Well well, in what was built up to be a clash between the English champions and a team who had begun life under Pellegrini in a 'stuttering' fashion this actually turned out to be a true reflection on the two Manchester sides. As The Whitehouse Address discusses,
City proved their true quality whereas United exposed the flaws evident for so
long.
If Man City played like this every week they would walk the
league, and I really mean and believe this. They would also have a real shot of
succeeding in the Champions League too.
It was a performance which many expected last season yet due to off field issues and political battles never materialised. Well this time under a new regime the world class talent which has been put together at City proved itself in today's game. Yes United were poor yet City’s quality simply made United look worse.
The 'big three'
The key men to the win were those who were found lacking last season; Kompany, Toure and Aguero, who for this blog are the best three players of their position in the league. When they are on form City tend to excel and succeed and so it proved.
Kompany’s return from injury has given the side so much in terms of defensive stability but importantly leadership and drive. Without their captain City can look ordinary, yet with him they look simply sublime. His performance against Rooney was top class, effectively playing a man marking job on him whenever the ball came into the United forward. He simply nullified their only threat and not only that but started and supported the attacks.
Add Kompany's performance to that of Yaya Toure, who played the now famous ‘double pivot’ to near perfection and City were solid, organised and a serious threat going forward. Toure was supported by the disciplined Fernandinho and this allowed him to exploit the spaces which United offered him. As well as this he was his dominant self (which was missing throughout last season) and proved that he is arguably one of Europe’s most complete midfielders (the best thing since Essien in the Premier League).
Top this spine with the world class talents of Sergio Aguero and it was near impossible to defeat this City side when the ‘big three’ were on song. Aguero has been extremely disappointing since he arrived in England. Yes he did well in his first season yet 'well' is not good enough for a player of his quality. Last season was awful and his personal issues affected his game. Yet this season he appears re-born and as fans we should be delighted with this.
His attitude from the start was positive, sharp and effective. He played in the 10 role superbly and was very difficult for United’s two mids and centre backs to track and mark. His goals came from his superb ability to time his runs and find pockets of space in the area. For me he was man of the match yet it could have gone to either of Kompany and Toure.
These three brought out the best of the rest too, with special mention to Nasri and Navas who were excellent when the team countered and used space centrally and wide superbly. Nasri’s composure and patience was key for the first goal and he timed his run and finish excellently for his goal. It was a performance which was all too lacking last season for the Frenchman.
As for Navas, there were those who doubted his presence in the team, believing he was not required with Milner or Silva playing on the right side. How wrong they were? Navas offers the speed and world class precision in his crossing which makes him such an asset to City, particularly in transition. He doesn’t stay as wide as expected either which makes his ‘fluid’ movement even harder to play against.
The perfect formula?
It was a performance which many expected last season yet due to off field issues and political battles never materialised. Well this time under a new regime the world class talent which has been put together at City proved itself in today's game. Yes United were poor yet City’s quality simply made United look worse.
The 'big three'
The key men to the win were those who were found lacking last season; Kompany, Toure and Aguero, who for this blog are the best three players of their position in the league. When they are on form City tend to excel and succeed and so it proved.
Kompany’s return from injury has given the side so much in terms of defensive stability but importantly leadership and drive. Without their captain City can look ordinary, yet with him they look simply sublime. His performance against Rooney was top class, effectively playing a man marking job on him whenever the ball came into the United forward. He simply nullified their only threat and not only that but started and supported the attacks.
Add Kompany's performance to that of Yaya Toure, who played the now famous ‘double pivot’ to near perfection and City were solid, organised and a serious threat going forward. Toure was supported by the disciplined Fernandinho and this allowed him to exploit the spaces which United offered him. As well as this he was his dominant self (which was missing throughout last season) and proved that he is arguably one of Europe’s most complete midfielders (the best thing since Essien in the Premier League).
Top this spine with the world class talents of Sergio Aguero and it was near impossible to defeat this City side when the ‘big three’ were on song. Aguero has been extremely disappointing since he arrived in England. Yes he did well in his first season yet 'well' is not good enough for a player of his quality. Last season was awful and his personal issues affected his game. Yet this season he appears re-born and as fans we should be delighted with this.
His attitude from the start was positive, sharp and effective. He played in the 10 role superbly and was very difficult for United’s two mids and centre backs to track and mark. His goals came from his superb ability to time his runs and find pockets of space in the area. For me he was man of the match yet it could have gone to either of Kompany and Toure.
These three brought out the best of the rest too, with special mention to Nasri and Navas who were excellent when the team countered and used space centrally and wide superbly. Nasri’s composure and patience was key for the first goal and he timed his run and finish excellently for his goal. It was a performance which was all too lacking last season for the Frenchman.
