Man Utd 2013/14 Season Review So Far
Two words that spring up when people think of Manchester United's first half season without Ferguson in over a quarter of a century might just be: false starts
Evident around from day one, where United fans were excited and positive over the future direction of the team after the 4-1 victory over Swansea, they can't seem to seize the momentum created by a decent league win and keep it going over a sizeable timespan. Before December only once, after winning 3-2 at home to Stoke and then following that with victories over Fulham and Arsenal have United managed to win back-to-back Premier League games which is testament to this notion of constant false starts to United's Premier League season.
Yet December has been a pivotal month for them as since they lost back-to-back home fixtures against Everton and Newcastle, they have secured further progression in the Champions League and League Cup as well as, crucially, 4 straight Premier League wins that sees them sit sixth, eight points off the lead and three off fourth (in contrast, on the 8th December, they were 13 off Arsenal in 1st and 7 off Manchester City, who were in the last Champions League place). Possibly the foundations for the New Year roar up the table have been laid?!
Worrying though has been the concession of goals late on, the exact opposite of what the club's speciality under Ferguson. Yes, the stats show that scored late goals (76th minute-90th minute) scored outweigh those conceded by a margin of 6 to 5, but bar goals from Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez against Stoke in October, these goals scored haven't saved United from a losing position and have rather been further gloss on a scoreline or consolation goals. In contrast 3 of the 4 goals conceded in that time have been very costly and has prevented United from collecting 5 points which could've seen them in 3rd position had these points been picked up.
Equally damaging and a note of improvement to be implemented has been their slow starts after the resumption of both halves. According of espnfc.com, half of United's 22 goals concended so far have come in the opening fifteen minutes of the first and second periods. This statistic will undoubtedly disappoint Moyes who will want United to nullify that statistic by focussing more on the defensive aspect of their game until past that 15 minute mark when they can strike meaningfully in the later minutes of the half.
Speaking of doing well, the Champions League is a competition where Moyes and United have done that-completing their opening objective of qualification top of the group from a reasonably tough Group A. Moyes' fleeting experience with Everton when they failed at the final qualifying hurdle for the actual tournament in 2004-05 has been cited as why he had predicted to be a poorer manager in the context of Europe's top table than domestically, but qualification with one game to spare and presiding over their finest two performances of the season so far, both games against Bayer Leverkusen, suggests evidence to the contrary and that the team have kind of use the Champions League as a break and an outlet from their indifferent domestic performances to produce positive European performances and results.
So, on to the form of players and while some like Tom Cleverley, Nani and, more harshly, Marouane Fellaini haven't stepped up to the plate and performed anywhere near their potential thus far. On the other hand, we have seen Wayne Rooney step up to the plate in the absence of Robin Van Persie, Danny Welbeck gain in confidence and in goals department too as well as the emergence of Adnan Januzaj, who following a solid pre-season showing has been given numerous starts by Moyes throughout the season which he has repaid with promising displays for the Red Devils.
Looking forward, positive results in four legs in football, which they are expected to get, against Sunderland in a League Cup semi final double header in January before travelling to Greece to face Olympiakos in February for the first leg of their Last 16 tie in the Champions League will see them progress to further heights and a Wembley appearance in the case of the former.
All in all, I see that a trophy in the cabinet is a distinct possibility, however in the Premier League title race, I think it's more realistic that they may be bestowed the title of 'kingmakers' whether than 'kings' come May. Then again....