They're nervous. They're complacent. They're afraid of missing out on 4 trophies. They're tired. There is a "Ronaldo disease" spreading throughout the club.
These are just some of the reasons the RTE panel gave for Man Utd's latest poor display, perhaps they're worst yet. Dunphy wonders what has happened to the United of two months ago, and it seems most people are incredibly surprised at the state "The Untouchables" find themselves in. I have to say, I think the RTE panel and most others are asking the wrong question. What I want to know is how this pretty average group of players (there are exceptions of course) managed to go "untochable" for so long. The mystery to this United team is not how they are now suddenly fallible; it's how they were ever infallible.
Last night's squad was virtually at full strength. Yes they were missing Berbatov, but can anyone say he has made any difference in big games this season? To point to his absence as crucial is the equivalent of missing your ex-girlfriend even though you dumped her because she was too lazy and didn't work hard enough...or something. Ferdinand was also out, but he has been out before and United have done alright. And yet despite a near full strength squad, this United team looked absolutely bereft of attacking threat. The highlights of their chances said as much. Rooney was game, but then he is always game. Apart from him however, there was no one who troubled Porto. Surely this must be of worry to United fans.
In my eyes, the simple fact is that about half of United's players aren't good enough to play for one of the best clubs in the world. Forget about nerves or complacency. The root of the problem is not attitude; it's ability. Compare Fletcher and Carrick to Xavi and Iniesta. Chalk and cheese, my friend. Chalk and cheese. That's not to say United wouldn't have a hope against Barcelona, but it is to say that Barcelona would completely dominate the midfield. When this Man Utd team face opposition who can keep the ball (something they generally don't face in the Premier League) they're limited ability begins to show itself.
All is not lost of course. A win in Porto is distinctly possible, and I'd still fancy them to go through. The defense is certainly nowhere near as fragile as it has looked recently, so an improvement on that front will steady the ship. Still, the best squad ever? No chance. That they're still on course to win a sackful of trophies is perhaps the most surprising thing to happen in football in the last few seasons. They may still do it, but if I were a gamlin' man I would be backing someone from the other side of the draw to win the Champions League.
These are just some of the reasons the RTE panel gave for Man Utd's latest poor display, perhaps they're worst yet. Dunphy wonders what has happened to the United of two months ago, and it seems most people are incredibly surprised at the state "The Untouchables" find themselves in. I have to say, I think the RTE panel and most others are asking the wrong question. What I want to know is how this pretty average group of players (there are exceptions of course) managed to go "untochable" for so long. The mystery to this United team is not how they are now suddenly fallible; it's how they were ever infallible.
Last night's squad was virtually at full strength. Yes they were missing Berbatov, but can anyone say he has made any difference in big games this season? To point to his absence as crucial is the equivalent of missing your ex-girlfriend even though you dumped her because she was too lazy and didn't work hard enough...or something. Ferdinand was also out, but he has been out before and United have done alright. And yet despite a near full strength squad, this United team looked absolutely bereft of attacking threat. The highlights of their chances said as much. Rooney was game, but then he is always game. Apart from him however, there was no one who troubled Porto. Surely this must be of worry to United fans.
In my eyes, the simple fact is that about half of United's players aren't good enough to play for one of the best clubs in the world. Forget about nerves or complacency. The root of the problem is not attitude; it's ability. Compare Fletcher and Carrick to Xavi and Iniesta. Chalk and cheese, my friend. Chalk and cheese. That's not to say United wouldn't have a hope against Barcelona, but it is to say that Barcelona would completely dominate the midfield. When this Man Utd team face opposition who can keep the ball (something they generally don't face in the Premier League) they're limited ability begins to show itself.
All is not lost of course. A win in Porto is distinctly possible, and I'd still fancy them to go through. The defense is certainly nowhere near as fragile as it has looked recently, so an improvement on that front will steady the ship. Still, the best squad ever? No chance. That they're still on course to win a sackful of trophies is perhaps the most surprising thing to happen in football in the last few seasons. They may still do it, but if I were a gamlin' man I would be backing someone from the other side of the draw to win the Champions League.
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