The properly depressing part of week 35

While writing this, United have just collected a single point from games against Chelsea at home and Liverpool away, despite the Cockney blues and Scouser reds barely have made a shot on target over 180 minutes combined. In my opinion this speaks volumes of United's attack, particularly in the established attack phase of the game.

by @Nicopoleides

The line up-against Chelsea:

                           De Gea
Jones           Ferdinand   Vidic      Evra
                   Carrick        Cleverley
Valencia              Rooney           Welbeck
                         Van Persie


The line-up against Liverpool:

                           De Gea
Jones           Ferdinand   Vidic      Evra
                   Carrick        Cleverley
Giggs                     Welbeck         Young
                             Van Persie


As everyone has noticed, both Liverpool and Chelsea parked the bus and hoped to exploit counter-attacks and set-pieces. Yet United have barely been able to create a clear-cut chance over two games, which worries me. After all it's not that different to play Liverpool/Chelsea or e. g. West Ham/Norwich/etc when all they do is defending anyway. And United are currently suffering a lack of ability to attack an in-balance defending side as a lack of x-factor.

If you look at the players individually, they're like employees of Mancunian cotton factories in the early 1800s: They work hard all day long, but won't actually contribute with rocket science or invent Microsoft. Van Persie is probably a fair exception, but he has appeared without enough support and suffered depression from loneliness up-front. One can always wonder why Kagawa hasn't been involved in any of the mentioned game, but regardless of his presence/absence, United are offering too little flair in the attacking department with line-ups like these. Which is why I'd like to see both Kagawa and Nani on a weekly basis, as their presences are more goal-threatening, particularly when being played in the right positions.

In other words, I think we - or more specifically David Moyes - should include more flair in the side, even if it's on the cost of slightly less defensive effort to avoid such clear-cut chance drought in the future.

Additionally, the likes of Young, Valencia, Welbeck, Cleverley and the out-of-form Giggs shouldn't be involved in the top games, particularly not in the starting line-up. Creating chances in the tightest games requires the sharpest cutting edge and the most venomous poision, which the mentioned players don't possess. They'll do it as fringe players, but such an amount of players without an eye for goals or killer passes is linked closely with lack of goals, which we have witnessed. And us having to (or choosing to) play such a bunch of average players makes me more depressed than only clinching a single
point in two games.

Moyes' boys making opening noise?

David Moyes carries a reputation of being a slow starter, and question marks have been put next to Everton's pre-season preparations, but is there any reason to worry? The Brigade has taken a closer look at the numbers of the past six campaigns.

by @Nicopoleides

The 2013 Transfer List

As the 2012/13 campaign is history, the transfer window is looming large in the horizon. Clubs and managers will make various attempts to sign the bargain of the (next) season, and players leaving on a free transfer will be a wealthy way to add personnel to a squad. Here is an overview over players whose contracts end on 30.06.2013, making them available to sign without tranfer fees. The source is Transfermarkt.co.uk and clubs spending this summer in the elevator are omitted.

by @Nicopoleides
 

Close-up: Adnan Januzaj

- I came here to do something and focus on my football, was Adnan Januzaj's statement to Adam Marshall in the last-month interview on ManUtd.com. And the 18-year-old Belgian of Kosovarian descent has certainly kept his mind on the right track, progression beyond Paul McGuinnes' U18 side and turning into a key player Warren Joyce' U21s this season. Here is a closer look at the United starlet who arrived from Anderlecht back in 2011.


 

by @Nicopoleides

Moyes to send Rooney statement?

