Manchester United Analysis: How Sir Alex Ferguson Lost Control..

Manchester United Analysis: How Sir Alex Ferguson Lost Control - On And Off The Pitch, To 'Typically German' Bayern
Lack of composure in midfield and loose chatter post-match mars Utd exit

Teams

    * Bayern Munich
    * Man Utd.

Players

    * Sir Alex Ferguson

By Matt Monaghan at Old Trafford

The Theatre of Dreams turned in to a living nightmare for Manchester United as a lack of composure saw them dumped out of the Champions League.

Tonight’s tie swung in Bayern Munich’s favour after Rafael da Silva’s impudent pull on Franck Ribery’s shirt saw him given his marching orders. The 3-2 victory on the night meant nothing as the Germans' tight grip on the ball saw them through on away goals.

United’s inability to retain possession and dictate the play has proved the critical factor in both legs. After barnstorming starts in both, an alarming lack of ball retention and capability to shut out a match has bitten them where it hurts, even with the excuse of being down to 10 men taken in to account.

Lionel Messi’s heavenly performance last night stole the headlines, but it was Pep Guardiola’s acumen in bolting the door that edged them decisively ahead of Arsenal. The harsh lessons from the first leg in London were heeded in winning fashion by the best team in the sport.

Such a move proved beyond the most experienced and decorate manager around, as Sir Alex Ferguson could not summon up the answer to his charges' second half ills.

Any thought of a European exit was firmly at the back of the minds of the vocal crowd at Old Trafford after Darron Gibson and Nani roared United in to a 2-0 lead. Bayern’s shellshock was not to last, and instead transferred to the hosts, after Ivica Olic again stabbed home to make it 3-1 just before the half time whistle.

During the United's record breaking 16-match unbeaten away run in the competition, seeing out a game had been their forte. All the faults apparent at San Siro in the previous round finally came to a head against the determined opposition organised by Louis van Gaal.

There was to be no let off in this tie for wayward passing. As the Champions League moves towards the finish, this sloppy approach was to be punished.

A harsh lesson was handed to the Red Devils by the Bundesliga table-toppers. Led by Mark van Bommel, their midfield’s ball retention was the difference even as United’s wingers shone. It was Bayern's star wingers who combined - despite otherwise unfancy showings from both - for a magical winning goal, with Ribery's corner being volleyed home by Robben.


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This, despite the fact Bayern's midfield is not one of particularly marked class or pedigree in controlling a game as would be expected from the likes of Michael Carrick playing for the opposition. United had a man advantage in the middle and rarely made it count.

Two-goal hero Nani and Antonio Valencia were a cut above. Either scoring or assisting, they proved they deserved to be in this company and more than matched Ribery and Robben in the battle of the wingers.

But many other key players didn't do their part in ensuring United, as a team, took control of proceedings when in such a dominant position. A semi-fit Wayne Rooney may have been targeted by Bayern, who also without question attempted to influence the referee in sending off Rafael, but United's problems went far beyond those dark arts, which were far from those necessarily associated with "typical Germans".

Sir Alex's post-match comments seemed to be those those of a manager consumed by misdirected anger. He may yet catch a backlash for them and perhaps rightfully so.

There may be better ways to claim a place in the Champions League final four than the way Bayern managed it tonight, but it was United who ran out of ideas and inspiration, and Bayern who forced their way past the finishing line. There certainly was no scandal.

Passing practice and strategy must now move to the top of Ferguson’s list of priorities if European hurt isn’t to transfer to the Premier League title chase. In the wake of an exit lacking composure and comments lacking such class, United now more than ever need to regain their control and quality - they can still make this a season to go down in history.

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Posted: at 8-04-2010 12:50 AM (14 years ago) | Hero

i told the man u fans abt these already so they ain't gat no choice than to take fate! The only jazz now is there are no english club remaining in the champions league. First of its kind since 2003!!!

Posted: at 8-04-2010 12:56 AM (14 years ago) | Newbie

You must be a chelsea fan, Sheenor

Posted: at 8-04-2010 07:55 AM (14 years ago) | Upcoming

Eish!! see them! Man u haters. At least we try pass arsenal and chelsea

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Posted: at 8-04-2010 06:49 PM (14 years ago) | Hero