Manchester United to win trophy- I don't think so.....

I followed an argument between two Manchester United fans (rare I know). One was saying they will win at least two trophies while the other was saying he has no hopes of a trophy or that if Manchester United win a trophy Lady Luck will have smiled upon them. I then thought of that argument...who is right?

I have watched United's first three games and while it may be too soon to judge I think the second guy was right. I don't reckon that Manchester United have a chance at a trophy this season.

I will start by pointing out that they have a superb striking force. Robin van Persie is world class (it really pains me to say this), Wayne Rooney is amazing too, he can score all sorts of goals, Danny Welbeck has massive talent and is developing into a lethal target man and finally Javier Hernandez is a great finisher, a world class poacher. This means that goals will be abundant for the Manchester team.

I may say that that is where Manchester's top quality ends this season. Last season United's undoing was the midfield. Everyone was expecting Sir Alex Ferguson to invest in at least three midfielders. He brought in one, Shinji Kagawa. Kagawa is a massive talent and will fit in well into the team. The problem is that he plays the role just behind the main strikers and SAF brought in van Persie as well. This means that Rooney will play the same role as Kagawa or push Kagawa out of position or one of them will be benched. The first match van Persie was benched (lost 1-0), the second match Rooney was benched (Won 3-2 undeservedly) and in the third match saw an injured Rooney miss out. The midfield at Man-United is a weal link. Scholes and Giggs are old, Nani is unhappy, Young is under-performing, Cleverly needs more time to develop his talent, Carrick has become rather over-used. Valencia is apart from the rest in midfield with very fine performances but one man alone cannot link the whole mid-field section. In short Man-United's midfield is short.

The defense is not even weak, it is absent (these are not my words by the way, words of a Manchester United fan). In the first match, the defense was physically absent due to injuries which saw Carrick play at center back and Valencia fill in at right back. They lost the game. In the next two matches, Manchester United conceded 4 goals...2 in each respective game. The goals came from poor defense. The defense is porous and easy to pass. Vidic has still not returned to full form yet following a long spell of injury, Rio doesn't look too great either, Rafael cannot defend to save his life..he constantly moves upfront and forgets to fall back and his tackles are rather wanting while Evra has just grown old-his pace has diminished, his tackles are not so strong and he is quickly caught on the counter attack. Alex Buttner is set to start against Wigan in place of Evra. I will not make judgements about him yet as I haven't watched him, but new boys usually have a hard time adjusting to the pace of the EPL. Phil Jones is out injured and so is Chris Smalling. If any defender is injured Manchester will be stretched thin.

Therefore, goals Manchester United will score and goals they will also receive. Most people (even Manchester fans) will agree that the last two results were sheer luck and totally undeserved. Against better defending teams Manchester will not make it as the case was with Everton. Last season they missed it on goal difference, this year will be worse.

There is however the January transfer window and a bit of luck.

Till next time..........