The last time Manchester United was part of the Champions league was their quarter final fixtures against Bayern Munich, whilst still under David Moyes’ management. Despite their appalling domestic league form, United surprised all by making it to the quarter-dinals but that’s where the road ended. Bayern Munich salvaged a 1-1 draw courtesy of Schweinsteiger’s goal (ironic I know) before being humbly thrashed 3-1 in Munich. But after a reasonably comfortable first leg win over Club Brugge in the play-off round, the big question is: Do they have what it takes this year to compete with the best in the Champions League?
Despite the good form United are currently in, it would be foolish to think that they’re unbeatable. Games against a sluggish Tottenham, a re-developing Aston Villa and underdogs Club Brugge were hardly challenging fixtures. That’s not to say United have no chance this season, but there are problems and underlying issues that must be solved if they are to compete against teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus or PSG.
They must sort out their goalkeeping issues
I have already said that I think Sergio Romero will make a fine keeper once he gets a bit more game time and gel’s with his back four a bit more. The problem here though is the uncertainty that he will get that game time. It’s been widely assumed that if David de Gea is not sold to Real Madrid this summer that he will return to being first choice keeper, while others feel he will sit out the remainder of his contract with Romero remaining in goal. This kind of indecisiveness is not good for either keeper right now as it messes with their heads & confidence and leaves them wondering where they stand with the club. United need to make a choice and stand by their man if they are to succeed this year.
The back four needs to be properly tested
The solid defence of Shaw, Smalling, Blind and Darmian has been nothing but praised during their first three games as a back four, and rightly so as they have allowed the opposition only six shots on target. But as I said earlier, they have yet to face a proper attacking team; how will this defence hold up if facing Ronaldo, Messi, Robben or other global superstars?
This defence needs to be stretched to its limits to see if it can handle life in Europe’s biggest club competition and I don’t think they can without a real commanding centre-back with experience and class. There’s still time to buy one.
They’re going to need more goals. A lot more.
Apart from Memphis’ two goals of pure beauty, United have looked unconvincing going forward. An own goal from Tottenham and a Januzaj shot just making it in off the post against Villa were the only goals separating each team. And United’s strikers don’t fill me with confidence as Rooney has looked slow and isolated as United’s lone centre-forward. He would perhaps be of more use & get more goals if he went back to playing as a number ten behind a quicker, younger, more confident striker.
Alas, United doesn’t currently have anyone in that category. Hernandez is nothing more than a goal poaching sub while Wilson is young and lacks any non-domestic experience. I also don’t feel that Mata is being utilised correctly as one of United’s wingers. Even though his passing and vision are very, very good, he is far too easily pushed off the ball and lacks the pace to be a real danger down the wing. Pedro would have been the answer to this problem before United did a 180 and changed their minds over the Spaniard. Compared to Memphis who looks like he is finding his stride & confidence and could be a great goal threat going forward, the others need to step up their game.
But it’s not all doom and gloom
When it comes down to it, these are all issues that can be resolved. van Gaal just needs to put faith in Romero as his number one keeper and give the new recruit time to shine. United’s back four is full of confidence, if they play as well as they have, they might be able to get the team through the group stages, maybe even past the round 16, but when the real dangerous teams start to step in, I just don’t think they have the skill to deal with it. As soon as they start making mistakes, their confidence will crumble and consequently so will their champions league hopes. They need a Ramos-like defender to hold the line when they’re being bombarded with dribbles and shots. Carrick and Schneiderlin will provide a comfy blanket for their defence, they should be adequate cover against most teams. Plus don’t forget Schweinsteiger has not only faced off against some of the best players the world has to offer but has won the competition already and will instill confidence and experience when commanding the midfield around the defence.
As for the forwards, they need to be utilised to their advantages. Wingers need to be the perfect mixture of pace, passing and goal potential, this is where Memphis and Januzaj have the potential to shine and cause real threat. The number ten role should be filled by Mata, who can provide lethal through balls to open up defences or Fellani, his brute strength allowing him to charge past defenders and win those aerial duels. And Rooney, well, he is the only man who can be at the tip of United’s attack, at least for the meantime, hopefully the more games he plays, he’ll rediscover his lethal finishing we have seen him produce year after year.
If all these issues can be seen to, I genuinely believe United have a real chance to impress this year in the Champions League. At the bare minimum I think they can make it back to quarter-finals, maybe further. They may not have as good a keeper as Bayern, as good a defence as Juventus or the lethal goal scoring prowess of Barcelona and Madrid. But they do have the United mentality, to be able to dig deep and pull potential out of them and remind everyone why Manchester United was one of the dominating teams in world football and can be again.
