Man United Win At Last

Manchester United 2 Swansea City 1

Manchester United began the year in a positive mood with a hard fought victory over Swansea City at Old Trafford.

Goals from Martial and Rooney, the first time they have scored in the same match, ensured that United kick started 2016 with a much-needed win and a valuable 3 points.

United's first match of the year and it couldn't have been against a trickier opponent than the team from South Wales, who have held a certain jinx over the Red Devils and van Gaal.

Swansea had won four out of the last five meetings between the two sides in all competitions and were the team that welcomed van Gaal to the English game when they beat his side at Old Trafford in his first match in charge.

So, in United's current predicament of not having won in the last eight games of 2015, the Swans would certainly provide a stern test for United.

Van Gaal decided to make one change from the side that performed to a level that deserved more than the point they obtained in the goalless draw against Chelsea and that was to recall Jones into the defence in place of Darmian.

United's starting XI consisted of: De Gea, Young, Smalling, Jones, Blind, Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin, Mata, Herrera, Rooney And Martial.

Swansea got the game underway at a rain-soaked Old Trafford but the weather didn't dampen the home fans voices as they got behind their players from the start. It was Herrera, who almost worked his way into a shooting position within the first minute only to be denied as he readied to pull the trigger.

The home side started the match as they had left off against Chelsea on the attack with Blind and especially Young providing openings down the wings.

The visitors sat back looking to attack on the counter, which they did when Ayew found some space but failed to make good use of the ball. Something that United would have to be wary of.

Swansea set up to put pressure on United whenever the home defenders had the ball which seemed to unsettle Smalling and his defenders who tended to rush the play out of their own half.

At the other end, United lacked ideas as to how to break through the back four as they tried to play their way through the middle when the width provided by Blind and Young would have been the better option to get behind the defence.

A cross delivered from Young fell to the unmarked Rooney at the far post, but his weak effort hit the side netting. Having only scored a handful of goals in 2015 that was a perfect chance for the captain to start the new year with a bang.

With thirty minutes on the clock, it was the same old familiar story of United being unable to break their opponents down and produce the goals that would not only lift the players but also the atmosphere within the Theatre of Dreams.

De Gea was made to work as he caught an effort from Routledge at full stretch. Martial was bundled off the ball on the edge of the box and it was the quick thinking Herrera, who took the kick quickly and played in Mata. His first effort was blocked then the keeper Fabianski saved the poor follow up shot far too easily.

Another cross from Young looped into the area and was met by the head of Rooney. Unfortunately, he was surrounded by three defenders and even though he did well to rise above the rest he failed to find the power needed.

Schneiderlin was having an off day as he was guilty of under-hitting his passes and on a couple of occasions was lucky to get away with handball decisions that could have easily gone against him.

Mata came close to grabbing the opener as he let fly with a shot inside the area, however, Fabianski collected the ball low on his line.

The only outlet for United was on the right wing as Young continued to play some great balls into the danger area. Just before half time, Smalling was cautioned for a foul on Ayew. There was one more chance for Rooney to head towards goal from yet another Young cross, but Fabianski was well placed to save on the line.

Half time and it was back to the mundane play that has dogged United for the last two months as they lacked inventiveness in front of goal and seemed bereft of confidence and ideas to put the dire situation right.

As the players trudged off the pitch they did so to a chorus of boos from the restless faithful that would surely spur them on to perform better in the second half.

United got the second half underway as they attacked the Stretford End with the one change being made by van Gaal and that was Darmian replacing Jones in defence.

Rooney forced a corner within seconds of the start with a deflected shot. Blind, the main corner taker, delivered a ball that the Swansea players put behind for another corner. Young picked up the clearance and sent over a cross that eluded Rooney, but there was Martial to power home a header to give the stadium a huge lift. Just the start that was needed from the Red Devils.

Young was proving to be the main tormentor of the visitors as he created chance after chance for United.

The goal within two minutes of the restart was exactly the tonic United needed and it also had the desired effect around the ground as the young French striker once again proved what a great goalscorer he is.

The home side seemed to have an air of confidence about their play winning tackles and being first to the loose balls. Rooney almost made it two when he managed to get a shot on target despite being marked by three players.

If anybody deserved something for his hard work it was definitely Young, who was running his socks off down the right wing and playing some delightful football, maybe he was the only one not to indulge too much over the New Year.

On the hour mark, Herrera side footed a shot over the bar and at the other end there was a warning as De Gea could only watch as Ayew headed against his near post.

