It is the general consensus and accepted narrative that Man Utd's defence is cack and will only likely improve with investment in a transfer window.
But what was seen as a likely remedy to this was attack. 'Attack is the best form of defence' springs to mind.
Last year, Liverpool managed to (largely) paper over their porous defence with an incredible attack. The S-A-S as we all called Suarez and Sturridge - helping to take Liverpool over the 100 goal tally last campaign. Not only were they two brilliant individual players but importantly: They were at the top of their game and they had a wonderful chemistry between the two that was supported by Sterling and Coutinho. They could genuinely outscore teams.
The same was predicted of United. Large amounts were spent to bring in di Maria and Falcao, but 10 games into the season the goalscoring exploits arent forthcoming and don't appear to be brewing.
Van Persie at 31 has probably already peaked and appears to be losing sharpness and a bit of hunger.
Rooney always blows hot and cold and even at 29 years old feels like a shadow of the Rooney of 7 or 8 years ago.
Falcao has a poor injury record and is also in his late 20's.
James Wilson is just a kid
United have no strikers at the top of their game, no strikers in peak physicsal fitness and no real signs of genuine chemistry and intuitiveness between the attackers so I just wonder is this as big an issue as the defence? As I said United's poor defence almost leaves the onus on the shoulder of those able to score more than the back four let in. Somehow I feel United's forward line needs a shake up too.
Are the strikers the real issue at United?
posted on 8/11/14
Michael Carrick starts for the first time this season, alongside Paddy McNair in a makeshift Manchester United defence.
Man Utd XI: De Gea, Valencia, McNair, Blind, Shaw, Fellaini, Carrick, Januzaj, Rooney, Di Maria, Van Persie.
Palace XI: Speroni, Mariappa, Delaney, Dann, Ward, Puncheon, Ledley, McArthur, Bolasie, Chamakh, Campbell.
posted on 8/11/14
Just saw 2nd goal chelsea so lucky cross goes tocosta and he lashes it in, why can't rvp do that.
posted on 8/11/14
I just wonder is this as big an issue as the defence?
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Yes but not in the way that you suggest.
We have used 8 CB defensive partnerships in 10 games this season already (today will be the 9th I gather with Blind at the back). We lack stability in defence - and so it goes with our strikers.
RVP was always going to have a slow start after the WC and having no preseason. Falcao has been injured and has hardly played yet and Roo got himself suspended for the whole of October so how can we expect to have seen a strike partnership blossom this season?
I reserve judgement of this team - and the manager - until we can field a stable CB partnership and a stable strike partnership. I think there is still a lot more to come from this team so it is hard to draw any firm conclusions.
posted on 8/11/14
That goal seen again azpilcuetta just kept ball in but mignolet touched the cross just away and Morena stopped it for Costa to score, comical defending.
posted on 8/11/14
Balotelli is like Berbatov slow and offside.
posted on 8/11/14
Liverpool ending the game like Man utd did against Chelsea hpe Liverpool equalise.
posted on 8/11/14
Shame Liverpool didn't score that Matic block and that poor cross from Lambert and glem Johnson cost them.
posted on 8/11/14
Merson just said its all Man utd 6 mins in di Maria had cross/shot blocked and I see we have 81% possession. Merson watching our game I wonder if it changes his opinion of Man utd
posted on 8/11/14
Manager reaction - "We are the autumn champions"
Liverpool 1-2 Chelsea
Posted at
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho: "In the second half showed something new, which is to be 1-1 at Anfield and don't accept the result as a good result and play to win. I think we were very impressive, we want to play, we want to win we want the ball. The personality of the team is amazing. The best team by far was the blue team and the team that deserved to win was Chelsea.
"Unbeaten through the season is the impossible job, I think we will lose. I think we have a very good chance to win the title but I think we, Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Southampton are all still in the race. All we can say is that we are the champions of the autumn."
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Mourinho the wum thinks if Liverpool lost today they were out of it yet even if we win we are only two clear of crystal palace.
posted on 8/11/14
I mean two clear of Liverpool