Manchester United's 2013-14 season review : Part 1

Manchester United have lost too many games in the League this season

As another season of the premier league draws to a close, 354 mn Manchester United fans worldwide find themselves in despair and disbelief. When the season started back in August with Sir Alex no more in charge and ‘The Chosen One’ David Moyes taking up the mantle at Manchester United, no one in their wildest dreams thought that come May we would be lying somewhere midtable, struggling for wins against teams we otherwise would have swept aside and only have a Community Shield to show for.

Well no matter how hard it is to believe, we are 7th in the league and that’s our likely finishing position. Our home form has been abysmal and even though we have the best away record in the league we have not managed to beat any team above us in the Premier League except for Arsenal. It’s been a catastrophe at Old Trafford and the most painful season we have endured in a long long time. Now that’s its almost over I feel like taking sometime and reviewing what has gone wrong at one of the powerhouses of world football. I would try and break it down in a few parts covering the defense, midfield, striker, manger’s and the team as a whole unit.Well firstly thanks for reading until here as I am no professional but just another frustrated Man United fan who has been surprised by the mediocrity we have shown this season.

Let’s start with our defense. David DeGea has been the shining light of our otherwise poor defense this season. If it wasn’t for him we would probably be placed further down the table and no one would dare deny this. Chris Woods, who came along with David Moyes to United has played his role in De Gea becoming one of the top young goalkeepers in the world. God bless the old man.

The central defense has not been what we are accustomed to seeing at United. Vidic decided to move on and Rio Ferdinand is well past his prime. Honestly, Ferdinand should have been sold 2-3 seasons ago and we would have got some decent amount for him and would have also better replaced him then. I respect him for his services to the club but his social media stunts are just unacceptable at a club of United’s stature. I definitely don’t fancy him seeing him at the club next season, he probably would be off to the MLS. Evans and Smalling are good. I’m still not convinced whether they are Man United good. Rafael, one of the best right backs in the league last season has again found himself hampered by injuries and probably his form has also not been that good.

Patrice Evra, where do I start about him. Again a player we should have replaced a season or two ago. Although his form has improved in the past season or two but still, he is 32 and has shocking games when up against good wingers. Makes those attacking runs is alright but he hasn’t got the legs or desire to track back and defend once he is up the pitch. His backup, Alexander Buttner is just another mediocre player and why we signed him in the first place is beyond me. Probably the Glazers’ could only afford Buttner. High time we got a decent guy at left back.

Now the last man left, Phil Jones. He has been an absolute beast. Not afraid to tackle or throw himself between the ball and the goal. The only defender who has been upto the mark and probably the best CB we have. Should be more often played at center back so that he develops and fulfills his potential. Put in an experienced guy alongside him and our central defense would be ready to tackle any opposition . I would personally go for Matt Hummels alognside Phil Jones.

Summing up all this together we can see why we have failed to keep cleansheets and why we desperately need to replace the likes of Rio and Evra if we are to restore our lost pride next season. Jones will replace Vidic who has been a rock in the United defense for many seasons. But we need someone who can move the ball out of defense quickly and feed it into the midfield just like Ferdinand did, someone with excellent ball distribution and again, who better than Matt Hummels. About Evra, Luke Shaw is the most eligible candidate and if reports are to be believed we already have a deal in place for him. Fingers crossed.

Well that’s all about our defense. The point is Vidic is headed to Italy, Rio and Evra are past it. They have served us good and let’s be thankful to them. Club legends for sure but it’s time we look to the future and start rebuilding from the back…..