Ritche De Laet is a fine player, many rate him highly as a right back that may starting making some noise in the future. But he is not the man who United supporters want to see as their starting centreback on a difficult trip to Craven Cottage. Manchester United left Craven Cottage on the wrong side of a 3-0 thrashing. An absolutely disgusting result for a Manchester United side that appears to be falling apart.
With a seemingly insurmountable amount of injuries at the back, United had been playing pretty well and had even picked up a few clean sheets, but it appears they are finally starting to fall apart. With this loss comined with the 1-0 home loss to Aston Villa last weekend things are not looking very good. After five losses Premier League losses in only eighteen games the only real solace United has is that everyone else is dropping points as well. If Chelsea or Arsenal start to go on a run though, United may find it difficult to stay alive in the title race considering their diabolical form.
With Van Der Sar, Vidic, Ferdinand, Brown, Evans, O’Shea, Neville, and Rafael all injured the defense can be excused for giving up a few goals, but it looks as if this team could have a few more deep rooted problems. United have been shut out two out of the last three matches which has nothing to do with the back four. It is looking more and more like Sir Alex made a mistake not dipping into the transfer window this summer to make a big money signing.
The entire attack runs through Rooney, who can be absolutely brilliant, but is very sporatic. When he is off form or injured there is just no where on the park where United can find that extra ounce of creativity. Antonio Valencia provides pace out wide and has been one of few bright spots over the past month or so, but he doesn’t have that ability to change a game. The only other player on this United squad who can really make a game his own is Ryan Giggs who is carrying an injury of his own at the moment. This team just doesn’t have the depth creatively.
United obviously need another qulaity player going forward and it will be interesting to see whether the club will spend the money this January or not. Sir Alex must see the problem, so if he doesn’t buy this winter one can only assume the problem is up top with the Glazer’s and a lack of financial support. It may be difficult to pick up a top player in the January transfer window, but it is absolutely vital for United to do so.
At the back if the injury list doesn’t start to lessen over the coming weeks, it may not be as big a disaster as many think. There are quality technical players at the back, Carrick and Fletcher both are very strong in the tackle. The problem against Fulham was positioning, especially on the second goal where Fulham scored eighteen seconds after the restart. They just stormed right down the pitch exposing some very poor United positioning at the back.
Whatever the root of the problem, Manchester United are a club in absolute disaray right now and the Christmas period will be absolutely crucial. Anything other than two wins against Hull City and Wigan would be a disaster for United. Then of course is the massive FA Cup tie against Leeds. After this game against Fulham it looks as if Manchester United really are falling apart, the key is whether or not they will be able to pull together some results before it is too late.
