It’s been a tumultuous few days for Manchester United, after exiting the FA Cup at the weekend in rather tepid fashion at the hands of Chelsea. I was going to write a separate post about the match, but I figured since United took the match off from playing I could take a match off from writing. It truly was a dismal performance, which was down to a combination of fatigue, injuries, a forced change in tactics, and a poor team mentality. Ultimately, after I calmed down a little bit, I realized that an FA Cup exit was worth it if it meant securing the top tier of European football next season.
I’ve discussed the importance of the Champions League before, but I think it bears explaining again. Not only is it the highest level of football in terms of level of skill, it is also very lucrative. Teams can expect an extra £20 million in revenue from the extra televised matches, and in United’s case it would mean saving an additional £22 million in rebates to Adidas, our kit maker. That £42 million could really come in handy next season for signing new players or much-needed upgrades to Old Trafford.
Thanks to Tottenham Hotspur beating Leicester last week, United were level on points with Leicester City and only a point behind Chelsea in the race for the top-4. A win would put United in strong position to secure a place in the top-4, while a draw would also be helpful but less so. The only thing that would be disastrous is a loss. The opposition today was an East London club called West Ham United, sometimes shortened to just West Ham or the Hammers. They came into the match on the lower end of the table, but knew that a draw and the resulting point would mean that they are mathematically safe from relegation this season. Their main striker Michail Antonio has been in sensational form since the restart, scoring the most goals out of anyone in the Premier League. With solid midfielders like Declan Rice, Mark Noble, and Tomas Soucek, it’s a wonder that West Ham aren’t doing better than they are.
In contrast to recent matches, United looked very sharp in the first five minutes. Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes both went close to giving the Red Devils an early lead. West Ham settled in more though and grew into the game as the half wore on. United looked slow in possession and gave away the ball far too easily on many occasions – a trend that would continue throughout the match.
West Ham worryingly got the opening goal via the penalty spot from Antonio, who sent David De Gea the wrong way. No valid complaints about the penalty call. West Ham had a free kick on the edge of the penalty area, when Rice struck it towards United’s wall of players and Paul Pogba put his hands up to stop the ball from hitting him in the face. It was a clear penalty unfortunately, although I suppose it’s a natural reaction to raise one’s hands to prevent something from hitting it. Still though, Pogba should have taken it on the face. As a footballer, that’s part of the game. Pogba, for his part, apologized to the team after the match so he clearly knew he screwed up. Down 1-0 at halftime though was still terrible and I had a very apprehensive feeling in my mind.
But to their credit, United kept pressing forward in the early part of the second half and were rewarded for their endeavoring play. Pogba made some amends for his earlier error by bringing the ball forward and playing it to striker Mason Greenwood on the edge of the Hammers penalty area. Greenwood played some incredible 1-2 passes with fellow striker Anthony Martial, with Martial doing very well to draw defenders and create space for Greenwood. After 4 quick passes the ball was at the feet of Greenwood, and he made no mistake with the finish past West Ham keeper Lukasz Fabianski. Still thoroughly impressed with the teenager Greenwood and I loved Martial’s hard work to create the chance for him. Center forwards do more than just score goals, and I think Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has finally implanted that idea firmly in Martial’s head.
The match slowed down more after the United goal, despite both sides striving for a winner. De Gea made a great save to tip the shot of West Ham midfielder Jarrod Bowen over the bar, and substitute striker Odion Ighalo went close later on for United after some great dribbling by Greenwood in the penalty area. Although it was nervy at times, the match ended 1-1 and United temporarily moved into 3rd place in the table.
A win would have been better, but a draw will a do in this situation. United, at least temporarily (as Chelsea played later on in the day) had a 1 point advantage over Leicester and a goal differential tiebreaker over Chelsea despite being level on points, which meant that United jumped two places in the table from 5th to 3rd.
United’s players look tired; it must be said. OGS is in between a rock and a hard place here. Many fans are calling for midfielders Fred and Scott McTominay to get more playing time so as to rest Bruno, Pogba, and Nemanja Matic more, but it does not appear to be that simple. Despite Fred and McTominay playing well before play was suspended, they haven’t consistently looked their best since play resumed. Neither of them is a naturally creative midfielder, either. They typically do not look to play that killer forward pass like Bruno or Pogba would. Matic is our only natural defensive midfielder at the moment, and his possession and ball retention are key to shaping the United attack. McTominay and Fred do not appear to have these skills at the same level as Matic, at least not currently. Our best XI has a midfield 3 of Matic-Pogba-Bruno, but when we rest any one of those 3 players we don’t look good enough.
Only one Premier League game left, though. Sunday morning America-time away to Leicester City. A win or a draw will ensure United qualify for the top 4, no matter what. If United were to lose, they would then have to hope that Chelsea also lose to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Only one point away from ensuring that we continue on our return to glory. One measly point. Leicester can score, but their defense is suspect. Come on United!
Rival Watch
Chelsea knew that a point would ensure that they finish in the top-4, but they were playing the champions-elect Liverpool at Anfield, always a very tough place to get any kind of result. I won’t do a whole recap, but the match ended 5-3 in favor of Liverpool. It was a thriller of a game and it was interesting that Liverpool very much did United a favor today. Chelsea are a very inconsistent team and their manager Frank Lampard has to wonder what more he has to do to get them to play consistently. One thing he could do it seems would be to play American midfielder Christian Pulisic more. He had a hell of a game today and almost single-handedly rescued Chelsea from an even more-embarrassing result with an impressive goal and even more impressive assist. He looked like the best player on the pitch once he came on. I knew this guy was good, and he seems to be growing into a true superstar. Americans, take note!
Prem Table:
3. United – 63 points
4. Chelsea – 63 points (-15 GD)
5. Leicester City – 62 points
4-4-2 