Football Comment: Man Utd at risk of another European failure
IF PROOF were ever needed that pre-season results have little bearing once the real business of the Premier League season starts, then Manchester United are surely it.
All clubs just want to get the first 90 minutes out of the way and leave with three points, and United looked in a good position to do so based on their displays in summer friendlies. Yet when points were at stake and they had to raise their game because suddenly everyone is watching they couldn’t, and lost at home to a Swansea team set up primarily to not lose.
It was surprising and a sign that United’s problems run deep. They are suffering from a lack of leaders, a shortage of pace, and their play looks disjointed.
More than anything though, it’s obvious that the squad has a dearth of quality. Robin van Persie, the wrong side of 30 and no stranger to injuries, is the only major absentee, and players such as Darren Fletcher and Ashley Young – squad men, previously – are now being expected to take on more significant roles.
It’s almost as if United know they are not up to it, and are inhibited by the burden of wearing the shirt and playing at Old Trafford – once a fortress, now seemingly a hindrance.
New boss Louis van Gaal is three or four players short, compared to Chelsea and Manchester City, and needs to bring in players with pace and quality in every position. Marcos Rojo, signed last night, is a start but only that. He has to get wins soon or their season will be in real trouble, and unless they buy well and soon, they’ll miss out on the Champions League for another season.
MACKAY MAKES SENSE
Crystal Palace’s choice of Malky Mackay as successor to Tony Pulis makes sense. He worked with director of football Iain Moody at Cardiff and together they attracted some good players to the club, such as Gary Medel and Steven Caulker.
Pulis rallied Palace and brought them together, and that is a key part of a manager’s job at a side fighting relegation. I think Mackay’s traits – he’s popular with players but strong – mean he is capable of doing a similar job.
Palace finished 11th last season but, with all due respect, should be looking at survival this term. It’s too early to tell how many teams will finish below them, but if Mackay keeps them up, chairman Steve Parish will be delighted.
Trevor Steven is a former England international footballer who now works as a media commentator.