As for Navas, there were those who doubted his presence in the team, believing he was not required with Milner or Silva playing on the right side. How wrong they were? Navas offers the speed and world class precision in his crossing which makes him such an asset to City, particularly in transition. He doesn’t stay as wide as expected either which makes his ‘fluid’ movement even harder to play against.
The perfect formula?
What is clear is that Pellegrini has found a ‘formula’ which
suits his players perfectly. Many will call it a fluid 4-4-2 yet for me it is
more akin to a 4-2-3-1 with a double pivot midfield two, a 10 who drops off the
front and two wingers/inside forwards. What is clear is that the players are thriving
under the freedom and movement the Chilean is giving the side. The wings back
are loving their attacking licence and both Negredo and Dzeko will excel in
their roles, both as suppliers and scorers. The threat which City pose is
actually quite scary.
It is reminiscent of the Arsenal ‘Invincible’ side which
contained such power, speed and skill as well as the fluidity and understanding
which helped the side find such a perfect balance. It is a style of play and
performance which this City have been promising for so long, with players of such quality that they were just waiting for a coach like Pellegrini to take make them a world class side.
Without doubt the threat will come in transition, where counter attack football has become almost the recipe for success. With the speed they possess teams will be in fear of this side on the break and may give City the ability to thrive in Europe.
Without doubt the threat will come in transition, where counter attack football has become almost the recipe for success. With the speed they possess teams will be in fear of this side on the break and may give City the ability to thrive in Europe.
United’s rigidity
As for United, well let us address a significant issue for Moyes’ side; the loss of Robin Van Persie. If we are talking about City’s win coming from their big three being on form and available then we cannot ignore the loss of last season’s best player. Van Persie was the difference maker and the reason for United’s title triumph. His class is unquestionable and it was clear as soon as it was announced that he wasn’t playing that the dynamics changed.
For United it meant their talisman, the one they looked to last season to ‘save’ the points was absent. For City it meant they could relax somewhat and believe even more so that they could win. Both played with these thoughts and the result proved as much.
United’s problem in today's game came from an over-reliance on Rooney, who
although craves the main role struggles without support around him. This was
the case today. As United’s only threat it was easy to overcome United and
Kompany found it quite easy to nullify the threat.
In fact City believed Rooney was the only threat enough so that Kompany told Toure and Fernandinho that he would deal with him. This meant the midfield of City were not dragged or pulled about and instead were allowed to keep solid and disciplined.
United suffered because Rooney struggles in tight areas and there was no other outlet or threat to provide more chances. This is where United missed Van Persie and Moyes was guilty of using rigid tactics.
With Welbeck playing as the centre forward City were not worried about his threat, as to be honest Welbeck works better running at defences than playing with his back to goal. As for Young and Valencia, well it was perhaps an attempt for Moyes to play a counter attacking style which brought Valencia’s goal in the game against Leverkusen. However their speed and directness did not help United, instead they were guilty of being wasteful in possession whenever they had the ball.
In a defensive sense Valencia proved lax in his focus which brought about the first goal and Young just proved again that he is not good enough for this level. Welbeck would have been better on the left side instead with Kagawa in the 10 and Rooney as the 9. Moyes got it tragically wrong and it was amazing he didn’t change it at half time. What is clear for United is that if Van Persie is not on form or playing, United have little else to their game, especially considering Moyes distrust of Kagawa, this is a big concern.
In fact City believed Rooney was the only threat enough so that Kompany told Toure and Fernandinho that he would deal with him. This meant the midfield of City were not dragged or pulled about and instead were allowed to keep solid and disciplined.
United suffered because Rooney struggles in tight areas and there was no other outlet or threat to provide more chances. This is where United missed Van Persie and Moyes was guilty of using rigid tactics.
With Welbeck playing as the centre forward City were not worried about his threat, as to be honest Welbeck works better running at defences than playing with his back to goal. As for Young and Valencia, well it was perhaps an attempt for Moyes to play a counter attacking style which brought Valencia’s goal in the game against Leverkusen. However their speed and directness did not help United, instead they were guilty of being wasteful in possession whenever they had the ball.
In a defensive sense Valencia proved lax in his focus which brought about the first goal and Young just proved again that he is not good enough for this level. Welbeck would have been better on the left side instead with Kagawa in the 10 and Rooney as the 9. Moyes got it tragically wrong and it was amazing he didn’t change it at half time. What is clear for United is that if Van Persie is not on form or playing, United have little else to their game, especially considering Moyes distrust of Kagawa, this is a big concern.
As for the new midfield partnership of Carrick and Fellaini,
well what looked impressive against Leverkusen looked bland and negative today.
