Manchester United - still a force to reckon with?

After they were knocked out of the Champions League and settle for the second tier Europa League, Manchester United were flooded with questions about their growing weakness to stay in the title run of any competition. This weakness has been further highlighted because of the rising dominance of their cross town rivals Manchester City who, aided by the billions from the Middle East, have gone on an unprecedented starting run to their league campaign.

Perhaps United can have little solace in the fact that their rich neighbours were also knocked out from Europe’s premier club competition much like themselves. But, for a club looking to achieve greatness, it is not very wise to compare with a club who are toddlers in Europe, to say the least. Even then, City’s group was supposed to be much tighter than United’s supposed cake walk through the minnows. But it was City who came out with pride after having beaten the four time European champions Bayern Munich convincingly, whereas United struggled to get even a point at home against their unfancied oppositions.

When Sir Alex was asked what he thought of his team’s growing weakness, keeping the above stated facts in mind, he was expected to have made a serious reply. Instead, he laughed and left the reporter searching for the answer in the air. Does this show his confidence or arrogance? We can only say that Sir Alex has never been arrogant without a reason.

But how did this great Manchester United side, after having made the Champions League final last time out, manage to get themselves knocked out of the competition this time around? The answer to this question may not be a one liner.

One may want to point out that last season, United were rich with the experience of the evergreen Paul Scholes and Edwin Van der Sar. While Scholes time and again proved that he was one of the best midfielders to come out of England with a stunning range of passes and and an unbelievable work rate, what United really missed was his winning mentality. He always cropped up in the right place at the right time to slot the ball home just when United were looking short of creativity and vision to keep their hopes alive. He is the kind of player United lack at the moment. The early promise shown by recruit Tom Cleverley has been interrupted with injuries, and several other injuries in that position are not helping United’s cause.

But what United sorely miss is Van der Sar’s composure between the sticks. With him guarding the net, with Vidic and Ferdinand ahead of him, United used to look rock solid in defense. But the big money paid to buy David de Gea‘s talent doesn’t seem to be materializing into what was expected of the young keeper. Although he has shown lots of promise, his numerous blunders have instilled in the minds of the defenders a doubt about their keeper’s proficiency. Such a lack of understanding was clearly visible in United’s 1-6 defeat to the hands of City, where the keeper failed to command the team’s defensive lines – something which is very important in football.

The loss of two valuable players has certainly hurt United’s team balance and in turn their trophy chances. But surely, two players do not make a team? United’s problems only start here. Losing two players is a sad thing. But what is sadder is the inability to get able replacements. Perhaps Sir Alex put too much money on the Wenger philosophy of playing teenagers regularly. And while this policy seemed to work for a while, fatigue has finally started to take a toll on their inexperienced bodies, which are still adapting to the pace of the Premier League.

This, combined with the season long injury layoff to their skipper Nemanja Vidic, has really exposed the frailties in United’s machinery. So much so that on numerous occasions this season, Ferguson used their prized asset Rooney in a midfield role. Rooney duly fulfilled his duties, but lack of his sharpness has certainly dented United’s striking capabilities. As it is said, if you don’t score, you don’t win. And Berbatov’s falling out of favour with the manager has not helped United’s front line. Ferguson also has been criticized of his under utilisation of Michael Owen – who himself has stated his desire to be United’s front man on a more regular basis.

On a combined basis United, for now, look threadbare in defense, inexperienced in the middle and short of ideas at the front. Signs are not very encouraging for the red half of Manchester. But it is coming out of such situations on top that has characterized the United of recent years. With numerous close wins and ability to take their lucky chances, they have consistently shown their proficiency as escape artists.

And even now, Sir Alex may mount a comeback, as was hinted by their resounding 4-1 win over Wolves just after the disappointment in Europe. Even though it has been denied by the manager himself, Sir Alex is almost certain to make a couple of January signings to boost his squad, most probably a defender after the injury of Vidic and unconvincing form of Rio Ferdinand. United can also certainly make do with a strong minded midfielder who can control the proceedings when the going gets tough.

So, even though United are not in the knockout stages, it must be kept in mind that they are the team that has made three out of the last four finals in the Champions League and have won the competition three times. They even sit at second position in the domestic league table, with every chance of grabbing the top spot with one slip from their free scoring rivals.

And, with them in the Europa League, Ferguson will now no doubt want to add a new trophy in the cabinet considering that they are one of the strongest teams on board the second tier competition.

It would be a foolish thing to consider United to be down and out. Perhaps Ferguson is waiting to get his hand on another European trophy to answer the mystified reporter? Afterall, he loves answering back with a punch.