The saying “you are at your weakest when you have just scored” is justified time and again in the world of football. It was justified yet again at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night when Mario Mandzukic headed home Bayern Munich’s leveller against Manchester United. The Croatian’s goal coming merely a couple of minutes after the German champions went behind. Suddenly, Patrice Evra’s unstoppable belter of a goal looked like a trigger that woke up Bayern. Evra’s last Champions League goal came seven years ago in a 7-1 home win against AS Roma. This certainly looks to be his last European goal in United colours as talks of an exit grow louder.
After a valiant performance in the home leg, United’s hope of a “miracle” in this season’s Champions League were extinguished as Thomas Mueller and Arjen Robben added to the scoreline — 3-1 on the night, 4-2 on aggregate. The Dutchman, so often the scourge of United in the competition, drove the final nail in the coffin, rounding off a devastating solo run with a deflected shot into the back of the net.
It has been an uncertain season for the 20 times champions of England. David Moyes has had to endure a lot as he still continues his work after replacing Sir Alex Ferguson. A club in transition, there have been ups and downs — the latter being more frequent. And what’s more confusing are the stats. United, in the Premier League, have the best away form this season so far. One wonders how things would have been had they performed a tad better at Old Trafford. The Theatre of Dreams once used to be a fortress, but it now seems – as it has been mentioned many times this season – that the “fear factor” in and around Old Trafford has vanished. Visiting teams now believe they can go out there and get a result.
United currently sit 7th in their league – seven points behind fourth-placed Arsenal – and next up is a trip to Moyes’ old club Everton. The Toffee’s have enjoyed a remarkable season so far as they are currently 5th — six points ahead of United. Roberto Martinez, who replaced Moyes at Everton, had told owner Bill Kenwright that he would take the club to the Champions League. While Martinez has taken to managing Everton like a duck to water, Moyes has had a tumultuous season so far.
Despite calls for his sacking, Moyes can look forward to the next season with a few positives. Wayne Rooney seems to have put questions about his future to bed by signing a new contract till 2019. The evergreen Ryan Giggs, 40, is now a player-cum-coach and his experience will surely add steel to the United backroom. While Marouane Fellaini, a deadline-day signing in the summer, is yet to find his feet at the club, club-record buy Juan Mata is finally beginning to show his class. In terms of future “young” prospects, Adnan Januzaj’s emergence has been heartening. The 19-year-old has already made 30 appearances this season and looks set for a bright future. David De Gea has clearly been United’s standout player this season, with the Spaniard putting in amazing performances between the posts. And in Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans, United might have found the cornerstone of their defence. Moreover, some players such as Nick Powell, Jesse Lingard and Wilfried Zaha, who are out on loan, could yet play an important role next season.
It was always going to be tough for anyone who replaced Sir Alex. It’s true that this very team won the league last season by 11 points, but that was Ferguson’s team. Moyes needs to be given time to build his own United side. There’s a reason he has been handed a six-year contract. Nemanja Vidic, 32, has already announced that this will be his last season with the club — the big Serb will be plying his trade with Inter Milan next season. His central defence partner, Rio Ferdinand, 35, also seems to be in his last season at United. And while Evra, 32, might still be a decent threat going forward, he has certainly lost the defensive capabilities that made him one of the best left backs years ago. Anderson, who is right now farmed out on loan to Fiorentina, looks set for a permanent stay in Italy as well. Out on the wings, Ashley Young and Nani have had below-par seasons, the latter seems more certain to depart at the end of the season, and questions still remain over the performances of Javier Hernandez, Shinji Kagawa and Robin Van Persie. United will be busy in the transfer market in the summer — expect a massive overhaul.
With their European dreams shattered, the Red Devils must now concentrate on their remaining league fixtures. These last five games could make or break Moyes’ maiden season. After 18 consecutive seasons among Europe’s elite, it seems there will be no Champions League for United next season since a fourth-place finish only looks a mathematical possibility. While this might be a financial bane for the club (no participation in the Champions League could mean substantial revenue losses), it could prove a boon next season as they could set their sights once again on the Premier League and other domestic titles.
For nearly 26 years, they played like “Fergie’s Boys”. It is now time for “the Chosen One” to ring in the changes. “Can Manchester United score? They always score”.