Mata and Martial played a brilliant one-two inside the area, but the Frenchman's touch was a little heavy in the end. That style of play is exactly what has been missing over the last few months and was a welcome sight.

Martial obviously buoyed by his goal was proving to be a handful for the visitors as they struggled to contain his runs.

Then in the 70th minute, all the hard work was undone as Swansea grabbed an equaliser when Sigurdsson headed home unchallenged in the box.

Now it was all about how the home side would react to the setback after they had played so well prior to the equaliser.

React they did and in the 77th minute after some brilliant approach play by Martial United grabbed the lead through Rooney, who skillfully flicked the ball home after Martial showed great footwork to get past the defenders on the byline and played the ball into the path of his captain.

That goal puts Rooney in the outright position of second in the United all-time scoring record with 238. Only Sir Bobby Charlton is ahead of him.

Once the second had been scored van Gaal made his next change of the match by taking off the exceptional Young and replacing him with McNair.

Five minutes before the end, Blind clumsily brought down Barrow in a dangerous area and was booked for his troubles.

With the minutes ticking away the nerves were palpable around the great stadium as Carrick replaced Herrera for the four minutes of added time. It was great to hear the cheers from the crowd in recognition of the work that the Spaniard had put into the match.

Carrick was making his 400th United appearance and immediately joined his teammates as they watched his keeper make his usual breathtaking stop from an effort at the death by Williams. The last action of the match saw the Swansea keeper push up for a corner which he headed just wide of De Gea's post.

Full time and, at last, a win for Man United that ended their dismal run and it was certainly nice to hear the cheers from the crowd as they made their way down the tunnel. Overall, it wasn't a performance that will be remembered, but the way they grounded out the result surely bodes well for the future. At times, they looked unstoppable, but as usual, they made hearts flutter with some nervy defending.

There were a handful of players who stood out including Mata and Herrera. Rooney, who spearheaded the attack where he should always be, Young never stopped digging out crosses from the right, but it has to be that man Martial who deserved the man of the match plaudits after not only scoring the opener and providing the assist for Rooney's winner, but he was a continual thorn in the Swan's defence for the whole 90 minutes.

All credit to the team who didn't buckle under the stress of conceding the equaliser and let's hope this victory can provide a platform for a decent run over the next few weeks.

The transfer window is now open and the opportunity to reinforce the forward line and defence with players who can add quality and ability to the current squad is of paramount importance if United are to mount a challenge on three fronts.

This week saw striker Will Keane recalled from his loan spell at Preston to help shore up United's attack. This was all well and good, however, it does beg the question why van Gaal allowed James Wilson to go out on loan? Keane has managed 2 goals in 20 matches compared to Wilson's 2 from 8.

Next weekend sees the return of the FA Cup to Old Trafford with the visit of Sheffield United. It would be great for the manager and players to take the competition seriously as it has been far too long that the club have held up the old trophy.

Thanks for reading.

Miles Dunton.

United Sink to Defeat at Swansea!

Swansea City 2 Manchester United 1

This was Louis van Gaal's 50th match in charge of United and against opponents who not only ruined his unveiling as the new manager of the Red Devils but went on to take six points off the Old Trafford outfit last season.

Swansea has proven that they are a tricky opponent and are difficult to play against especially on their home turf, but United are a different team compared to the previous campaign and are at last starting to find their rhythm after the new signings have started to get used to the level that they are expected to play at for United.

After the success of qualifying for the Champions League group stages and being placed in what seems a relatively easy group the away side were on a high going down to South Wales and why not? Wayne Rooney was back among the goals after his European hat-trick against Club Brugge, Ander Herrera repaid van Gaal's faith in him with a goal in his first start of the season and Fellaini was available after completing his three-match ban.

The biggest question was whether United could take their Champions League form and goals into the Premier League against sterner opposition. The answer was a resolute no as Swansea once again took advantage of a lacklustre United and claimed another victory.

The only absentee for the game was Adnan Januzaj who had picked up an injury, but this provided another chance for Herrera as it meant he could stake a claim for his place in the team as the number 10. Marcos Rojo was still unavailable for selection but is almost ready as he came through 60 minutes in a behind closed door match against Ajax this week.

Man United's starting XI: Romero, Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Shaw, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Mata, Herrera, Memphis and Rooney. Subs: Johnstone, McNair, Valencia, Carrick, Young, Fellaini and Chicharito.

