Champions League finals, winning one of them. So these results clearly haven’t effected us when all is said and done as we have clearly picked up points in other areas in which our rivals haven’t. And the one thing that has saved us this season is our amazing home form. Played 17, won 16, drawn 1. Old Trafford is once again becoming a fortress, so with two of our remaining three games in the League being at home it still bodes well for us.
So whilst yesterday’s result still stings, still represents a chance lost to wrap this league up, it’s not all doom and gloom. This type of result isn’t something out of the ordinary. It doesn’t represent United bottling it when it really matters and it doesn’t represent some kind of tactical deficiency by Fergie. It is simply a case of a Euro hangover, coupled with playing an Arsenal team who really have no pressure on them at all now they are out of the running for the league. United will regroup, and we will give Chelsea a hell of a game at Old Trafford next Sunday. This title is most certainly still in our hands and Fergie will have the lads ready.
MUFC689908, 
Brookesy, 
Dime, and 3 others are discussing. 
Helfo, 
RedScot, 
MadManc78, 
Jay2 are discussing. 
Wayne gresty 15:20 on January 13, 2012 Permalink |
It so true this just reading some peoples timelines is madness how they go on too these young kids, there going to try it on all the time!
eltricolor2014 15:22 on January 13, 2012 Permalink |
We already have our graduate from the academy which may be at the same level with Becks, Scholes, Butt and the like and that’s Tom Cleverly (really hope to see him back in Feb.). No need to worry if Pogba or Morrison would leave cept they’d be fools if they think they can go to a better club.
Daniel Tuck 15:23 on January 13, 2012 Permalink |
Great post, too true. Idiot fans who dont know much about their own club.In Sir Alex we trust.
Dime 15:40 on January 13, 2012 Permalink |
Nice post, i must say. This panic is exaggerated.
But, you can not deny that we invested a lot in these 2 guys already, they are one of the best youngsters on the island and losing them would mean that we are doing something wrong in our scholar policy.
I can see that clubs getting those players for nothing would mean that we are a feeder club. The lack of loyalty that these players show (or the media show) is their problem and it’s unacceptable. But, onthe other side, we are living in a different context then the young Giggsy era, so we must adaprt on the market and show that we are competitive financially to keep our best players.
Regards
Brookesy 15:45 on January 13, 2012 Permalink |
Pique probably worth about 30 million now and Rossi at Villareal is probably worth about the same. No brilliant bit of business letting those go on the cheap. I agree Fergie is a great manager but I have to question some of his decisions at times. Manchester United will always be bigger than one invidual and that includes Pogba, Morrison and SAF!!!!! Roy Keane made a few good points a week or 2 ago after our dreadful showing in Basel!
MUFC689908 16:07 on January 18, 2012 Permalink |
It would be a real shame to see these two lads go, especially Pogba. I’ve been a season ticket holder for three years, and have watched the reserves for around 4, including Pogba debut. I think that it is true that we cannot get held to ransom, but I do feel to lose BOTH Pogba and Morrison would be a real disaster and show a decline in the clubs ambitions. Although I agree (if the stories are true), I would have to say I would rather see Ravel leave as opposed to Pogba, as Pogba seems more interested in playing football (shame about his agent), whereas Morrison seems to have a few screws loose. With the departure of Darron Gibson too, it has be be pointed out the wage bill has dropped, and surely this is enough to sign either Pogba or Morrison?
I think it would be a real disaster to lose either of them and see them go on to great success, and after all the praise SAF has been giving Pogba, I really do hope he does not let it happen.