I watched Manchester United against Burnley a few hours ago and I have to say that United are just not the same team without Cristiano Ronaldo (and Tevez). I know there is a school of thought that United usually start the season slow but I think there is a deeper problem, this time they might never take off. I would stick my neck out and say that this wouldn't be the last game they would lose against smaller teams in the league this season. There is just not enough quality offensively to be able to compensate for the loss of those two player. Wayne Rooney has been trying to do it all on his own but he is just not capable of single-handedly carrying a team.
In the last 3-4 years, Alex Ferguson built his team based on the individual brilliance of his forwards and their ability to run at opponents and take them out on counter attack. Ronaldo was a key component in this system, he could play on the left hand side, right hand side or centrally in the attack. He had speed, strength, power, athleticism, ball control, balance and he had uncanny ability to score goals with his head and both of his feet. Although the other players contributed their fair share of goal scored, Ronaldo was still like a one man wrecking crew and he scored loads of goals against the smaller teams in the league. He scored 91 goals in the last 3 seasons, Alex Ferguson hasn't done enough to replace his production but he has also not replaced his skill set. I noticed United are now trying to play a more passing game rather than the running game that was very successful the last 3 seasons.
I think it would be unfair to talk about yesterdays game without giving some credit to Burnley. I was very impressed when I watched them beat a young Arsenal team in the Carling cup last season. They also beat Fulham and Chelsea in the competition and gave good account of themselves against Tottenham. They are a very positive team that likes to pass the ball around and play possession football. They didn't just defend against United yesterday, they attacked when they had the ball and caused United all sorts of problems. However there were things they could do against United yesterday that they probably wouldn't have tried a year ago. They kept a high line and pushed forward several times during the game but United didn't have the pace to punish them. United are just not the same team without Ronaldo and if Ferguson doesn't sign a replacement for Ronaldo, I cant see United being a front runner for the league this season.
In the last 3-4 years, Alex Ferguson built his team based on the individual brilliance of his forwards and their ability to run at opponents and take them out on counter attack. Ronaldo was a key component in this system, he could play on the left hand side, right hand side or centrally in the attack. He had speed, strength, power, athleticism, ball control, balance and he had uncanny ability to score goals with his head and both of his feet. Although the other players contributed their fair share of goal scored, Ronaldo was still like a one man wrecking crew and he scored loads of goals against the smaller teams in the league. He scored 91 goals in the last 3 seasons, Alex Ferguson hasn't done enough to replace his production but he has also not replaced his skill set. I noticed United are now trying to play a more passing game rather than the running game that was very successful the last 3 seasons.
I think it would be unfair to talk about yesterdays game without giving some credit to Burnley. I was very impressed when I watched them beat a young Arsenal team in the Carling cup last season. They also beat Fulham and Chelsea in the competition and gave good account of themselves against Tottenham. They are a very positive team that likes to pass the ball around and play possession football. They didn't just defend against United yesterday, they attacked when they had the ball and caused United all sorts of problems. However there were things they could do against United yesterday that they probably wouldn't have tried a year ago. They kept a high line and pushed forward several times during the game but United didn't have the pace to punish them. United are just not the same team without Ronaldo and if Ferguson doesn't sign a replacement for Ronaldo, I cant see United being a front runner for the league this season.
Agreed.. to many over rated players there now without that good talent that knit them together..
ReplyDeleteBerbatov for 35 mil.. i am having a laugh and to think Berbatov is supposedly considered better than RvP by some.. the sheer amount of effort going in itself tells us about the gap..
Yogesh
Berbatov is fast turning out to be a disaster comparable to Veron.
ReplyDeleteIts a bit early to say these things but how in the name of all thats holy do you replace a player like that at his peak. When we lost Henry he was going downhill. This guy being missing could end up devastating.
ReplyDeleteSantry_Gooner