Manchester United blew a 4-2 lead against Everton to allow Manchester City back into the title race. Where did Sir Alex Ferguson’s men go wrong?
The answer to Manchester United’s troubles can be found over at their rivals at the Etihad, should they take the time to look.
While there is of course no question of Manchester City selling Nigel de Jong to their red neighbours, he is exactly the type of player the club need.
It is not the first time a complacent United side have blown an important game they thought they had won this season.
Back in the Champions League in the Autumn, United were cruising against Basel courtesy of two Danny Welbeck goals.
They thought they had the game won and could coast out the game.
This carelessness led to some slapdash defending, and a 3-3 draw, which ultimately would lead to United’s elimination from the competition.
Months on, the memory of that game has been reawoken, by an excellent attacking display from Everton and another complacent, careless 25 minutes from United.
Have they learned nothing?
What both games do, is highlight a weakness in United’s squad, a clear inability to close out easy wins at times, all swayed by complacency.
They lack a defensive midfielder, who can do the dirty work and break up the play when needed to, and effectively shield the defence.
For all Michael Carrick’s qualities, and he has been much-improved this season, he is not that man.
Look over at Manchester City, and they have exactly that type of player in Nigel de Jong.
Not an automatic starter this season, he has been very much a practicality rather than an essential in Roberto Mancini’s attacking approach.
But when City need to close out a game and hang onto a lead, Mancini sends for De Jong, to pack the midfield and act as a barrier in front of the defence.
United, if they are to be successful, must find their own De Jong.
Newcastle have done, in Cheik Tiote, and while the Red Devils would love to sign him, they surely could not afford to?
Of course they did have one, in Owen Hargreaves, now at City of course. Ferguson was right to acknowledge a Hargreaves player was originally needed, right to release him, but wrong not to replace him.
While Mancini calls for De Jong to shore things up, what are Ferguson’s options?
He doesn’t have any. Phil Jones? Too inexperienced in that position. Park Ji-Sung? Seemingly out of favour, and not an orthodox defensive midfielder.
Darren Fletcher is that man, but has been ruled out since late last year. Even so, the warning signs about Fletcher’s illness were there last season, and Ferguson chose not to sign cover in the summer.
Regardless of who triumphs in the title race, a key flaw in United’s set up has been exposed one time too many for fans liking, and they will want it addressing to stop similar embarrassing and costly repeats of Basel and Everton happening again next season.
image: © apasciuto
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