Manchester United have a make or break season on their hands

It’s only time that heals almost every wound inflicted by our closest rivals. Yet, none of us can deny the fact that humiliation and catastrophic failures in life is something that holds the strongest end of every individual’s memory. It’s something that either makes you an insomniac or spurs you with belief to make amends on the next best opportunity. The mental acceptance of a resounding defeat is often a burning sensation that gradually turns into immense relief. However, losing with agonizingly close margins makes arrangement for an even more severe ride of pain and a phase of self-doubt.

The latter part is synonymous to the Manchester United post-season, as they try to get rid of the final-day roller coaster experiences that played with their title dreams in a rather ruthless manner.

While the players would have had lesser time to reflect on a comparatively difficult season, Sir Alex would have pondered hours on those defining moments that left his side trophy-less in what started as a promising season. Of course, people tend to suggest that a strong personality as him won’t dwell too much on the past and will always look ahead for several possibilities. Though I disagree to that, considering Sir Alex’s could have expect failure during this transitions phase but not a complete disaster of a season where teams like Crystal Palace would knock his side out of the League Cup, while even the European campaign didn’t serve the usual expectations. Also, the defending champions often lost their way in the league with losses against Blackburn, Wigan and a draw against the Everton side that left the fans feeling dumbfounded.

Failures were rather expected, but no fan would accept a 6-1 drubbing from their closest rival at Old Trafford. With experience on our side, a healthy lead at the top of the table and the fixture list being so kind, every fan expected the League coming back to the red side of Manchester. Instead, the unlikely happened and the United side that never gives in, fell on their knees and played dull football on the decisive day of the League contest against their rivals. The attitude of the side is what would have hurt Sir Alex when he’d reflect on it and more importantly a consistent series of disastrous events timed throughout the season like it was a planned script to test and challenge the belief to succeed at the club.

However, some tasks were still completed successfully from the squad development’s point of view. A strong squad that Fergie always attempts to design before letting his all-conquering ship sail again on the competitive shores looks well on track and now it’s a matter of few tweaks before we have the right combinations. The key positive out of this torrid time was the circumstances which tested the characters of the newcomers like Phil Jones, Ashley Young and especially David de Gea, who learnt English football in a very unsettling manner and now looks well equipped for a brand new season.

Now, all Sir Alex will be looking for will be the most suitable system that can click with the squad at his disposal. Though, one thing remains for sure that he wouldn’t sacrifice his side’s wing-play to achieve more central balance, as a strong support from the wingers have always been a feature of Ferguson’s tactical groupings from his days in the Scottish League. He may still have a dilemma to whether have Shinji Kagawa in the playmaking No.10 role with a striker upfront or the preferred combination of Welbeck as a striker an Wayne Rooney working spaces right behind him, trying to disturb the marking with his movements and incisive moves with the ball.

Sir Alex will also look for a left-back in the market, as Patrice Evra’s performance graph has dipped significantly and it has been the defence that has let the side down for more than one time in the past season. The gaffer will also be monitoring the fitness of Nemanja Vidic and Darren Fletcher, as the two of them are elementary to every successful United sides in recent years. Also, the likes of Tom Cleverley and Anderson will have to step up and make themselves count. Especially Anderson, who as many suggest has had his chances and should be shown the exit door.

Besides the tactical makeshifts and the transfer hustle, the manager will look for some maturity from the lads as he will be losing some more experienced campaigners like Giggs and Scholes by the end of next season. Fans expect that transitions can’t be handled well than how Sir Alex does but it still has its own risks. You can never assume things even if the cash is flowing in for some marquee signings, as it’s the playing field that will decide how they actually adapt to the English game. The Mancunians haven’t really pressed the panic button just yet, but with the shaky finances and the not so encouraging footballing signs either, things can only get better for the red half of Manchester.