Herrera kept his starting place and Schneiderlin and Scweinsteiger returned to the midfield which meant that Carrick would start on the bench.

United got the match underway with the backing of the away fans ringing in their ears. The away side started the match brightly on the attack and were awarded a free kick in the very first minute, which Memphis hit low towards the corner but, the Swansea keeper Fabianski was alert to the danger and saved low.

Then a nice run on the left by Memphis almost produced an opening for Mata but after a neat exchange of passes the Spaniard fired his shot high and wide.

In the first quarter of an hour Swansea kept hitting the ball over the top and each time Smalling was there to clear up continuing his improved form. It was pleasing to see that when the home side did attack United defended as a unit with all the players helping out to regain possession.

United had two chances to take the lead within a couple of minutes half way through the half when first Rooney was put through on goal by a superb threaded pass by Shaw but the striker was caught up by defender Williams who managed to get a toe on the ball before the captain could pull the trigger, this was followed by a great chance which fell to Mata, who was lurking unmarked on the right of the box. He picked up the pass from Herrera and when it looked odds on a goal he blasted his effort wide. Poor from Rooney and Mata.

It wasn't all United as Swansea had their own chances to go ahead, first with a shot by Gomis followed by a glaring miss by Sigurdsson and an attempted lob by Shelvey which Romero managed to get back and catch on the line.

On the half hour mark United were living dangerously and struggling to contain striker Gomis, who was unlucky when his shot hit the post. Rooney had another chance to reedem himself, however his attempted lob over the keeper was weak to say the least, yet another chance had gone begging in a half that was a hard fought affair. Herrera hit a right footed shot from the edge of the area which he pulled wide.

United saw out the last five minutes of the half in control after the home side had a period of ten minutes of threatening attacking play.

An uninspiring first half summed up by the lack of atmosphere inside the Liberty Stadium as both sides were badly let down by their finishing. The main culprits for United were Memphis and Rooney, who had obviously left his scoring boots back in Belgium after his heroic hat-trick and both Mata and Herrera really should have done a lot better with their shots that weren't even on target.

Both Schneiderlin and Memphis received cautions the Frenchman after a needless tackle and the Dutchmans' booking seemed to be a harsh decision by the referee.

Half-time 0-0.

More was expected in the second half from United and that's exactly what they delivered with a goal by Mata after only three minutes of the restart. The goal was created by Luke Shaw as he made a run down the left wing and powered over a cross which eluded Rooney, but found Mata at the far post and the Spaniard didn't miss this time as he fired home the opener. Superb play by Shaw, who continues to impress this season.

A Memphis cross was almost deflected into his own net by Williams but his keeper managed to save the defenders embarrassment.

The goal seemed to reinvigorate United and the ground filled with the away fans celebrating with chants for the goal hero Mata. The goalscorer had a chance to double the lead just before the hour mark, but he couldn't find a way past the keeper when one on one, then within seconds Rooney gave away the ball while on the attack and Swansea went straight down the other end and equalised through Ayew.

Captain Rooney has to hold his hands up and take the blame for the goal as it was his mistake that led to the home side breaking forward and making the match all level and in turn ensuring United lost their clean sheet in the Premier League.

Then disaster in the 66th minute when Swansea took the lead through Gomis, who stole in-between Smalling and Darmian to latch onto a through ball and tuck it away past Romero at his near post.

The Argentinian keeper has to take some of the responsibility for the goal as he shouldn't be as easily beaten from that type of angle as he was. What a difference a goal makes as Swansea were buoyed by their earlier equaliser and United seemed to have had the stuffing knocked out of them.

Louis van Gaal decided that a change was needed and replaced Mata and Schneiderlin with Young and Carrick for the last twenty minutes of the match. United tried to come up with the goods but failed to deliver the strike that would have given them hope.

The final change for United saw Herrera make way for Fellaini who took up his position up front with the hope of causing havoc in the home defence.

With ten minutes left on the clock it was increasingly difficult to see where United's equaliser would come from as they struggled to put any moves together that troubled Swansea's defence.

Rooney had the last chance at the death, but after showing superb control to bring the ball under control from over his shoulder, he then took one too many touches before losing the ball even though he claimed incorrectly that he was fouled.

That chance summed up the captain's day as he reverted to his lacklustre style of play where he looked distinctly off the pace and didn't show the leadership qualities that United badly needed. His last chance was similar to the own goal in the opening game against Spurs where he dithered on the ball in the box, but this time the defender didn't put the ball in his own net.

