15 years ago today

steve

The thing is that we play a kind of 3-5-2 in possession where our wing backs (Rafael and Evra) are our most creative players.

When we don't have Rafael there it causes massive problems for us going forward.

True. I love rafael and when we play Smalling (a good CENTRE BACK there) it does limit us, through no fault of Smallings, as it's not his natural position. Similar to Jones. He's performed way beyond my expectations in midfield but I think the guy has all the attributes to be a top top centre back and that's where I want to see him play. But so long as a player is willing to play where suits the team's needs, it says a lot about his character.

Players like Smalling, Jones and Welbeck get played in unfamiliar positions because it gives them much needed game time.

When Rafael, Vidic, Evans, Rooney and RVP are fit, the aforementioned 3 luckily had a manager (now Moyes too) who didn't just leave them on the bench but gave them vital playing time somewhere on the pitch which is far better than leaving them to 'rust' on the sidelines.

You know that old saying about not leaving a rolls royce back in the garage? It's the same principle when it comes to top young players like Jones, Smalling and Welbeck.

Playing them anywhere is better than not playing them at all.

It does affect our style of play I admit, but it's the price to pay with a squad as large as ours.

I notice that we didn't beat any of the top 8 away from home that season. We still have most of the top 8 to play away from home this season, so if we can lose those then we have a chance.

What a stupid article which makes no sense whatsoever

man city been woeful last 3 games and won in the league. Maybe its there year unless chelsea amd arsenal do something about it. Man utd only hope is winning 15 or 16 of our next 19 games including the big ones.

Also in 98-99 man utd won there next 5 games after at 25 game stage we had 50 points.

Man utd have to win the next 3 league games to get above 2 points per game average. Its so frustrating that cardiff game, the home game against everton and newcastle games we should have won.

Having said that its unusual to be like 9th after 15 games of the season 13 points behind. I still think we can win the title but maybe we need to win all the big games and most of the smaller games. We left ourselves with literally little margin for error.

http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/2013-2014/table/2013-12-14

At least the table looks a lot better then that, man utd were 9 points off 4th now 3 points away.

Remember when I said we wouldn't win, well I was completely correct.

But rather than say "I told you so" I would rather reflect on the fact we were better than they were. We were unfortunate to lose and deserved better.