Manchester United: The footballing world’s headless torso case — 1

NMNSGR
NMNSGR
Sep 1, 2018 · 3 min read

First of the three article series: Setting the scene

Writing for the first time about one of my passions, Football and more importantly Manchester United (United for short from now on), I seem to have chosen a time that will not be fondly remembered in the future.

With heads in hands fans of the “Biggest club in the World” are streaming out of Old Trafford, after watching their team’s ghastly performance against Spurs at home ground. A 3–0 score says it all, their team was completely washed out by a team assembled for half the money. This defeat comes at the heels of an away defeat against Brighton, a team that barely avoided the drop to Championship last season. With only one win in three matches, an unconvincing win, and lingering in the second half of the premier league table, United is not looking even a shade of their past.

Yesterday, UEFA Champions League groups were drawn and United share bed with Juventus, Valencia and Young boys in the continental football extravaganza. Group (H) with Juventus — seven consecutive Serie A titles, Valencia — top La Liga team performing brilliantly in last few seasons and Young boys who are currently top of the Swiss league; might not be the relishing “Group of death” but it is still a challenging one. Last season United was backed to reach quarters but this time around just getting out of the group might prove insurmountable. As far as I can predict, second place spot will be won on other merits than the points and United is neither prolific at scoring nor disciplined in the outfield. Despite the talented and expensive squad the only favourable aspect of this team in European cup is Jose Mourinho’s experience and tact to grill results in knock out format.

Next challenge is Burnley on Turf Moor, which has started to look more like a fortress than Old Trafford at the moment, before we hit the International break. Another diabolical performance and Jose might find himself staring down the barrel. Though this is just starting of the season and three loses wouldn’t mean the end of the world but considering Jose and Woodward do not share a fraternal bond, infact recently Jose has been vocal about Woodward’s daftness in the transfer market, does lead you to believe that Woodward is capable of calling a day on Jose’s managerial reign at United. EFL and FA CUP are too far away to make a comment or a prediction, but if recent results continue to repeat themselves those would be the only pieces of silverware we could realistically challenge and hope for.

Now in such a grim setting how would an ardent fan of the club feel and here are the thoughts of one such fan, mine. I have discussed my thougths in this three part article series, the first of which sets the background and paints a perspective, second will discuss specific details on issues at United along with assigning the responsibility and in third I will discuss a few solutions that I feel could help a long way in resolving these issues and rescuing United from miroring the fate of a long foregone club.

NMNSGR

Written by

NMNSGR

I don’t write much, but sometimes I do churn an article or few regarding few of passions — Football, Manchester United, Data science and arts.

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