#365DaysOfWriting – Day 163
Liverpool v Manchester United
It ended in a 0–0 bore draw. The most anticipated derby in the Premier League was reduced to a match of ‘tactics’ and ‘being happy with one point’.
I wonder what Sir Alex would’ve made of this.
During his reign, 1 point was considered a defeat. A goalless draw was sacrilegious. And drawing against Liverpool, shameful.
Liverpool are a good team now, no doubt.
Mourinho was pleased that his team shut down the creative attacking prowess of Klopp’s reformed Reds. But what happened to the adventurous, attaching spirit of Manchester United? Where have all the 3–2, 4–3, 5–1 victories gone? Liverpool on the other hand look a lot more creative then they’ve ever been. And Klopp will take this team to greatness again, mark my words.
Everyone thought Rooney was the problem.
So Mourinho took the hard call of benching him. Good, it seemed to work against Leicester City (who aren’t even half of what they were last season). But since then we’ve drawn against Stoke at HOME and at Liverpool away.
What are Zlatan and Pogba doing?
United have had the worst luck with high profile signings in the last few years. The last one to do anything of consequence was Robin Van Persie, and even he faded away once Sir Alex retired. Angel Di Maria started brightly but fizzled out. Radamel Falcao was a non-starter. And now we come to Zlatan and Pogba. Zlatan at least started the season in style. Pogba has been conspicuous by his absence on the pitch – an expensive 90 million pound absence. Unless they make their presence felt soon, I don’t see Manchester United getting out of this rut.
There is light even in the darkness.
Martial and Rashford are still very, very good. They need to start games regularly now – BOTH of them. Mata has been his usually quiet, efficient self. Bailly has proved to be a beast at the back – he could form a fearsome partnership with Smalling. And David De Gea – what do I say about him? Apart from one forgettable mistake against Stoke, he’s been a comforting sight for the ailing spirits of United fans.
Our next game is the Europa Cup tie against Fenerbahce, which will see the return of the prodigal son, Robin Van Persie.
