Monday, May 25, 2015

"Review on Manchester United performance V/S Hull City, 0-0, 24 May 2015”

United XI: Valdes, Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Rojo, Blind, Mata, Ander Herrera, Di Maria, Young, Rooney. Subs: Januzaj, Lindegaard, van Persie, Fellaini, McNair, Blackett, Wilson.

Hull City XI: Harper, Chester, Dawson, McShane, Elmohamady, Meyler, Huddlestone, Quinn, Brady, N’Doye, Jelavic. Subs: McGregor, Rosenior, Bruce, Hernandez, Sagbo, Aluko, Robertson.

Really! A terrible performance from United again! Obviously, United has already qualified for the Champions league next season by virtue of winning the 4th position in the final table points standing. But Manchester United is neither about just securing a spot in Champions league nor playing as a second fiddle team in Premier league. No doubt, the club has achieved its target for the current season concluded today. In my opinion, Manchester United 2014-15 season is like a big budget Hollywood movie securing a lukewarm success in the box office (Say for example: 175 millions pound box office collection against 150 millions pound movie budget).

The team performance throughout the season suggest the club needs to revamp summer spending efficiently. The club also needs to improve the scouting program because not a single players from the academy have make an instant impact in a game and helping the team win when needed. I believed McNair seems to be the only promising player from the academy who has grabbed the opportunity provided.

And today, the last match of the season, the performance from the players was like a painful stab on your back after supporting throughout the season ups and downs. And literally, it was like watching your favorite team playing like a relegated team with no desire to win at any cost and rather than a team with potential to fight for the title next season. The final scoreline of 0-0 even make it worse, and I thought the fans really deserve a win with style and swagger so the message "Manchester United will be back in the title race next season" can be conveyed to rival teams. While it is pity Hull City was relegated despite their players trying their best to win the match.



Victor Valdes starts in the match for the first time as United goalkeeper with Angel Di Maria and Rooney also in the starting line-up. The first half from United was an utter disappointment backed by the mistimed passes, miscued, unconfident style of play, and nervy defending. Believe it or not! There was no single shot on target as well as any clear chances created until the cross coming from Ashley Young in the 44th minutes which was missed by Herrera. Although Rooney attempt from outside the box in the 3rd minute unfortunately clips the bar. Adding to the misery of United 1st half, Angel Di Maria was injured and replaced by Adnan Januzaj in the 22nd minutes.



I actually thought 'what a howler from Valdes in the 18 minutes.' Thank God! The linemen raised up the flag for Offside position. But what a great save from him in the 19th minutes of Hull City's Elmohamady powerful header. Although Valdes hasn't played first team football for the past 14 months, the brilliant save from him proved he is still a good goalkeeper. Even if David De Gea signs for Real Madrid in the upcoming summer window, Victor Valdes can easily fill up the No.1 goalkeeper spot. Also, in the 74th minutes of the game, he produced another brilliant save which should've been a goal for Hull City. Valdes only needs to improve with his decision in handling cross and corner as he is now playing in Premier league.

Defending is the still a weak spot for United and it was quiet awful throughout the entire 90 minutes of the game. Smalling and Jones partnership in defense doesn't offer much except both of them will force you to bite your fingers nail. Although the match final scoreline is 0-0, they still need to up their style of defending. Valencia is a player who always perform in every match in the meter of 6 out 10 as right-back. His counter-part Marcos Rojo performance from the left-back position was good but not solid good enough. In the midfield area, it seems Blind is not yet ready to play in the role of Michael Carrick although he is still a good midfield player. Although the combination of Mata and Herrera is fine but the defensive skills of Mata is quiet awful and it was evident from his performance today.


Anyway, Mata was replaced by James Wilson in the 72nd minutes. Ashley Young also had a quiet day but his consistency throughout the season is commendable and he was replaced by Fellaini in the 58th minutes. Unfortunately, a direct red card for Fellaini in the 77th minutes was an absolute blow for United when Hull City was pressing hard to score.



Adnan Januzaj is the reason why United needs to improve the scouting program. I still don't get it why he is revered as promising and very talented player coming through the academy. No hard feeling but for the entire season, he hasn't produced any mind-blowing individual match winning performance despite the opportunity provided to him. United always give chance to youth and it will never change as it is United tradition. However, the club needs to improve its scouting program so the right youth players can be developed and showcased his talent when the opportunity is provided.

Well, I'm rating the team performance two out of five. As the current season is over today, please visit the site: http://www.manutd.com/en/Tour2015 to find our more information of the upcoming Manchester United summer tour to United States of America.

Thank you. Have a good night!

Images courtesy: http://www.manutd.com/

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