My Mark: United against Real ropes

With wing play deeply embedded into United’s DNA, the central midfield numbers game which is a pre-requisite to success in Europe usually goes out the window, although the durable and surprisingly adjustable Sir Alex Ferguson has sometimes sacrificed his wingers to that very end, including in away games against Cluj, Galatasary and Braga in the group stage this term.

Against Madrid, the irony is that if United are to be outnumbered and technically bettered in midfield their escape route should be the wings where they would ideally find some breathing space and the comfort of know-how.

Yet, like Pep Guardiola in that final at Wembley in 2011, Jose Mourinho is aware and will stifle those wings. And he might not have to do much considering the terrible form United’s wingers are in at the moment, and general shortcomings which include being one-dimensional and woefully predictable (Antonio Valencia), annoyingly inconsistent and devoid of the killer edge (Nani), limited in ability (Ashley Young). While deploying two wingers and two forwards against lesser opposition, United have severally got away with the thinness of midfield because of Wayne Rooney’s versatility, tactical awareness and willingness to plug holes up and down the pitch.

But even if Fergie blanked his wingers and played the numbers game in the middle, the weaknesses in United’s approach in this formation would still be glaring. Granted too much room for a man with such gifts, Ozil had the time and space to pick out Khedira against the French with deadly precision, and I couldn’t help but catch Patrice Evra on camera, shunning responsibility and hoping for an offside call which never came.

Evra’s folly represents United’s failure to adopt the culture of closing down spaces, pressing teams upfield, harrying opponents in possession, and then using the power of numbers as well as the quality and confidence of individuals to jealously guard possession once they have it. They instead retreat into deep positions, hoping to intercept that final pass or cut out the eventual cross, which in recent times has seen them finish games against Liverpool, Tottenham, Southampton and Fulham desperately hanging on for dear life.

Against the technical qualities of Ozila and co, the pressing and possession abilities of Xabi Alonso and Khedira, and the ruthless counter attacking prowess of that Madrid team, well …

Madrid are not in the kind of shape that won them La Liga as they broke every record last season, but with that determined, focused performance against Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey last week they put to rest any hope (on United’s part) that dressing room unrest will get in the way.

Under the circumstances, and regardless of what my United mates have said to me since December, my prediction was not that bold.

mmssali@yahoo.com