Are Manchester United a club in decline ?

10 games done and dusted in the Premier League this season and as the top of the table begins to take shape the one name which is missing on top of the table is that of Manchester United. A team so used to success and being on top of pile, in fact in recent seasons have been the pace setters in the EPL find themselves languishing at no.8 on the table 7 points behind leaders Arsenal. Such a sight is unimaginable in Sir Alex’s era where the team strived on consistency and seem to make winning a habit. All this seems to be changing under the reins of Sir Alex appointed heir of the Red Army David Moyes. Moyes has found the job tough to handle and the constant scrutiny of being the boss of one of the world’s most successful football clubs was always going to add to the pressure. But Moyes alone cannot be held responsible for united poor start to the season; other factors have been equally responsible for a string of erratic performances.

One such primary factor has been failure on the part Red Devils to make certain crucial summer signings. The only swoop this summer has been for Marouane Fellaini on the ending day of the transfer window as a desperate measure to cover up the flaws in the middle of the park. Wilfred Zaha was another player of great promise bought by United but his career is yet to kick start at the club. Fellaini who has played few games for Red Devils has seemed contrived and confused in the middle of the park. This has resulted in United being outplayed especially in the Manchester Derby where Yaya Toure and company ran riot. The second factor has been the defense which seems to lack the solidity and seems to be aging with Ferdinand and Vidic lacking pace and being exposed while Rafael tendency to thrush forward leaves them exposed on the counter attack.

Lastly David Moyes seems to be confused about his team selection and formation with him constantly tinkering between 4-4-1-1 and 4-3-3. But Moyes has been successful in bringing the best out of Rooney and also giving an opportunity to the supremely talented Adnan Januzaj. Manchester United a club with great history in the recent past is experiencing a transition in not only in terms of managerial shift but also in terms of team dynamics. The era of the Giggs, Scholes and Ferdinands seems to be coming to an end and there is need to fill the huge void which these stalwarts will leave. Only time will tell whether the likes of Cleverly, Jones and Carrick will be able to step up to fill these gaps to ensure the beginning of another glorious era in long history of the club or will it result in Red Devils facing a major crisis to compete, these questions will be answered in due course of time.