No more Champions League glory hopes
Already, their hunt for UEFA Champions League glory is dead. The Red Devils’ new generation of players couldn’t survive the existing pressure in the group phase of the tournament. Dropping points to Portuguese giants Benfica in the process seemed understandable, but losing to FC Basel in the Round of 16 decider was something too alarming to believe.
This defeat relegated Fergie’s team to the UEFA Europa League and provoked jeers among the Red Devils’ army of haters. But in typical fashion, battered Manchester United fans vowed to cheer their lads all the way to Europa League glory.
For them, this second-tier competition has now become important but they may have to review their priority list considering Alex Ferguson’s judgment of Manchester United’s continental fate. Quickly after the Red Devils’ exit from the Champions League at the expense of FC Basel, Fergie publicly avowed his lack of respect for UEFA Europa League football.
The Old Scott declared that “It does mean one thing. Thursdays all the way through. Thursday and Sundays. That’s got to be dealt with. It’s not the best, but that’s our penalty for not qualifying tonight.”
Many will agree that lack of interest in a project precedes failure while the combination of passion, faith and skill or luck is the recipe to success. Which of these two different things do Manchester United have most towards the 2011/12 UEFA Europa League competition?
We are yet to know how the 2008 UEFA Champions League winners will perform in Europe’s second-tier tournament. However, one bit of disinterest could cost them much. Manchester United will have to play Dutch giants Ajax in the Round of 16 and their high pedigree may not mean anything during the two-legged contest.
The likes of Manchester City, Newcastle United and even Blackburn Rovers have proven that Ferguson’s young players have a lot to learn and achieve before bragging about past glories. There are many strong teams left in the UEFA Europa League that could punish Alex Ferguson for disregarding the brilliance of the competition.
No more Carling Cup hopes.jpg)
Now, Carling Cup success appears to some as a consolation for missing out on bigger trophies in a season. However, for 2009 League Cup champions Manchester United, the possibility of lifting this year’s trophy doesn’t exist anymore. In fact, it died, surprisingly, at Old Trafford.
The Theatre of Dreams turned into a nightmare for the hosts on November 30 as minnows Crystal Palace clinched a historical 2-1 extra time victory. Macheda equalized Ambrose’s 65th minute opener but Murray had the final word in the 98th minute. Consequently, Manchester United are nowhere to be found in the picture of the Carling Cup’s semi-final stage.
Inconsistency in the English Premier League
Talking about more recent matters, the reality is that the Red Devils are showing inconsistency in the English Premier League. The caliber of the team’s current generation of players ought to be questioned. After suffering humiliation in the hands of local rivals Manchester City, Manchester United vowed to bounce back on the long term.
“I’m shattered, I can’t believe it. It was an incredible disappointment, but we will react, no question about that,” Alex Ferguson boldly declared according to The Telegraph.
“It’s a perfect result for us to react to because there is a lot of embarrassment in the dressing room — and quite rightly so — and that will make an impact. You have to recover. The history of Manchester United is ‘another day’ and we will recover.”
Manchester United indeed bounced back from that horrendous 6-1 loss with a 1-0 victory away to Everton. They bagged up more points against Swansea and Sunderland but Newcastle United halted their comeback mission through a controversial 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
Applying more misery on the Red Devils, the Magpies concluded their Premier League meetings with Manchester United with a stunning 3-0 victory on Wednesday night. Demba Ba and Cabaye both displayed a terrific performance and clinched a goal while Phil Jones completed the visitors’ misery with a late own goal.
This defeat, which follows the 3-2 upset at home to relegation-threatened Blackburn Rovers, put Manchester United three points behind leaders Manchester City at the end of Matchday 20.
“Of course it's advantage Manchester City. We don't normally lose two on the bounce,” Ferguson admitted in the post-match interview.
Even the presence of Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Nani couldn’t turn Manchester United’s misfortune around. Where, then, could the club’s younger players find refuge and strength to bounce back?
Some have already pointed their finger at Rio Ferdinand and Phil Jones as the cause of the Red Devils problems this season. Others believe that the time has come for the ageing Alex Ferguson to quit coaching. While many things are being said in forums among concerned football fans, the season continues.
Third-placed Tottenham Hotspur haven’t played their twentieth Premier League game yet. Next Wednesday, Spurs will be at home to Everton. A win for the hosts will put them level on points with Manchester United. Pressure is boiling at the top of the standings as the Red Devils have to solve the error within the team that has caused huge setbacks this season.
The FA Cup test
The FA Cup trophy is something Fergie hasn’t won since 2004. The urge to finally clinch it has become stronger this year, but the hurdles to overcome are also higher. Manchester United’s FA Cup mission commences with a thrilling battle against England’s team of the moment, Manchester City.
How well will the Red Devils use this opportunity to mentally recover? How far will they go in the FA Cup?
