Mediocrity or the Manager: The reason for Manchester United’s demise

“Talent alone won’t make you a success. Neither will being in the right place at the right time, unless you are ready. The most important question is: ‘Are your ready?’”

Manchester United have got talent in abundance, but they are not in the right place at the right time and are definitely not ready.We have witnessed this phenomenon time and time again throughout the season. Losing matches to weaker opponents (no disrespect to any team), and losing matches at home is something you would not associate them with. Old Trafford is no more a fortress. It has been breached by teams like West Bromich Albion and Sunderland. This has given hope to every team around the world of having a chance against the Red Devils.

Athens again witnessed it, when United scripted a famous Greek tragedy. Misplaced passes, missed chances and mistimed tackles were all highlights of the night. They were poor in creating chances, lacked creativity in midfield and were even pathetic in converting the very few chances they created. But this was not the scene before they made that trip to Greece.

Sailing through the disastrous season in England, the Red Devils were still unbeaten in Europe. Four wins and 2 draws in the group stages of the Champions league was brilliant sensing the progress they made in England. When the draw for the Champions League was announced, United fans were very optimistic about drawing Olympiakos. Pitted against the powerhouses of European football, the fans heaved a sigh of relief when this fixture was announced. There was hope in the already turbulent season, where nothing was going right for David Moyes’ United side.

But, faith had something else in store for them on a chilly Wednesday night. Everything just went from bad to worse or let me put it like, from already worse to whatever can be beneath it.

Moyes cuts a sorry figure after another loss

The knives were again out for the man who cuts a sorry figure after almost every game. Moyes has been very unlucky to not let his emotions get the better of him. The man just wants to cry his heart out after every defeat, the reasons being numerous. Sometimes, due to his own misinterpretations, sometimes due to his own lack of strategy and usually because of the sloppy play where his players let him down.

Conceding cheap goals or rather gifting it to their opponents are the tragedies that have marred their campaign. Darren Bent’s goal for Fulham is another example of United failing to secure all three points against struggling oppositions.

David Moyes can easily be made the scapegoat for United’s demise. He is to be blamed (no doubt about that), but there is always another side to the coin. The players are equally to be blamed for the rather disastrous season that we are facing. Lack of confidence and mediocrity among the players is also a culprit.

Manchester United football was all about winning, about making comebacks, about never giving up and about winning. The winning part is out of the equation this season, but the lack of commitment is also questionable. The flair seems to be missing from their play. The old guards are unable to bail out United from their misery. The midfield stands depleted and lacks any creativity. The wingers lack concentration and the ability to overlap their opponent.

Thus, Moyes’ failure to deliver at the big stage and the mediocre play for United, combined together has scripted this epic downfall. Statistically speaking, we can still finish fourth in the EPL, but practically speaking, it would be a miracle if we even get to play Europa League football on a Thursday.

The tide is not in our favour. The transition period is still in progress. Juan Mata was an excellent buy for Manchester United. The manager has his current tasks cut out for him. Finding the perfect winning combination, paying the trio of Rooney, Mata and Van Persie, giving Kagawa game time and developing young talent. Manchester United needs to take one game at a time and earn back their respect.

The players need to believe in themselves. Mediocrity has no place at Old Trafford and certainly no place in the heart of any player wearing the crest. The times will change. The losers will soon be winners, but everything requires a price. The trust of the fans and their support is the price that must be paid here. Get behind the team. Be the 12th man for the team and you will soon bask in glory again. The happy days will soon be back. We will soon be Champions.

#BELIEVE #GGMU