Passport To Defeat?
Why does collecting a passport invite defeat for United’s players?
Sir Alex’s will send out a team of internationals against Sporting Lisbon tonight. These players have won titles and are all experienced at the highest level. Individually, some are counted among the greatest performers in Europe. Collectively, more often than not, they stink when playing Champions League football on the road.
It makes no sense. Neither does the startling fact that United have won only two of their last 14 on their travels in this competition. How can this be? This is Manchester United!
Understanding is offered by the safety-first tactics United tend to employ on European nights away from Old Trafford to disastrous effect.
To the cheers of the opponent, coach Carlos Queiroz insisted that United would maintain this strategy against Sporting Lisbon. “We are going to play a cautious game because we respect Sporting,” he said. “However, we will play with ambition because we want to collect the three points.
“This is not the best time to face Sporting. This is not our best moment and this is also the first group stage match. But hopefully we can get the result we want.”
Amen! But isn’t this the same tactical plan that has delivered so little away from home? Admittedly, the team made it to the semi-finals of the competition last year but did it the hard way. Their was a timidity to the play. Rooney started out on the wing in away matches. One striker up front was an admission of fear. When disaster stuck, Sir Alex and his players were left looking at each other open mouthed in disbelief.
The manager blamed naivety and spent £20 million addressing the flaw with the the recruitment of Owen Hargreaves. Inevitably, when United start the game tonight, the midfielder will be watching on television.
Ferguson also brought in Carlos Tevez as the type of clever striker who would profit in tight European matches. The Argentine will bring energy and class to his first Champions League game but a poor recent scoring record too. he badly needs a goal. What a story it would be if Tevez started out on the goal trail this evening.
Against such disappointment and concern, there is hope for United. Injuries and form should mean that the team picks itself.Patrice Evra should be at left back. The options for a dull stiffening of the midfield have been reduced by injuries to Fletcher and O’Shea. If Ferguson resisted Rooney’s recall against Everton, he has every incentive to hold back the striker again tonight. That should mean Tevez and Saha up front. Any other pairing and the sense of déja vu will be enormous.
United can take hope too from the last time they visited Portugal. On that September 2006 night, Benfica were the oppponents. United performed dismally but returned with a victory thanks to a stupendous Louis Saha goal.
More of the same please.
