'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Premier League side, Manchester United, travelled to League Two outfit, Cambridge United, in the fourth round of the FA Cup. The tie was a glamorous one for the cash-strapped club and as it was telecast on TV it meant a cash windfall for the club.The match did not feel like a Premier League side were playing a team in the fourth division of English football. Cambridge had chances of taking the lead in the first half, but failed to capitalize on set pieces.The second half saw wave after wave of Manchester United attacks, but, the Cambridge defence stood firm and earned another outing with the Premier League side.Here are the five talking points from the match:
#1 Lack of directness
Manchester United were at their sluggish best tonight against Cambridge. The ghosts of David Moyes era came to the fore as United were very slow and indirect in their approach. Louis van Gaal had brought back the zip and verve which have been synonymous with United for almost a quarter of the century.
The wide men were almost nonexistent and whenever they came to life, they were a complete wreck especially the likes of Adnan Januzaj and Daley Blind, who due to their sluggishness gave Cambridge time to get back into shape. The lack of movement by United’s front two, James Wilson and Radamel Falcao, gave nothing to their creative wizards with their movement as they barely made any runs behind the Cambridge backline.
Even Michael Carrick, who is always reliable, was going sideways more often than forward. Marouane Fellaini, who was in the side specifically for his direct style of play, was nowhere to be seen for major swathes of the game.
It was United’s lack of directness or incisiveness which cost them the game and not to forget the shambolic finishing on show by two of their best forwards. This can lead to their downward spiral in the cup competition if they consistently continue to misfire.
#2 Phil Jones Conundrum
He is arguably one of the very best young English centre-half. Phil Jones today was just a pale shadow of himself. Unconfident in possession and diabolical while taking corners.
If not for the heroics of his defensive partner Marcos Rojo, Cambridge would have slayed down the Devils at the Abbey Stadium. Jones consistently gave away possession with his aimless long balls and at times due to his risky passing in front of his own keeper.
Jones was caught napping by Cambridge forwards quite a few times when he was put under pressure. At times, he was completely clueless about his surroundings as he clattered into his own teammate pretty often, especially in the first half.
He was decent enough in second half but nowhere close to his imperious best. Someone tipped for greatness was just wasn’t at his best against a side which is 75 places below his team in Football League pyramid.
Coming to his new found set-piece duties, it is really very baffling to see a 6 foot plus defender take a corner! Especially with the likes of Angel Di Maria and Adnan Januzaj on field. The gamble is failing miserably due to Jones’ pathetic delivery where he fails to get past the first man in 9/10 times.
With growing impatience at Old Trafford, Phil Jones can barely afford to have such horrendous displays against such mediocre sides.
#3 Young guns misfiring
Manchester United’s tradition of promoting promising youngsters from the academy to the first team has given the club one legends too many. Sir Bobby Charlton, Ryan Giggs are just a couple of them. Tonight, academy’s brightest prospects in James Wilson and Adnan Januzaj were on show.
Both the young lads are tipped to be world beaters in time, but tonight they failed to justify all the hype that is surrounding them. James Wilson was completely invisible from the game for almost 32 minutes, where he did nothing but mindless running. But overall, he was just not into the game. He was awarded start in this game post impressive performances of the bench against QPR and Yeovil but two tame shots was all he could muster up in his 67-minute stay.
Like Wilson, Januzaj too was completely off color. It has been a difficult season of late for the Belgian, who has failed to impress Louis van Gaal. The winger lacks the cutting edge possessed by the erstwhile wingers of Manchester United. The 20-year-old playmaker is blessed with quick feet but more often than not fails to play that killer pass. This lack of killing instinct is no doubt hurting his starting prospects in this pretty feeble United’s pool of wingers.
#4 Courageous Cambridge
The fans roared and the U’s gave their illustrious visitors a good run for their money. A club that is struggling in League Two and is a cool 75 places below Man United, they gave a very good account of themselves, especially in the first half.
Now, not only they have a chance to go through the next round, but the players will also have a chance to play a once in a lifetime opportunity to play at the Theatre of Dreams. Ryan Donaldson led his troops admirably as they were a constant nuisance to the United rearguard in the first forty-five minutes.
This is a fairy tale for a club who was nearly going bust just over a decade ago. The Ambers and Blacks never gave up and firmly held onto their ground as they didn’t let United break them. Chris Dunn’s heroics in the second half will be into folklore. Along with him, all the defenders of the club deserve a special praise for their superb organization in the second half.
With nothing to lose for in the second leg and a glorious trip to Old Trafford in the offing, the Ambers should have a spring in their stride in the match.
#5 Over-reliance on Micheal Carrick
Michael Carrick has been the pulse of this United team for quite a few seasons. He is their silent warrior who works behind the scenes and aids his team’s cause. Some liken him to Sergio Busquests, but undeniably, the Englishman is the one who keeps this team ticking over time and again.
United’s lack of midfield depth is clearly exposed when Carrick has an off day. The 33-year-old was not into his elements tonight as he and United, both struggled big time. Carrick was a bit sluggish and was not using his vision to the optimum as he slowed many moves.
Carrick was always longing for a partner in midfield but didn’t find any and thus he drifted in between the two centre-halves. But still, he was some way off from his usual sharpness. His sloppiness made the entire team sloppy which was very much evident from tonight’s game.
It seems evident that, United is over-relying on Michael Carrick to provide the stability in midfield. He does his job admirably more often than not, but it wouldn’t harm United to have a substitute to Carrick. This will give him a much-needed breather as he ain’t getting no younger nowadays.