In his final speech of his Man United tenure, Sir Alex Ferguson stated the importance of supporting David Moyes, even if the results aren't going in the right direction in the beginning of the new era looming large at Old Trafford. And want-out Wayne Rooney may be Moyes' first significant opportunity to convince the fans that he has got the courage and believe in himself that he's the right man to fill Mr. Ferguson's shoes. 

by @Nicopoleides

Why I rate Ronnie way above Roo

Last week it was confirmed that Man United's superstar, regular centre forward and commercial icon number one, Wayne Rooney, has handed in his second transfer of his Manchester United tenure. Some fans still claim he's greater than Ronaldo, because he remains and Ronnie left, but nonetheless this is, from my experience, a subject who divides fans of the recently crowned champions of English football. Personally I think this comparison of which one who's reached the highest legendary level goes in favour of the gifted Portuguese, and by a country mile margin. Here are four reasons why I rate the Madeira born superstar way higher than England's (former?) wonderboy.

by @Nicopoleides

Kagawa in Luka Modric's footprints?

Shinji Kagawa was one of the best performers in the Bundesliga season of 2011/12, but the humble Japanese has not exactly found - or Sir Alex Ferguson hasn't found - how to utilitise him optimally at Manchester United after the summer transfer. He's mostly played wide left, but is there another option than Wayne Rooney's trequartista role?

by @Nicopoleides

Nani the sinking showboat?

Luis Carlos Almeida da Cunha, 26, has been rumored for a move away from Manchester United, after five and a half years of various fortune at Old Trafford. Would January 2013 be the right time to leave? Is he world-class? Will he ever fulfill his potential - and how could that possibly be done? Does he deserve £120.000 a week? The Brigade has taken a closer look on the Portuguese international's career after moving to the British Isles.

Right to leave Nani out for Young?

In the summer of 2007 United signed two young and talented Portuguese players. One of them, Anderson, is still on the brink of making it as a regular for Man United, but his countryman Nani is seemingly frozen out at Old Trafford.

By @Nicopoleides

Old enough if good enough?

There are only a pocketful of hours since Juventus lost 1-0 at San Siro for Milan after a Robinho penalty kick after 30 minutes played. The Old Lady had more possession than the home side, and pushed on in the entire second half for an equaliser, but failed to find the way to the back of the net. However, still when 1-0 down in a difficult game on the road, Antonio Conte subbed on a familiar bloke, Paul Pogba, in an attempt to turn the game around.

By @Nicopoleides

Robbin' Van Persie?

As Arsenal's star man has handed has put in a transfer request at Arsenal and Sir Alex Ferguson has shown interest for the Dutch striker, there is time for a pro and con list regarding an eventual signing as fans - as usual - are split in terms of opinions. Let's start with the reasons to sign him:

by @Nicopoleides

On Fergie's mind

Sir Alex has done an incredible lot for Manchester United, but right now there are some issues and Fergie doesn't seem to have a plan - or does he? No matter what, I'd be beyond grateful if he can sort out the following challenges, which are essential to remain one of the top sides in the English top-flight and maybe even conquer Europe again.

by @Nicopoleides

Guardiola not the successor

 

 

One day Sir Alex Ferguson will no longer be the manager of Manchester United, and from time to time I'm wondering and considering who I think should become his successor. Josep "Pep" Guardiola has achieved the extraordinary with Barcelona, and is mentioned every once in a while when the issue is brought up among fans and/or in the media. An explanation of why I doubt him is to follow.

by Nicopoleides

Summer Status - Player by Player

After the disappointing final twist of the 2011/12 campaign, which made the English top-flight title race split the two top sides on goal difference for the first time since 1989, there is time to look forward for the upcoming campaign. Sir Alex Ferguson's squad is obviously aiming for the same target as last year - becoming the first English club to win 20 league titles. The Prawn Sandwich Brigade will have a closer look at the players who hopefully will be able to carry on and contribute in the hunt, both focusing on a 2011/12 summary and predicitions, expectations and potential outcome of the following season.

What we learnt at Craven Cottage

Manchester United were on a three-game streak without victory in the Lillywhite part of western London, featuring a line-up without essential key players like De Gea, Vidic, Ferdinand, Cleverley, and Chicharito among others, but still battered a rather tame Fulham side to pieces, ending in a 5-0 scoreline. Here are what we learnt after one of this season's highlight matches:


by @Nicopoleides