Manchester United still strong still favourites
Manchester United started the 2010-2011 English Premier League as second favorites to the defending champions http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786. There were no major overhauling done to the squad, apart from two new signings; the rookies Javier Hernandez ‘Chicharito’
and promising center back http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chris-c9006 Smalling who joined from Fulham.
With other teams, like Tottenham and Manchester City, spending on high profile names; the 2010-2011 season promised an exciting challenge for the top four spots.
With half the season gone so far, there have been many questions raised over the form of Manchester United, but at the end of the day, one only needs to look at the Premier League table and United have ended 2010 as the League leaders.
United are on the same points with arch-rivals Manchester City with two games less and they are the only unbeaten team in the season so far. They do not have squad players who can be compared to the likes of Cantona, Keane, Beckham, Schemeichel and Cole, all
of whom were part of the Treble winning team of 1998-1999.
Still, United are the top scorers in the League with a tally of 41 goals to date. The defence is the backbone of the Red Devils, having kept 10 clean sheets in 21 games so far. Let us analyze United’s performance in all areas of the pitch.
At the back, they have been tight as usual, giving away only 19 goals so far. Veteran Edwin Van Der Sar at the age of 40 is still one of the best goalkeepers. Their preferred center back partnership of new skipper http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nemanja-Vidic-c27550 and Rio
Ferdinand is unarguably one of the best in the game. Ferdinand has started finding his feet after a long lay off from injuries, Vidic has been in phenomenal form at the heart of United’s defence. The Serb has proved for the captaincy band given to him this
season.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Patrice-Evra-c29231 has commanded his left back position with sound displays on consistent basis. Rafael Da Silva has established himself as the first choice right back this season with some sound displays, but the Brazilian does make some mistakes
due to his lack of experience.
In the middle of the park, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Paul-Scholes-c29394.
Micahel Carrick and Paul Scholes have also done decent jobs in the midfield, but I have my concerns over Michael Carrick’s talent. He was signed as the one to replace the great Roy Keane, but he is nowhere near to the former captain. Anderson’s
form has been a revelation this season, he has performed consistently and has been a surprise package. He has caused not only selection headaches for Alex Ferguson but also tactical dilemmas. With the great form, the Brazilian is showing, Fergie is forced
to play with a 4-5-1 formation which means Dimitar Berbatov the leading scorer of the EPL has to settle for a place on the bench.
On the wings are Nani, Obertan, the evergreen Ryan Giggs and Duracel battery of Ji Sung Park. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ryan-Giggs-c31985 looks fitter than ever and shows no signs of fading, while
Ji Sung Park, the unsung hero of Old Trafford, is consistent as ever, producing solid displays with bundles of energy.
Spearheading the attack this season have been http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wayne-Rooney-c36736 and the young Mexican Javier Hernandez. Berbatov has taken the responsibility in the absence of Rooney who has struggled with injuries and lack of form this season.
The Bulgarian is the top scorer in the league so far. Hernandez has truly been one of the signings of the season, the Mexican has won comparisons with the legend Ole Gunner Solksjaer; his pace and movement have given the opponents a tough time.
In short, United have been decent so far but the away form remains a concern for them. Their history of post-Christmas performances makes them undisputed favorites for the League and who knows that they can also match The Invincible of
Arsenal in the 2003-2004 season.
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