23 Sep 2013 17:47:19
I see the happy clappers are out in force today, just 1 game, long season, best squad and so on. I have to say I am getting a little worried. Melt me explain why.

1. We have been in decline for a while - poor results against lesser opposition have demonstrated this - Europa League anyone?

2. We failed to invest again when we have huge issues to adds.

3. Before everyone jumps in with 'we won the league last year', let me say again that I think that had more to do with how poor everyone else was as opposed to how good we were.

4. I don't buy this 'we have the best squad' argument. Happy to respect people's opinion on this but it is an opinion I disagree with.

5. We have plays who are showing signs of age, are out of form, or are simply not good enough - Rio, Valencia, Nani (I know he hasn't featured much yet), Young, Welbeck, Anderson, Cleverley. Look at the top 6 and tell me which teams would pick Cleverley, Anderson or Welbeck.

6. And then we get to DM. Yesterday he appeared not to know what to do. His team selections have been less than dynamic and his utterances about 'a tough start' are embarrassing.

7. I'm happy to accept a season of transition but playing Young and Giggs doesn't feel like transition.

So, it may only be one game but anyone who is happy with our start is watching a different game to me. We look tired and laboured. Other than Leverkeusen I don't think we have looked great, even against Swansea where the scoreline flattered us. Yes today was awful. The man we bought to add steel strolled around instead of disrupting play. Carrick and Fellaini together is not working for me - pedestrian and 1 paced. The wingers were poor and Welbeck continued to do his impersonation of a new born foal. Rio was poor again and Smalling looked all over the place.

I'm not sure there is a lot to be done. Zaha is raw and Januzaj is inexperienced but at east they might have a go. Transition is fine but we need passion and commitment, 2 things that we didn't all see yesterday (apart from Rooney). If people have got over yesterday's defeat already, then you are better men than I.

Phew, feel better now

1.) 23 Sep 2013
To say i'm suprised AJH would be an understatement, I always thought of u as being very level headed, but recently I have seen these type of posts mate, I think we all know we should do better but we did pi$$ the league last year, got knocked out of the cl by am awful reffing decision and just as bad reactive decisions from fergie.
Yes other were poor last year but we shwed everyone that by winning the league so comfortable.
We will be fine, i'm no happy clapper by any means mate i'm a realist and know wot we are atm, we will be there or there abouts come may again!

2.) 23 Sep 2013
Good post AJH you beginning to think along the same lines as me

3.) 23 Sep 2013
If your post had been up when I started mine AJH I wouldn't have bothered. Perfect assessment.

Chris, whilst we did smash the league last season in terms of points you will have to agree the standard of our football and the way we won many of our games was a stark contrast to just a couple of years before that - grind. The stats don't show how difficult it was for us to win matches last year and had it none been for an inspired RVP for the first half of the season it would have been a very different story at the end of the year.

Too many players aren't good enough and the X factor that was playing for SAF is showing that they all don't have that extra gear now Moyes is in.

The only positive out of yesterday's performance was Rooney's work rate, but his first half performance was just as abject as the rest of them, if not worse, Kompany didn't give him a chance.

4.) 23 Sep 2013
Chris

I usually try to be positive but I think too many people are ignoring the situation. It is a gradual decline over several years and whilst I know 1 game does not define a season, I can't believe how dismissive some are being of what was a terrible performance. If I'm honesty didn't enjoy watching us last year and other than Leverkeusen, haven't done so this year.

Boarshawred, thanks mate but if I ever end up like you I'll slit my wrists :-)

5.) 23 Sep 2013
And Chris, I was fighting the good fight on the Arsenal page trying to give Malaga a dose of realism. I hate continual negative sniping of some, but sometimes, you just have to get it off your chest. As I said, I feel better now!

6.) 23 Sep 2013
End up like me? what being right about united all the time remember my comments no quality players coming in and we will struggle to get into top 4

7.) 23 Sep 2013
Very good post, yes it's easy to slate him but unfortunately we are in a decline and need to realise that. We have had some wonderful teams and the biggest problem of all is we will require a huge level of investment to get us anywhere near the peaks we were at. Most of our main players are 30 or more and our back up players are no where near the level or consistent enough.
Yes we have some good players but it's nothing in comparison to before let alone to the power houses of Europe. Really we are at a stage and do what we done before and play our quality kids like jones/Zaha/and Powell whose unfortunately on loan etc and build around them. Giving them this season and moyes to develop and then hopefully get rid of the dead wood and replace the old guard who are unfortunately pass their peak.

8.) 23 Sep 2013
No boarshaw I think he means being a self indulging negative nancy that seems so far up his own bum and seemingly revelling in his own teams bad points.
Yes AJH I see u fighting the cause fair play mate

9.) 24 Sep 2013
After sunday how can anyone be positive lol