3 reasons why Manchester United drew with Valencia

Manchester United v Valencia - UEFA Champions League Group H
Yet another disappointing result

#1 A midfield trio of Nemanja Vidic, Marouane Fellaini and Paul Pogba doesn't work

Manchester United v Valencia - UEFA Champions League Group H
Matic had a poor game

It's clear as daylight that Mourinho does not trust his centre-backs. That is perhaps why he feels the need to overcompensate in defensive midfield and this has often stifled United's vigour going forward.

Having Nemanja Matic and Marouane Fellaini running things from deep is like driving a car around with 2 flat tyres. Matic and Fellaini were extremely slow on the ball, almost often delaying crucial passes by 3 or 4 seconds, allowing the Valencia players to get back into position.

The sheer immobility in United's midfield also led to the growth in space between defence and midfield and against a better opposition, United would have suffered.

What's even more baffling was Mourinho's persistence in keeping the midfield undisturbed even as the game looked primed to finish 0-0. If the United gaffer is still trying to make a point to Woodward, he is writing a script to a story that was finished long time ago.

Right now, what United need is a dynamic midfield that can turn up the pace and take the game to the opposition. And the more defensive midfielders we see in their lineup, the worse it's going to be watching the Red Devils labour through games.

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Edited by Sripad
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