IT'S no big secret that Alex Ferguson is partial to a drop of the strong stuff. However, if Mrs Ferguson has noticed the drinks cabinet is being emptied of its contents fairly rapidly of late, she need look no further than the performances of her husband’s side as for the reasons why.
Ever since the 4-1 capitulation at home to Liverpool, United have been on the slide. The 2-0 defeat at Fulham a week later did nothing to restore confidence, and while last weekend’s 3-2 victory over Aston Villa will be remembered for 17-year-old, Federico Macheda’s late winner, the truth is, Villa were mightily unfortunate to leave Old Trafford empty handed.
This recent poor run of form culminated in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at home to Porto in the Champions League, in which, again, United were lucky to come away with anything. Though injuries and suspensions to key players have certainly played their part in the recent slump, there are too many big players not performing, and at the business end of the season, that is what will worry Fergie most of all.
Cristiano Ronaldo has barely got going this season, and, at times, doesn’t even look interested, whilst Dimitar Berbatov, as Tommy Docherty recently claimed, “would get injured on A Question of Sport." It really is a mystery as to why Carlos Tevez doesn’t feature more regularly, and if he continues to find himself on the bench, who could blame him if he decides to seek a new challenge in the summer?
Ironically, for a club renowned and celebrated for its attacking culture, the champions’ most consistent performer has been a defender, Nemaja Vidic. United head to Porto next week facing the unenviable task of becoming the first English team to beat the Portuguese champions in their own backyard; on current form, you would have to say it looks unlikely.
Ever since the 4-1 capitulation at home to Liverpool, United have been on the slide. The 2-0 defeat at Fulham a week later did nothing to restore confidence, and while last weekend’s 3-2 victory over Aston Villa will be remembered for 17-year-old, Federico Macheda’s late winner, the truth is, Villa were mightily unfortunate to leave Old Trafford empty handed.
This recent poor run of form culminated in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at home to Porto in the Champions League, in which, again, United were lucky to come away with anything. Though injuries and suspensions to key players have certainly played their part in the recent slump, there are too many big players not performing, and at the business end of the season, that is what will worry Fergie most of all.
Cristiano Ronaldo has barely got going this season, and, at times, doesn’t even look interested, whilst Dimitar Berbatov, as Tommy Docherty recently claimed, “would get injured on A Question of Sport." It really is a mystery as to why Carlos Tevez doesn’t feature more regularly, and if he continues to find himself on the bench, who could blame him if he decides to seek a new challenge in the summer?
Ironically, for a club renowned and celebrated for its attacking culture, the champions’ most consistent performer has been a defender, Nemaja Vidic. United head to Porto next week facing the unenviable task of becoming the first English team to beat the Portuguese champions in their own backyard; on current form, you would have to say it looks unlikely.
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