Down And Out

Out of the Champions League. After a glorious run of 9 consecutive years of going through the group stages and into the final 16, United have failed to make it 10 this year. The lost against Benfica at the Stadium of Light not just booted United out of the European Cup but also doomed United to the bottom of the league. Not even a UEFA cup place which were vacated by Lille, although the have the same points, who have a better head to head record than United. A nightmare end to United European challenge this year. Making it worst, all English team, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Glasgow Rangers…yes…Rangers of the Scottish League who are now, if I am not mistaken 5th in their domestic league are through.

I stayed up to watch that match. I just don’t want to miss a chance to see the boys destroy Benfica just like Best did in the 1966 quarter final and also the 1968 final. 6 minutes gone, Scholes scored although he looks uncertain and surprised when he bundled in the newly appointed Captain Neville cross. We are at that point through and it looks like it was gonna be a rout and Best memories of those two nights when he announced his emergence as a new football hero and legend. But 10 minutes after that dream start, a header from Giovanni just dash those memories away and Beto’s deflected shot in the 34th minutes just destroyed the hearts of everyone associated with United. As a fan, a sense of anxiety and frustration was creeping inside of me when the time was ticking away closer to the end of the match. I was hoping for a miracle from Rooney, Ronaldo, Ruud and honestly even from Richardson when he came in as a late substitute. Anyone at all. Villareal did us a favour by winning the other match. We just need one goal and whoever scored that goal would have been elevated to “OLE” status. But that elusive and all important goal just wouldn’t come. I bet Ruud would trade 10 of his European goals for one that night. Rooney wouldn’t mind giving up his magnificent hatrick debut against Fenerbache for that one goal. Benfica’s time wasting tactics were horrible with their players just falling down at will, theatrically, with any contact or a dash of a wind from any United players. Frustration and anxiety surrounded the players can be felt by me as a fan. Nothing was working not even with almost 80% of the possession of the ball in the 2nd half. And to make it worst, not even a decent shot on goal except for that Ronaldo half pass half shot moment, when honestly he should have squared it to Scholes to tap in.

When the referee blew the whistle to end the match, United players’ head dropped, hands on their hips and some looking at the sky, maybe to ask forgiveness from Best for the way they played and end their European journey this season. Scoring only 3 goals in 6 matches and 4 matches without a goal. That’s how United performed in this year Champions League against Villareal and Lille who are debutants and also Benfinca. When the draw were made back in August, it looked like United were gonna strolled through the group stage and relishing another successful assault on the big prize. None of the teams in the group have the European pedigree and experience like United, well, other than Benfica back in the 60’s when Eusibio reign proud. Come December, Villareal topped the group and United looking from the bottom of group and wondering what went wrong.

Out of the Champions League meaning an estimated income of 15 million are gone. Fergie’s future as the gaffer is in doubts and there are speculations that he will not be the one running the show in the new season. Less money are in the kitty bag to buy new and big name player needed to boost the team in the January transfer market and also the lure of European matches are not there anymore to attract players especially with the World Cup is just around the corner. The fall of once a great club will be hoarding the papers all around the world. Those are just some of the consequences of missing the boat and going out a little too early for a team like United.

A quick fix is needed for the current United team. Fergie have come out and said United don’t need Ballack because they have to concentrate on certain areas of the field that need strengthening. But where in particular do we need streghtening when Chelsea have two for each position in their team.

The defenses honestly in my view need someone more assured than Silvestre and Ferdinand need to discover his form. Gerard Pique who is waiting for his chance to break into the first team is great for the future but again, he need more playing time and experience to make his mark. Maybe this highly rated center back should be given a chance now rather than later because Silvestre is not really performing now.

In the midfield, although Smith is getting better with his role as the midfield engine and the all action man, he does not have the charisma and edge like Keano. Keano was born for that role, Smith have to learn it. We may not find another Keano (closest to a Keano was Chelsea’s Essien) but we do need someone to control and deliver in that midfield. Scholes and Giggs had been loyal and great players, but we do need buffing up in that department to challenge Chelsea in the league and also to be competitive in the European game. Ronaldo, Fletcher, Park, Richardson are for the future but again, they just lack experience. We need someone who can lead and gel the young players together. Ronaldo sometimes overdo his trick and he ending up confusing himself or even his teammates. Maybe with maturity, his vision and overall view of the game will change and for United sake, I hope he mature soon.

I don’t see any problems in the attacking department. We have Ruud, Rooney who is only 20, Saha who is coming back after a terrible start to his United career and also Rossi, the young Italian who promise a lot in the future. The lack of goals going in is more to the service provided to them were non-existence.

The most important thing that needed beefing up is the temperament of the squad as a whole. The ability to chase the game and also to close out the opponent. For the past two season, United lost that edge and that ablity to just push up and change their gear when needed. The game against Portsmouth is the only game so far this season that United won with more than a goal advantage. Maybe Fergie have mellowed down with age but senior players in the squad like Giggsy, Scholesy and Neville should take that responsibility on the field and push the team young team. United of the past would not hang their head and give up the game even when there are 3-0 down. Remember the Spurs game, when we were down 3-0 at the Lane after the first half and came out top with a 5-3 win? That was the game that symbolize United. The determination to win and not giving up until the last minute is our game. Remember that 2 amazing goal in the 3 minute injury time during the final of the 99 European cup? Can this new generation of United players give us the same belief that the United team of the past gave us?

Sad it may be, United fans are not looking for any European games for the first time after 9 years after Christmas. United are still in the domestic cups and also still challenging for the league. The only good thing we can find from losing out on the European nights are we can actually concentrate on wrestling the premier league from Chelsea. More rest time and also more focus. I just hope and pray and I know, United will rise from the season which seem like everything just doesn’t seem to go our way. From one lost to one tragedy to one controversy but one thing I am sure, true United fan will always be behind the club and will always support United.