Man Utd - Again on the 'slow starters' route?

With the new season around, it’s always an exciting time come the first match-day of the season to be making predictions and gloating about the transfers a club has made, visualizing how they will prove spectacular. It was even more evident this time around as all red devils were relishing the opportunity to see the blockbuster star signing of the season, Robin Van Persie, in action for the first time ever in a Man Utd shirt. Almost every fan was thinking he would score, some even said he would do so with his first touch!

How the hopes of us fans were thrashed and bullied by a strong Everton, and their personal Hulk ‘Fellaini’!

The first indications that this could happen came when Rio got injured a couple of days ago and with the rest of the center-backs also out, it was Carrick who partnered the captain in central defense. But what perplexed me and I’m certain a lot of other people, was seeing Valencia as a RB and Nani on the right wing. I am no one to question the thinking of Sir Alex but certainly the first thought that came to my mind was ‘doesn’t it make more sense to play a natural defender as a right back when the team is already struggling in defense?’.

However, it could have been to negate the strength that Everton had in the form of Distin, Jagielka and Fellaini for corners and set plays. Well if that was the plan, it didn’t help much as Everton eventually scored the same way. The way Man Utd’s defense and midfield were dominated by Everton in physical terms is alarming, as teams like Stoke and Fulham will make it very hard for United in their games too.

What really upset me was the attack. Rooney didn’t shine, Welbeck was good in parts, Kagawa by the looks of it is a one- touch player and so it would take some time for players around him to get in sync with him. Nani is known to have days when it doesn’t go right for him, and yesterday was a real disaster. I don’t recall a single cross or corner going past the first defender, and once when it did, it didn’t clear the second defender. And why all corners or crosses were delivered to the near post, I fail to understand. RVP, well he will surely have better days as he gets more time on the pitch.

Once again talks have started about how Man Utd tend to be slow starters, and how the second half of the season is always better for them. Man Utd have lost about 6-7 + points almost every season in the first 6 matches, and have gone on to recover from that and challenge and often win the title. But the case then was different as almost each season it turned out Man Utd had truly only 1 challenger for the title – either Arsenal, Chelsea or as in last season Man City.

But this time around with a stable Man City and a strong Chelsea with a brilliant midfield, it will be atleast two other challengers and such slip-ups as the Everton game will hurt us bad. As far as being strong second half finishers – I don’t think so, atleast not after last season and with the current squad. We better not lose any more points in the coming few games or we could find ourselves well behind the 8-ball very early in the season.