Last season uniteds away form was below our usual level. We won five, drew ten and lost four. While managing to lose the least (joint with Arsenal who had the best away record) we drew far too many. This season we already have 33 away points compared to 25 away points for the whole season.
Discussion point is, what has changed? The line up? Mentality? I read an article suggesting the absence of vidic could be the reason? I'm a massive fan of our ninja and raise that point as devil advocate. I'd appreciate thoughts opinions...
Man United away form
posted on 4/3/12
Last season away we got dominated far too often a little like today but last season we just didn't get result when not playing well.
But we've had some excellent away performances, fulham 5.0 sticks in my mind !!
posted on 4/3/12
It's strange. United have had a couple of seasons where their home form is superb and their away form lack-lustre, like last season, and other campaigns where the reverse is true and there seems to be no rhyme nor reason to it. I suppose momentum is part of it, but up until the City drubbing most of United's best results this season had come at home (v. Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal) and not away.
Is it better movement upfront, partly due to Welbeck's inclusion? Is it because we usually have two of Valencia, Nani and Young and can really stretch teams? Is it because Carrick is in such great form and we're not being over-run in midfield? (This really happened at Newcastle and look at that result ...)
Probably a combination of momentum/mentality and the above points about the players.
posted on 4/3/12
Carrick's form (also Scholes) has improved and he's given us more protection and a better hold of the ball in midfield.
However, I think the key difference has been Welbeck. Hernandez was a revelation last season, but his hold up play was poor and he'd often lose the ball to much and attacks would break down. With Welbeck, I feel having him hold the ball up allows us to get more men forward in support and winning more games as a result.
posted on 4/3/12
I don't think we've played that much better away from home this season. Crucially we've needed to win though, given Citys form. I think it's mainly down to the league table and what constitutes a "good" result. There were maybe times last season where we could settle for a draw. Not so this time.
posted on 4/3/12
I think the main difference is the mentality. As a fan I didnt go into a single away game last season confident of a win, and I bet the players felt the same way.
Also, as suggested above, the re-emergence of Carrick has been key. He's the one that calms things down, protects the back four and dictates the tempo of the game, something we never had last year. Today was the first time i've seen him struggle a little all season. For me he's easily our POTY.
posted on 4/3/12
Valencia for me.
posted on 4/3/12
Agreed on Carrick. Wasn't bad today but was probably one of his poorer games. Has been consistently excellent this season though. So much so that even some fans of rival clubs are acknowledging it!
posted on 4/3/12
Agreed on Carrick. Wasn't bad today but was probably one of his poorer games. Has been consistently excellent this season though. So much so that even some fans of rival clubs are acknowledging it!
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And yet, he still probably won't make the England squad.
posted on 4/3/12
Not upset by that, as a northern Ireland fan. Benefits united. But i do think he deserves more credit. And should be an automatic starter for England. Just ask Xavi!
posted on 5/3/12
Our away form would have been one of the best if we held on to our lead at fulham everton and birmingham. Them late goals were so painful 6 points dropped there.