The match ended in a repeat of last season and Swansea are quickly becoming Louis van Gaal's bogey side . A disappointing result but one that Louis van Gaal and his staff have time to remedy as there will no matches this coming week due to Internationals. Let's hope that no player receives any injuries while away with their home countries.

This week saw the departures of two defenders from Old Trafford Jonny Evans and Tyler Blackett. Evans has joined West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee, but which is thought to be around £8m. He leaves Old Trafford after an 18 year association and with three Premier League titles and two League Cup medals. Blackett has joined Scottish giants Celtic on a season long loan which can only improve him as a player and hopefully when he returns, he and United will both benefit from the valuable experience. Good luck to both.

As regards new players arriving there's not that much time left. It's clear United need more firepower up front as they are thin on the ground when it comes to players to put the ball in the net and with four trophies to play for this season if van Gaal thinks he doesn't need another striker then he is greatly mistaken.

As Sir Alex Ferguson believed, quite rightly, that a team needs four recognised strikers in their squad to be able to compete at the highest level and United do not have that number, so let's see what the next couple of days brings.

The goalkeeper situation needs to be resolved and although Rojo is making strides the defence United could do with one more experienced center back.

There is an international break over the next week and then United have a small matter of Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Until then thanks for reading.

Miles Dunton.

Manchester United Fixtures Preview 2015/16

It seems that last season has only just finished but this week saw the release of next season's fixture list.

All the fans have their own preference of which match to look for first whether it be by team or date. The most important matches have to be the Liverpool fixtures followed by the derby dates.

There is, of course, no such thing as an easy season, however, Louis van Gaal must have been quietly confident when he saw the fixtures as it has thrown up a fairly easy start and end to the season with the hardest of the matches coming mid-season which gives the team time to get into a winning rhythm.

The Red Devils will kick off their season with by far the biggest match of the opening weekend at Old Trafford against Spurs followed by an away trip to Aston Villa then it's Newcastle at home.
August ends with a tricky journey to Wales to take on Swansea who started our season off with a defeat last year. In the middle of those games, United will have the not so small task of the UEFA Champions League qualifying matches.

A collective spirit is needed.

There will be the dreaded international break before our first big clash in mid-September at home to Liverpool, memories of last season's double over them still fresh in the mind. Two more games in September see us play the much improved Southampton away and Sunderland, who were so lucky to escape the drop last time round, at Old Trafford.

Rooney scores against Arsenal.

October will prove a difficult month as it starts with two matches away first a visit to the Emirates to play Arsenal followed by Everton. Then it's the first local derby at home to Man City. Last season was sweet against the Gunners and City but sticky versus the toffees. Crystal Palace will provide the opposition at Selhurst Park at the end of the month.

The three matches in November seem to be relatively straightforward, if that's possible for United, they are WBA at home, newly promoted Watford away and Leicester away.

Ashley Young in his Watford days.

The month will see a return to Vicarage Road for Ashley Young, who started his career at Watford. It's been eight years since The Hornets were last in the top flight.

The busy festive month of December will see United play in a total of five matches three home and two away. It starts with a home game against West Ham with their new manager Bilic then a trip to the south coast to play Premier League debutantes AFC Bournemouth who we last played in the FA Cup back in 1989.

Another newly promoted side Norwich will visit Old Trafford then Boxing Day will see all the fans dressed as Santa at The Britannia Stadium to take on Stoke. Come the end of the year will hopefully be a match that is going to have a strong bearing on the Premiership title, Chelsea at home.

AFC Bournemouth celebrating promotion

The first match in 2016 will see the visit of Swansea to Manchester followed by a break in the league for the FA Cup 3rd round. After which United will be on their travels to Newcastle and Anfield the scene of Juan Mata's heroics last time we played there. The month will end with Southampton at home.

February starts with former red Mark Hughes bringing his Stoke side to Old Trafford which will be followed by United playing Chelsea at Stamford bridge on the 58th anniversary to the day of the Munich air disaster. Sunderland away comes before yet another big clash of the month Arsenal at home.

Mata the Anfield hero.

Hopefully, by the time March comes around United will be well placed for the league run in and will host Watford then visit WBA. Crystal Palace at home will be followed by our last match against one of our possible major opponents for the league, Man City at the Etihad. It would also be nice to think that United will be still involved in the knockout stages of the Champions League and the FA Cup.

