Sir Alex often seems semi-detached, as if he’s coasting into retirement.
He sometimes looks as if he’s going through the motions.
This morning we were told that Manchester United haven’t lost three games in a row for seven years.
But this season’s United side is their weakest for ten years.
His mistake was to make a big commitment to Berbatov, who didn’t make a big commitment to him. Tevez made a big commitment to Sir Alex but he lost Tevez as the same time as Ronaldo. He sold CR for £80m and he got zero for Tevez because he didn’t own him. Now Tevez is playing Champions League-quality football for Man City and they will finish fourth for that reason.
I just don’t trust Sir Alex to pick the right team any more.
He starts 2-1 down to Bayern, who will play for a draw but are capable of scoring a goal or two.
So Sir Alex could be in big trouble.The solutioin could be to give Berbatov a chance to have a big night.
Berbatov was only good when he had Robbie Keane near him. He needs somebody to play with who can read him. A flicky striker who can bend his runs, Keane could anticipate what the Bulgarian wanted to do. Macheda can’t do that.
What Sir Alex should do tonight is go 4-4-2 with Nani in the Robbie Keane role. Nani wants to beat a man and shoot but he IS on the same wavelength as Berabatov.
United can’t plan to win 1-0 and go through on away goals. That scenario will never work.
So I’d play 4-4-2 and Obertan and give Rooney half an hour at the end. And maybe bring Giggs on.
This would be my outfield line-up : Neville Ferdinand Vidic Evra ; Park Fletcher Carrick Obertan; Nani, Berbatov.
When I thought about writing this piece, my first thought was : I fear for Man United, I really do. I think they could go out tonight.
No English teams in the semi-final of the Champions League? What a theme for the pundits and sport editors. We’ll be reading that and hearing it for the whole of April.
Reports say Wayne Rooney cycled round the training pitch yesterday. Then, when all the cameras left, Rooney played in a youth team practice game.
Did Sir Alex know about this, you ask. I hope he did.
The dismal way United played in Munich, and the way they played against Chelsea, when they lost 2-1 at home, have convinced me that they will do no better than draw tonight.
But if Bayern sit back and defend their 2-1 lead, they’ll lose. If Bayern sit back in the last ten minutes, they’ll lose.
It could be nerve-wracking. But when the final whistle goes, I know the result, I move on, go on to the next game. I do all my worrying before the game and during it.
I don’t stress after a game. Afterwards, what’s the point?
Draw a line under it.
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