United continue to struggle with Aerial Threat, McNair Debut, Rooney sent off, Luke Shaw Impresses

There couldn’t have been two more contrasting halves of football than today when Manchester United played West Ham at the Theatre Of Dreams.  

United opened up the the scoreline early with a beautiful delivery from Rafael which Wayne Rooney steers into the far post off a half volley.  Then Robin Van Persie scored his 50th goal for Manchester United, getting a beautiful through pass from Falcao, to put the shot away in the far post just inside the penalty box.  

But West Him responded with a corner, De Gea mistimed his punch and Robin Van Persie headed the ball right off the line, only to head the ball straight to Diafra Sakho, who headed the ball straight back into the net.

Second half would see the tide turn on Manchester United In the 59th minute, Wayne Rooney  kicks one of the West Him players straight in the groin, he was sent off immediately and United were down to 10 men.  This would be United’s second straight red card in 2 weeks.  Rooney would be suspended for the game against Everton on the 6th of October.  

Some say Rooney being sent off might bring on new leaders in this Manchester United squad and let’s hope that is the case.  Darren Fletcher came on for Falcao and Antonio Valencia came on for Ander Herrera who came off injured.  From that point on, United were parking the bus, headed out any all that was crossed into the box.  Robin Van Persie had a great chance which was delivered by Angel Di Maria, but the goalkeeper got to the ball first and punched it away.

Paddy McNair still did a decent job in central defense, he was the played who headed a ball behind for a corner which prevented West Ham from equalising in the second half.  He was praised by manger Louis Van Gaal during a post match interview for his effort on his debut.

Luke Shaw was certainly the bright spot for Manchester United at the back as he put in critical challenges an showed that he is capable of pushing the ball up the pitch and initiate the attack.  But the number of passes that have been cycled at the back is slightly excessive, at times allowing West Ham to put pressure on the United defence.  

It the first half with Luke Shaw going forward, United always looked a threat, West Ham’s defence was stretched and there were massive gaps that were in the middle of the park, allowing the likes of Rooney and Van Persie create the goals.

It was a hard fought win at the end for Manchester United, but the Centre back position still  remains a concern.  United are fortunate that they are play mid table sides at the moment, when it comes to the top teams, it is likely that United will struggling and might need to park the bus or play  once again or play counter attacking football with ball pressure to compensate for the defensive weaknesses in the squad at the moment.  It is best for United to play a 4231 formation with Blind and Carrick as the two defensive midfielders.  Di Maria and Januzaj on either wing with Falcao as a lone striker.  With two defensive midfielders, United would do a better job at defending the long balls and counter attacks.

Make sure you stay tuned for episode 4 of Fix #MUFC, where I will talk about United’s tactics in this week’s match and how they will adapt losing Wayne Rooney and Ander Herrera.