The last seven matches in April and May appear to offer United a chance to end the season strongly and it starts with Everton at home then Spurs away. By the time we play Villa at Old Trafford and West Ham away, we could be potentially gearing up for silverware in the league or one of the cups or dare I say both.

Our last three games of the league season are Leicester at home followed by Norwich away, then Old Trafford will witness the last match of the campaign as Bournemouth will hopefully be trying to spoil the Champions' celebrations.

I foresee United getting off to a flying start compared to the stuttering beginning last season. Louis van Gaal has now had a year in the Old Trafford hot seat and will have learnt from his and the teams' mistakes of the previous season. Add to that the new arrivals that have been signed to strengthen the squad and there is every reason to be optimistic about the chances of being able to challenge on all four fronts next season.

Thanks for reading.

Miles Dunton.

United lose it at The Liberty.

Swansea City 2 Manchester United 1

There was most definitely not a warm welcome in the valleys for the visit of United to the Liberty Stadium.

Swansea had of course inflicted defeat on Louis van Gaal's team in his first official game in charge at the beginning of the season at Old Trafford. This was a chance for United to gain revenge for that defeat and to consolidate third place in the Premier League. Going into the match the Reds had only suffered one defeat in nineteen matches and were also going well in the FA Cup.

The team selected by the manager to return to England with the three points comprised of: De Gea, McNair, Jones, Rojo, Shaw, Herrera, Blind, Di Maria, Fellaini, Rooney and Van Persie. The subs were: Mata, Falcao, Januzaj, Smalling, Young, Valencia and Valdes.

Van Gaal tinkered again at the back by making two changes from the side which beat Preston 3-1 in the FA Cup on Monday, Paddy McNair replacing Antonio Valencia at right-back and the fit-again Phil Jones came in for Chris Smalling in the centre of defence.

Wayne Rooney started as a striker in the league for the first time since December. Falcao was left on the bench as Robin van Persie was the preferred choice to partner Rooney up front.

As van Gaal had kept the captain in attack there was also a first start since December for Fellaini in midfield.

The first half started with an early foul by Fellaini who was either trying to stamp his authority on the game or just plain clumsy.

Rojo uncharacteristically gave an early ball away from which Routledge tried his luck, but the Argentinian defender righted his wrong by blocking the shot for a corner.

Swansea went close to taking an early lead but Ander Herrera just, and only just, cleared Gomis's header off the line. That was certainly an early let off for United and a warning for the visitors defence.

The stress on the United players started to show as Herrera lost his temper with Paddy McNair as a simple pass to the Irishman went out for a throw-in. It had been a bad start for United, how many times have we seen that this season.

10 minutes into the game there was another corner from Swansea and again poor marking from the visitors which allowed Gomis a free header which he totally wasted by heading over.

After patient passing from United, McNair won a free-kick on the right. Angel Di Maria lashed a ball into the middle which fell to van Persie, but the Dutchman fired so wildly from an acute angle that it went out for a throw-in on the other side of the pitch.

United's marking at the back was woeful, as was shown when Jones was nutmegged on the left then as the ball was crossed nobody was picking up Routledge who could only shoot weakly at goal which David de Gea saved easily.

Fellaini was walking a fine line with his niggling fouls, something that he had to be careful with.

Wayne Rooney started brightly with some fine one touch football around the opposition's box and nearly latched onto a nice ball at the near post from Di Maria.

At the other end, Phil Jones inexplicably gave away a corner, another example of how poor his has performed this season. Too many times this season United's play forward has been halted by passes that have ended up going backwards which has resulted in mistakes at the back.

On 26 minutes Robin van Persie had a good run to the byline and managed a cross which the keeper Fabianski reached before Rooney could get a foot to it, shortly afterward the Dutchman had a run and shot on goal, unfortunately, he sliced high and wide.

United finally started to turn the screw and it paid off in the 27th minute with some fantastic approach play down the left involving Fellaini, Shaw, Di Maria and Rooney that saw the ball fall to Ander Herrera who was lurking unmarked inside the penalty area. The Spaniard struck a right-footed shot into the bottom corner. That was his third goal from his last three starts in the side.

However, the joy didn't last long as Swansea drew level within a couple of minutes as Ki ended a move by flicking the ball past de Gea far too easily in the six yard area. A soft goal to concede so soon after taking the lead, which was down to a total lack of concentration in United's back four.

