It was in the month of March when Manchester United’s dreams of recording an immaculate treble came crashing down, when they lost to Madrid and then surrendered a lead against Chelsea in the FA Cup.
April did not bring good luck either, and on the first day of the month United crashed out of yet another competition when Demba Ba scored the only goal of the game in the FA Cup replay match.
Manchester United remain the only club in the history of English football to have achieved the most highly regarded treble of League title, European champions and FA Cup back in 1999. Ferguson himself was very confident of a repeat of the antics in 1999 and claimed that his current crop have the same vigour, the treble winners did.
"And we've got the squad to do it. If you go back to the year we won the treble we got a replay against Chelsea and won there 2-0. We got a replay against Arsenal. The FA Cup's the FA Cup. You expect the unexpected, but you also want to win it because its a great competition." said the Scot
Unfortunately for Ferguson and his men, things did not phase out like they would have wanted them to. It was the second leg against Madrid played at the Old Trafford that really turned around United’s fortunes.
Man United who had been leading through a Sergio Ramos own goal were cruising towards a victory, the United defence had been resilient all night and a victory was written on the cards.
However it was the 56th minute red card to Luis Nani, that struck a huge blow to United’s progression in the competition. Following the controversial decision, the Red Devils failed to assert the same dominance, and Madrid scored twice in quick succession to advance to the next round, leaving United’s treble dreams shattered.
Since then Man United have been a shadow of the side they have been all season. This was evident through their uncharacteristic display against Chelsea five days later in a FA Cup tie. United stormed into the match scoring two early goals, as Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney struck in the opening eleven minutes.
United seemed to look like a rejuvenated side, and were determined to prove a point after their controversial dismissal from Europe. However Chelsea responded in the second half and goals from Eden Hazard and Ramires set the stage for a FA Cup replay.
At Stamford Bridge, Ferguson’s men continued their unimpressive form. The reliable Michael Carrick who had been consistently doing well all season long, repeatedly gifted possession away whereas defender Rio Ferdinand was caught napping as Demba Ba struck the winner.
United’s poor showing can be exemplified on their 24 million pounds summer capture Robin Van Persie. The former Arsenal captain had been in exhilarating form at the beginning of the season, and virtually earned points through his own brilliance for the team.
With the United defence leaking goals and star players such as Wayne Rooney who were not at the top of their game, Van Persie single handily guided United to the top of the table. His decline in form has very evidently affected United’s performance and shows how much the Red Devils depended on their star forward. The striker is currently on an abysmal run and has scored only once in his last 12 appearances.
With Persie’s decline in form United’s weaknesses have been thoroughly exposed. For starters they certainly do not have the midfield which can stand up against the biggest names in Europe. Michael Carrick is United’s only reliable central midfielder, with Tom Cleverly still learning his trade, Anderson too injury prone and Paul Scholes well past the twilight of his career. Ferguson has in the past been rather obstinate and has refused to address the weakness in his side by signing an established central midfielder.
Further to issues in the middle of the park, United's men on the flanks have been equally disappointing. Nani, Valecnia and Ashley Young have combined produced only two goals in all competitions this season which shows United's plight as far as wingers are concerned.
The uncertainty surrounding the future of United heart beat Wayne Rooney also seems to have greatly affected the side. The star forward has been repeatedly benched by Sir Alex Ferguson, most notably in the important second leg tie against Real Madrid. Reports have been emerging of a feud between the Scot and his disciple, and after almost a decade at the club Wayne Rooney is likely to face an Old Trafford exit.
In their last six matches, United have managed to win only twice, these were very uninspiring wins over relegation favourites Reading and Sunderland.
United have recently failed to show the mental strength they are so famously known for and even though they are firm favourites to win the Premier League title with a 12 point lead over City, they might not be able to do it in a fashion they would have hoped for.
Manchester United remain the only club in the history of English football to have achieved the most highly regarded treble of League title, European champions and FA Cup back in 1999. Ferguson himself was very confident of a repeat of the antics in 1999 and claimed that his current crop have the same vigour, the treble winners did.
"And we've got the squad to do it. If you go back to the year we won the treble we got a replay against Chelsea and won there 2-0. We got a replay against Arsenal. The FA Cup's the FA Cup. You expect the unexpected, but you also want to win it because its a great competition." said the Scot
Unfortunately for Ferguson and his men, things did not phase out like they would have wanted them to. It was the second leg against Madrid played at the Old Trafford that really turned around United’s fortunes.
Man United who had been leading through a Sergio Ramos own goal were cruising towards a victory, the United defence had been resilient all night and a victory was written on the cards.
However it was the 56th minute red card to Luis Nani, that struck a huge blow to United’s progression in the competition. Following the controversial decision, the Red Devils failed to assert the same dominance, and Madrid scored twice in quick succession to advance to the next round, leaving United’s treble dreams shattered.
Since then Man United have been a shadow of the side they have been all season. This was evident through their uncharacteristic display against Chelsea five days later in a FA Cup tie. United stormed into the match scoring two early goals, as Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney struck in the opening eleven minutes.
United seemed to look like a rejuvenated side, and were determined to prove a point after their controversial dismissal from Europe. However Chelsea responded in the second half and goals from Eden Hazard and Ramires set the stage for a FA Cup replay.
At Stamford Bridge, Ferguson’s men continued their unimpressive form. The reliable Michael Carrick who had been consistently doing well all season long, repeatedly gifted possession away whereas defender Rio Ferdinand was caught napping as Demba Ba struck the winner.
United’s poor showing can be exemplified on their 24 million pounds summer capture Robin Van Persie. The former Arsenal captain had been in exhilarating form at the beginning of the season, and virtually earned points through his own brilliance for the team.
With the United defence leaking goals and star players such as Wayne Rooney who were not at the top of their game, Van Persie single handily guided United to the top of the table. His decline in form has very evidently affected United’s performance and shows how much the Red Devils depended on their star forward. The striker is currently on an abysmal run and has scored only once in his last 12 appearances.
With Persie’s decline in form United’s weaknesses have been thoroughly exposed. For starters they certainly do not have the midfield which can stand up against the biggest names in Europe. Michael Carrick is United’s only reliable central midfielder, with Tom Cleverly still learning his trade, Anderson too injury prone and Paul Scholes well past the twilight of his career. Ferguson has in the past been rather obstinate and has refused to address the weakness in his side by signing an established central midfielder.
Further to issues in the middle of the park, United's men on the flanks have been equally disappointing. Nani, Valecnia and Ashley Young have combined produced only two goals in all competitions this season which shows United's plight as far as wingers are concerned.
The uncertainty surrounding the future of United heart beat Wayne Rooney also seems to have greatly affected the side. The star forward has been repeatedly benched by Sir Alex Ferguson, most notably in the important second leg tie against Real Madrid. Reports have been emerging of a feud between the Scot and his disciple, and after almost a decade at the club Wayne Rooney is likely to face an Old Trafford exit.
In their last six matches, United have managed to win only twice, these were very uninspiring wins over relegation favourites Reading and Sunderland.
United have recently failed to show the mental strength they are so famously known for and even though they are firm favourites to win the Premier League title with a 12 point lead over City, they might not be able to do it in a fashion they would have hoped for.
