Newly promoted Huddersfield Town, will remember the afternoon of the 21st of October 2017, for a very long time. Two first half goals were enough to see off an out of sorts United, at the John Smith’s stadium, in Yorkshire. Huddersfield, who had started to stumble of late after their impressive opening three games, put the Red Devils to the sword. Inflicting United’s first defeat of the season. Even a Marcus Rashford goal was not enough to save a point.
Since the Premier League began, Manchester United have catapulted themselves into a global phenomenon. Fans from all over the world have had the ability to be able to watch their beloved team in whichever time zone they may be situated. The growth of social media and television packages, have enabled people to be more in time with the current affairs of the club, both on and off the field. The problem with this is that while for all the good things that happen, United are always only ever one defeat away from a crisis. A club in meltdown. Some examples to follow.
Even when Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge, if the team had not won in two or three, their would be media outlets calling for change, the boss has lost the dressing room, etc etc. A six or seven game winning run would then cool that talk, until the next blip on the landscape. In a time when managers are lucky to get even four games in charge ( Frank de Boer ) , the press and social media are hungry for the next sacking.
The moment I saw Lingard I knew we won’t make it
— Alhaj Small jnr?? (@PrinceBanbeo) October 21, 2017
During Jose Mourinho’s first spell at Chelsea, the boss steered his team to a blistering start, until they went away to an out of sorts Newcastle United. Chelsea lost their first game of the season that day but soon went on another blistering run, culminating in a trophy lift on the pitch of Stamford Bridge, come what May.
United now need to show some real grit. But lets not get too carried away. Its true that leagues are not won in October, but they can in fact be lost. Last season United had a similarly decent start, only to fall away at the same time the leaves were falling from the trees in Autumn.
Like i mentioned earlier, the problem with social media is that it gives people a platform. A platform of which they can air their views to the world. Now lets understand that everyone has an opinion and a right to choose whichever club to support they like, but some of the comments I have read in the last twelve hours are boarding on ridiculous.
Never felt this bad since the moyes regime. I hope we pick ourselves up and start getting results quick.
— IYAWO MARTIAL (@Nazygold2) October 21, 2017
Manchester City went off like a train last season. Ten games gone and people were already giving them the title, until a few injuries and results went against them and the proverbial wheels fell off around Christmas time. This is when the cold nights draw in and players are expected to play nearly every other day over the festive period.
Chelsea managed to find a way to get past Watford yesterday but its clear to see that them being in European competition this season is going to be more of a problem then last year. United also had European exploits of their own, except this season the standard of opposition is much higher. A higher intensity is required to win or get something out of the games. This then rolls over into the following league matches and with United a little light in midfield at the moment, the legs are looking a little jaded.
Nemanja Matic, a revelation since signing from Chelsea, cant do everything on his own. Carrick, Pogba and Fellaini, all sidelined at the same time, posing problems for the manager and how he wants to play. In the few games that Herrera had missed at the start of the season, United were free flowing and scoring for fun. Since the Spaniards re emergence in the team, results and free flowing football, have both dried up.
There’s a lot to be said for attitude in football. United are soft. All this dancing & messing about is fun… but it’s not winner mentality
— Drawty Devil (@DrawtyDevil) October 21, 2017
Gutless, spineless, toothless. Definitely not how you expect United to play away to a newly promoted side. Inexcusable.
— The Man Utd Way (@TheManUtdWay) October 21, 2017
Now here’s the thing: win lose or draw, we shouldn’t get carried away with either a win or defeat. Yes its nice to win but unfortunately in sport, you cant win every time. Lets just get back behind the team and hope its a minor blip in an otherwise successful season. Mourinho has got this covered, do you really think he would of been happy about yesterday? Them players may not of got the old fashioned hair dryer like Sir Alex, used to give out, but he would certainly have let them know that his and their own standards, were not met.
Glory Glory Man United, as the reds go marching on on on! Up the f***ing reds.