The English premier league returned to our screens for our
viewing pleasure after the FA cup break with a whole lot of new drama. Of course,
we were stunned to witness the 4-0
pummeling of Manchester City at the hands of Everton at Goodison Park as Pep
Guardiola’s team continue to falter perpetually in the league and have now
fallen out of the top four. However, it was in the other Merseyside-Manchester
tussle staged at Old Trafford, that very interesting scenes really did unfold. Although,
the game ended in a 1-1 stalemate which makes it the first time such would
occur in the league since 1991/1992 season with both sides having played out a
corresponding goalless stalemate at Anfield in October.it was a pulsating game
which entertained from the blast of the whistle. Paul Pogba, Manchester United’s record
signing carelessly put his hands up in the danger area to make contact with the
ball and gave away a penalty with the Red devils in the ascendancy. It was duly
dispatched by James Milner and United had to chase the game forcing, Jose
Mourinho to go direct in the second half.
It is a known fact that Manchester United as a football
club, is one that cherishes the thrills of attacking football and Jose Mourinho
has adapted accordingly with the Red devils producing some scintillating performances
in the course of their 16 game unbeaten run. Performances inspired by the guile
of new signing, Henrik Mhikitaryan, Juan Mata, the rejuvenated Anthony Martial
and of course, the self - acclaimed god of Manchester, Zlatan Ibrahimovic ,
banging in the goals, it had been delightful to watch the 20 time champions
play in recent weeks. However, trailing after the break against Liverpool, Jose
Mourinho reverted to a more direct approach with United engaging a lot of long
balls and crosses to break down the resilient Liverpool defence. The approach paid off though, with Mourinho
sending on the dreaded Mauruane Fellaini, whose headed effort ricocheted back
of the post for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to head home off another cross from Antonio
Valencia. The big Swede has now equaled Robin Van Persie’s record of 14 league
goals in 20 league appearances and only behind Rud Van Nesterooy. However,
should Mourinho’s direct approach in the second half be questioned, seeing that
it is a deviation from the readily acceptable attacking flair with which
Manchester United teams are recognized?
In my opinion, the job of a coach is to win a game. It is
important to play attacking football, especially at the Theatre of Dreams, and
Mourinho has against most people’s expectations, succeeded in restoring that
identity to the team. They are very entertaining to watch and the vibrancy and
attractiveness of their game is there for all to see. However, it is important
that Mourinho has utilized his squad qualities to nick a result in an important
game. Trailing 1-0 at the break, and with the Reds making it nearly impossible
for United to successfully build up their play from behind as the defenders
were harried by Liverpool’s forwards, Mou decided to take advantage of the Merseysiders
vulnerability in the air by using the height of Fellaini and Ibrahimovic to
unsettle the reds back line. Now Liverpool could not easily cope with that. Rather
than build steadily, the Red devils decided to launch up to Fellaini and from there they
build up the attack and their equalizer came from an incredible aerial
situation. It is a matter of using what you have to get what you need. Although
it is not a really palatable result for
the Red devils, it is one that draws them closer to the most feasible objective
at the moment; the top four.
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