The difference in the Leverkusen game was that United had Rooney, Van Persie
and Kagawa ahead of the midfield which provided the attack with movement and
creativity. With only one of these key players United needed support from the midifield two,
quite simply they needed to play a double pivot and instead just played a
defensive screen.
It meant United were predictable in their attacks and left a gap for City to exploit in transition. What United needed was what Toure offered City, which was a deep runner who could support the attack. Instead United played rigid and predictable football which City’s fluid modern style ripped apart.
Moyes needs to learn quick
It meant United were predictable in their attacks and left a gap for City to exploit in transition. What United needed was what Toure offered City, which was a deep runner who could support the attack. Instead United played rigid and predictable football which City’s fluid modern style ripped apart.
Moyes needs to learn quick
Two notable performances which cause concern are those of
Smalling and Ferdinand. Smalling is not a right back, he offers nothing going
forward (which doesn’t force Nasri to defend) and he struggles in 1v1
situations. His positioning from crosses is poor and gets dragged inside too
often exposing his back post.
The reason, he is a centre back and thinks like one. Which begs the question as to why he doesn’t just play next to Vidic and replace the declining Ferdinand.
Now Moyes is to blame for Ferdinand’s recent abject performances because quite simply he is overplaying him. Ferguson knew how to manage the ageing and tiring defender yet Moyes treats him as undroppable. This is a concern for United. If Moyes wants Ferdinand to play a positive part this season he needs to manage him much better. With Jones, Smalling and Evans on the side he has the options with which to rotate and keep players fresh.
The reason, he is a centre back and thinks like one. Which begs the question as to why he doesn’t just play next to Vidic and replace the declining Ferdinand.
Now Moyes is to blame for Ferdinand’s recent abject performances because quite simply he is overplaying him. Ferguson knew how to manage the ageing and tiring defender yet Moyes treats him as undroppable. This is a concern for United. If Moyes wants Ferdinand to play a positive part this season he needs to manage him much better. With Jones, Smalling and Evans on the side he has the options with which to rotate and keep players fresh.
The truth however is that David Moyes is inexperienced at
this level and it will take time for him to adapt. United will provide him this time, unlike others sides. Yet his lack of European experience is a concern solely because coaches like
Pellegrini and Mourinho will outclass him in the tactical department, as
Pellegrini proved today.
This is United’s man for the next five years at least and I still believe that United will finish 2nd in the league. Yet there performances and failure to win any of the ‘big’ games so far this season does point to a worrying trend.
It is hard to know what the future holds for United now though, are they good enough to win these big games? Is Moyes tactically astute enough to overcome the top coaches in England and Europe? Ferguson was questioned many times yet continued to respond with a new era and success, can Moyes overcome the doubters?
This is United’s man for the next five years at least and I still believe that United will finish 2nd in the league. Yet there performances and failure to win any of the ‘big’ games so far this season does point to a worrying trend.
It is hard to know what the future holds for United now though, are they good enough to win these big games? Is Moyes tactically astute enough to overcome the top coaches in England and Europe? Ferguson was questioned many times yet continued to respond with a new era and success, can Moyes overcome the doubters?
The English issue
The final issue which needs to be addressed today is the glaring difference in quality between the English players and the foreign talents on show. City only had one Englishman in their side, Joe Hart. City were excellent and the question is, could any English player have done better in any of those 10 outfield positions?
And this is where the concern over England’s future lies.
Rooney is England’s brightest talent yet looked lost and average throughout the game when up against some of Europe’s best players. Ashley Young looked like a Championship player who didn’t know what to do and Welbeck, who many believe is now part of England’s XI looked clueless and lacking technically and tactically. Even Carrick struggled without options and support and Smalling proved he has much to improve on.
It was a world class side versus a mediocre one, and the worry for English football is that some of its brightest talents looked distinctly average.
If English youth development does not seek to develop defenders like Kompany, who possess the athleticism and intelligence to defend as well as having the mentality and impetus to start and join attacks then we are behind the top nations. If we can’t develop a complete midfielder like Toure who can dominate possession and his midfield battles then we will struggle to compete against some of the world’s top nations.
And if we cannot develop more players like Nasri, Aguero and Silva then we are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to the needs of the modern game. The small, skilful and intelligent forward has become a must for the modern game and it appears only England who are failing to produce world class talents of this type.
English football has a long way to go to catch up with the world’s top developers, the game today proved as much. City were fluid, quick, intelligent and positive whereas United were rigid, defensive, negative and wasteful – a perfect example of the modern game versus the British model.
As a nation we need to modernise our approach to player development and tactical ingenuity, if we don’t we cannot expect to qualify for tournaments, yet alone win them.
The Whitehouse Address @The_W_Address
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