Premier League reflections: Mancini looks out of his depth as Manchester United go top
Manchester City will lose the league rather than Manchester United win it, and Mancini looks to be responsible.
Image courtesy of WellOffside.com
Manchester United 2-0 West Brom as it happened
* He’ll probably stay, and with another summer to strengthen, Manchester City would start next season as favourites regardless of whether or not he finishes first or second this season. Manchester City have struggled away from home ever since they beat Manchester United 6-1. The weird thing isn’t the support from the fans or his owners (so far). The weird thing is that the press haven’t asked questions. Consistently poor in Europe with Inter, Manchester City have failed again. Having alienated his best player – or at least failed to get him playing for him for one final season, nobody has mentioned that as Manchester City stumble, Mancini only won leagues in Italy when his opposition was handicapped. Calciopoli had a huge effect, with relegations and handicaps hindering the competition for more than just the season the sanctions kicked in. While it secured Inter Milan an easy ride, it seems to have done the same for Mancini’s managerial career. This is his first proper challenge, and so far it hasn’t gone to plan. AN
* Roberto Mancini won his titles in Italy due to Calciopoli and was sacked by Inter for not doing anything in Europe. Jose Mourinho needed just the two years after replacing him. Now Mancini is making a pig’s ear of the easiest job in world football: despite unlimited funds, it’s taken him until his second full season to mount a title challenge, his side can’t win away, they’re second to a relatively weak Manchester United, out of both domestic cups, flopped in the Champions League and lost to Sporting Lisbon on Thursday. Plus he signed Edin Dzeko. Rumours are that Mourinho wants out of Real Madrid. You don’t need it spelling out for you. JS
* In most games Manchester United have struggled after their first goal. That was true to an extent today, but what was most striking was that at the end of the game, having heard the roar of the crowd, the players must have know that Swansea had taken the lead or equalised. The United players didn’t then try to kill the game as usual, but went in search of a third. Having shown little urgency for the most of the season, the players appeared to be going out of their way to put the pressure on Manchester City. AN
* According to Micah Richards, Manchester City “didn’t work hard enough” today. That is an alarming admission, and one that reflects as poorly on Roberto Mancini as it does on his players. Maybe it’s simply a professional’s preference, lack of application a more easily-remedied criticism than lack of quality, but nonetheless, it makes you wonder what on earth is going on. DH
* Manchester United have been a team built on defensive solidity for a while now. The days of the 1-0 Ronaldo victories built on the impenetrable Ferdinand-Vidic-Van der Sar axis may be gone, but they are still a side reliant on holding out at the back, in part to make up for the general chaos that frequently occurs in front of them. In that case, United have Jonny Evans to thank for their title challenge, who has been outstanding and brought consistency to his game as he’s had a run in the team. Vidic’s loss could’ve been critical, but thanks to the Northern Irishman, it’s barely affected them. CH
* Wayne Rooney has scored 9 goals in his last 5 games. Wayne Rooney has been bobbins in his last 5 games. It’s remarkable how many of Manchester United’s attacks break down due to his shoddy passing whilst dropped deep – the difference between this game and Bilbao (other than, admittedly, the quality of the opposition) was that with Scholes on the pitch, United can afford to waste attacks because another opportunity will be along soon. A geriatric he may be, but he is the only player Manchester United cannot do without. CH
