Football Update: English Premier League- Losers of the second weekend (Part 3)
Manchester United’s draw with Fulham also characterized some of the deficiencies in Javier Hernandez’s game. Javier at the moment is quite a reminder of what Michael Owen was in the early stages of his career. The two point difference between Chelsea and Manchester United right now is probably not that much of a problem because it is still early days in the season.
However, one thing that must be stressed is that Manchester United’s supposedly big summer signing was too quiet at the weekend. With Fulham playing a deep line just outside of their penalty area rather than higher up the field. Javier’s role was nullified immediately. Hernandez prides himself on running in behind the defence; he feeds off through balls and is also known to be very good in the air. Against Fulham, due to their deep defensive line, Hernandez was not able to impress but was most disappointing for Sir Alex and Manchester United’s fans was that with their striker’s back to the goal, he was almost anonymous.
Maybe, it would have been more sensible for United’s long standing manager Ferguson to give Hernandez his full debut at a much easier location than Craven Cottage, where United have lost their last two league matches. A much better option would have been to start the young Chicharito against Newcastle United in the red devil’s season opening game, rather than the half fit Wayne Rooney. A lot people thought Hernandez would be essential to Manchester United’s bid to finish at the top of the league table come May 2011 but after the young striker’s display against Fulham, certain pundits may very well be reviewing their predictions.
Another Manchester United player, who lost quite a lot over the weekend, was Michael Carrick. Carrick has been on the bench for United’s two games of the English Premier League so far. After his shambolic performance against Bayern Munich at Old Trafford in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, Michael was come under buckets full of criticism from everyone in England and beyond. With his club career at a standstill, Carrick was a part of Capello’s 2010 FIFA World Cup squad for the English national team but the midfielder failed to register an appearance at the tournament in South Africa as well.
Ever since that infamous evening in April against Munich in Manchester, Michael Carrick has surprisingly not started a single game for the red devils. Maybe it is a sign of things to come for the English international. Carrick’s place in the Manchester United starting line up looks inauspicious because Darren Fletcher and Paul Scholes are currently playing quite well in tandem. However, later on as the season enters into its full stride with UEFA Champions League commitments coming thick and fast for United, it is possible that the out of favour midfielder will be given another chance.
For Carrick’s future, it is vital that he grabs that opportunity with both of his hands because not only does his career’s stagnation at the club level signal doom for him. It also means that he will not be in contention for a place in England’s national team squad come the European Championships of 2012, if he doesn’t play regular football.
A team which most probably emerged as the new relegation contender from the weekend was Stoke City. Admittedly, with some help of the referee, Spurs did escape from the Britannia with all three points. If any team has to achieve something in the English Premier League, it is fundamental for them to take maximum points from their home games, if not maximum then the most achievable. Since January 2010, Stoke City have just beaten Hull City and Blackburn on their home ground, The Britannia Stadium. Was it satisfactory home form? Not at all.
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