United began their hunt for the 20th Premier League title on a losing note. 18 Yard Box' s Pranav Shenoy has a close look at the Red Devil's performances.
Sir Alex Ferguson would have loved to put the last season heartbreak behind him and start off fresh. However, ironically, Manchester United started their campaign against the team that cost them the title last season, Everton. The recent addition of Robin Van Persie did less to save their grace as United were outplayed in their Premier League opener.
18 Yard Box looks at things we can learn from the Goodison Park encounter.
Where is the defense?
United need to get their defence sorted as soon as possible. As the match got underway the absence of first choice defenders was evident from the
very first minute. Carrick and Valencia alongwith Vidic and Evra formed a make shift defence which was susceptible to Everton attacks. David De Gea was the lone standee who kept his team in the game with brilliance at the goal. United need to sort out their defence by getting their injured players back on their feet.
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| Defence went to sleep as Fellaini headed the ball home |
Scholes' time up, Cleverly poor
Scholes is well past his prime and the veteran's poor tackling kept him in danger of being sent off. United need to find themselves a replacement for Scholes as this legend will be dearly missed next season. Cleverley was
clearly outmuscled by Fellaini in the centre of the park. The English midfielder had an injury ravaged season which kept him out for the good part of the previous campaign. Things will take time before he feels at home again. United should be careful that inspite of the arrival of Van Persie, Rooney should not be played in the whole. It will be a waste of talent.
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| United need to replace this midfield maestro |
All good things come in small
packages!!
Shinji Kagawa was the lone bright spark in midfield that United needed the
whole of last season and the summer signing was at the heart of United's play
as he linked the central midfielders and strikers with deft touches and flicks. Kagawa surely brings quality which United has been lacking since several years- an out and out central attacking midfielder.
 |
| Shinji Kagawa was the man of the match |
Key Stats: Shinji Kagawa
Games started
| 1 |
Assists
| 0 |
Shots at goal
| 0 |
| Fouls Drawn | 1 |
End of an E(v)ra?
Patrice Evra has gone from being a valuable player to a
liability. He neither broke through the left flank nor kept Osman at bay. His defensive work also left a lot to be desired. Evra has been a highly efficient left back
for the past 4 years but age seems to have caught up with the Frenchman. The
arrival of Buttner could spell the end
of Evra.
 |
| Evra could well be on his way out |
United to improve as season progresses
Scoring their first goal will do the team a world of good. As the season
progresses, the defense will improve as and when the likes of Ferdinand, Jones,
Evans and Smalling return to action. Kagawa and Van Persie would need to learn
and adapt to United's system of play very soon. Kagawa's ability to setup
goals are unquestionable and his match-winning performances for Borrusia
Dortmund are evidence for the same. With Nick Powell bought, United can look forward to the young lad to surprise everyone. United's strike force looks menacing and when they start to fire, can be almost impossible to stop.
 |
| Happier times could soon be back at Old Trafford |
Comment: As of now, their noisy neighbours have the upper edge but with Sir Lex at the other end, Mancini & his men can’t afford to rest one bit. The Premier League is no longer a two-horse race with Chelsea clearly showing signs of performing consistently over the season and Mancini’s men getting over early jitters to overcome newly promoted Southampton. For now the crown seems to be painted Blue rather than Red.
Written By,
Pranav Shenoy
Pranav is an Editor and writer for 18 Yard Box
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