The majority of United's attacks were coming down the left with Shaw and Di Maria heavily involved in everything. Their endeavours, just before half-time, produced another corner from Rooney, which was played much too close to the keeper again. It should be noted that United have only scored from eleven set pieces all season.

Referee Neil Swarbrick eventually lost his patience with Fellaini, who finally received his yellow card after having conceded four free-kicks.

Half-time and it was all square at 1-1. More purpose was to be expected from the Red Devils in the second half. There were some fleeting glimpses of the old partnership between Rooney and van Persie coming together up front but not enough. However, it was good to see the captain back where he belongs.

At the beginning of the second half, United's first change saw Antonio Valencia replace McNair to add pace and experience to the right back position. Phil Jones began the half by picking up an early caution.

Ki almost grabbed his second from an identical move to Swansea's equaliser, but this time he was thwarted by de Gea. It was good to see Daley Blind lose his temper with Shaw as that's exactly what the defence needed, a kick up the backside. If van Gaal was an animated character he would have surely pulled out all his hair after what he was witnessing at the back.

A flurry of corners from United didn't really trouble the home defence as they easily cleared their lines. As the half settled down United once again enjoyed some nice passing moves across the pitch but lacking any penetration.

After 58 minutes, van Gaal had seen enough and substituted Luke Shaw for Ashley Young. A positive change which nearly paid off immediately with the subs first touch as he laid the ball into the path of Rooney who in turn touched the ball to van Persie whose shot hit the side netting.

You got the feeling that if the Reds could stay strong at the back the game was there for the taking with the speed of Valencia and Young out wide. Young especially was looking lively and putting in some decent crosses from the left.

Rojo headed over a corner when he really should have gone closer with his effort. Then a second corner caused confusion in the box as nobody quite knew where the ball was until the keeper dıved on top of it.

Van Persie came close after some stunning passing in midfield, but he just couldn't connect with his volley with any power.

With 20 minutes left in the match, United were in total control and were pushing for the winner as the away fans kept up their '99 Anthem.

Rooney had a shot blocked resulting in yet another United corner. Everything was going the visitors way, surely it was only a question of time before they found the breakthrough.

Then out of the blue disaster struck as Shelvey found himself unmarked 30 yards out and let fly with a deflected shot that flew past the wrong-footed David de Gea. It's not good to put the blame on a single player when the opposition score, but in this instance I feel I have to as Fellaini gave the ball away in the center circle and made no effort at all to chase down the ball after his mistake.

This is not the first time he has been guilty of this, but at least he didn't fall to the ground clutching his neck this time. After all their promising work, United found themselves chasing the game, not for the first time this season.

United's last change of the match came after 78 minutes when Di Maria, who had looked jaded in the second half, was replaced by Juan Mata.

Ashley Young was booked for what the referee deemed a dangerous challenge after 84 minutes.
Fellaini played the last 10 minutes as an out and out striker as van Persie struggled with an injury and as van Gaal had used up his three substitutes he had to struggle on.

United's fourth caution came after Rojo was booked for a debatable challenge on the keeper from a United free-kick in the last few minutes.

Every ball forward from United in the last ten minutes of the game was aimed long towards the head of Fellaini which would have pleased Big Sam, but today the tactic didn't pay off.

In the end, United had fallen to their first defeat since the home loss to Southampton, but full credit to Swansea, who have now done the double over United this season. The only positive to be taken from the loss is the man of the match performance of Ander Herrera, who once again fully justified the decision to start him. His clearance off the line in the end was futile, but his goal was well taken.

For Manchester United, this was a result which took the wind out of their sails and put more pressure on the challenge of finishing in the top four. Another toothless display from the United forwards who needed to convert the few chances that were created, and rarely did they ever look capable of doing that.

With the new philosophy and system being used by Louis van Gaal gone is the swashbuckling attacking style of old which has been replaced by a dour approach play that is far too predictable. Teams are simply not scared of United in the way they used to be, the fear factor has totally disappeared.

United desperately need a stable back four with players who can actually defend then we might have a chance at competing for the league again.

Next up is the visit to Old Trafford of Sunderland and a chance to put a run of victories together in the push for the Champions League places. It would be a disaster for the club to miss out on the competition for the second year running, but on this performance nothing is guaranteed. It is time for socks and sleeves to be pulled and rolled up collectively by the team.

Thanks for taking the time to read.

Miles Dunton.