Manchester United: 5 Things They Must Do To Hold Off Arsenal
Manchester United are well on their way to winning a record-breaking 19th English League title. They currently sit atop the league table with a four-point lead over title rivals Arsenal. Both teams have 11 league matches to play from here on out, with a decisive showdown between the two at the Emirates in May.
United has weathered off the field distractions and quite a few injuries to put together a solid season. Despite fielding what is considered by many to be one of the weakest squads since the early years of the Sir Alex Ferguson era, the Red Devils overtook Chelsea as league-leaders just before the season's halfway mark and have not relinquished the top spot since.
There's still a lot of matches left on the schedule, though, and Arsenal are by no means out of the title race. Ferguson recently stated that it's now a two-horse race between United and the Gunners until season's end. So, we are going to take a look at a few things United should do in order to regain the Premier League title while holding off rival master-mind, Arsene Wenger, and his dangerous young Gunner squad.
Related Article: Arsenal: 5 Things They Must Do Overtake Manchester United
If you are interested in the relegation battle at the other end of the table, then check out my analysis on the teams involved at this link: 2010/11 English Premier League Relegation Roundup: Who Will Survive?
5. Worry about Winning, Not about Breaking Records
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For a good stretch of the season, United was battered with comparisons to an Arsenal side that went undefeated while winning the Premier League back in 2004. Although that legendary Gunner side well-warranted the title of 'The Invincibles' as a nickname for a club that went without a defeat for a record 49 league matches; such a feat would have gone unnoticed if they hadn't won any kind of silverware during that time.
The straw that broke the camel's back finally came earlier this month, with the Red Devils' disappointing display against a relegation-worried Wolves side that resulted in a 2-1 away defeat. No one likes to lose, especially a title hungry club against a subpar side, but for United, the defeat should be seen as a relief from media pressure.
However, the club will be under even more pressure if they maintain their current standings in the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League as the weeks grind on. They will be badgered with comparisons to the infamous Treble-winning United side of 1999, so the recent first tally in the loss column should allow United to focus on winning without the pressure of joining Arsenal in the record books. A nice nickname like, lets say: "The Untouchables," would have been nice and all, but a 19th English top flight title would be even better.
4. Win on the Road
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Despite being nowhere near the league's worse, United's record away from Old Trafford is not too impressive with only three wins against eight draws and one loss. Manchester has been spectacular at home with 13 wins and a single draw against a feisty West Bromwich side back in October.
United has had no problem scoring goals away from home but have struggled with holding off their opponents until the final whistle. One prime example was blowing a 2-1 lead against Fulham back in August. The allowance of a game-tying header by Fulham defender Brede Hangeland (redeeming himself for an own goal earlier in the match), followed by Nani missing a game-winning penalty was the beginning of a stretch several draws away from home . The worst of those was a 3-3 draw against Everton in September where United was leading 3-1 before allowing two goals in injury time to let what looked like an assured victory slip away.
Manchester must avoid dropping points on the road, especially against weaker sides. They have a tough test over the next week with back-to-back away matches against Chelsea and Liverpool. Wins against these two sides are vital, since defeat would allow Arsenal to easily close the gap and possibly overtake United at the top of the table. With more than half of United's remaining matches are away from home from here on out, including the previously mentioned meeting with Arsenal near season's end, every three points gained away from the safety of Old Trafford will go a long way towards securing the title.
3. Get Healthy
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United have been hit with a string of injuries lately, especially to the central part of the pitch, with Darren Fletcher the only midfielder on the club with 20 or more appearances this season. Paul Scholes has struggled with injuries for good parts of the season, with Brazilian midfielder Anderson stepping up in his absence before a recent knee injury ruled him out for the next few weeks. With the addition of Owen Hargreaves (pictured) embarrassing and drawn out injury saga, United has been forced to partner Fletcher with Michael Carrick and Darron Gibson recently, with neither meeting expectations.
The situation on the wings is not much better, with Ryan Giggs, Antonio Valancia and Park Ji-Sung all out of the squad due to injury at the moment. This leaves Sir Alex Ferguson with only one proven attacking winger in Nani. Recent signings Bebe and Gabriel Obertan have been nothing short of terrible when given chances. The quick recovery of more experienced midfielders will be essential to United winning games down the stretch with the lesser talents not impressing when they are given the chances.
Defensively, United are pretty sound, with new-signing Chris Smalling impressing alongside captain Nemanja Vidic with both Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans struggling with another set of injury spells on the sideline at the moment. Meanwhile, United has stayed pretty healthy up top, with the usually-injured Michael Owen the only exception.
Currently, Paul Scholes has started to return to the first team, while Rio Ferdinand is suppose to be in the running for a return against Liverpool this coming weekend. With Park, Giggs, Anderson and Valencia all reported as being fit for selection within the next two to three weeks, Ferguson should have quality players at his disposal for the club's remaining matches.
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2. More Goals from the Midfield
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United has gotten a good return from their attacking players this season. Berbatov is the league leader with 19 goals scored, with new-boy Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez and playmaker Nani both contributing nine league goals apiece. Wayne Rooney has underperformed for most of the season, with only six league goals but has been start to show signs of life in recent matches but has contributed 10 assists leading up to today's match against Wigan. Michael Owen is, well, Michael Owen.
However, with the exception of Nani, United's midfield has struggled to find the back of the net during the current Premier League campaign. Park Ji-Sung displayed some of the best form of his United career with four goals in eight matches during the last two months of 2010. Sadly, a commitment to appear in the Asian Cup for South Korea last month disrupted his contributions to United. An injury sustained in training upon his return to the club earlier this month added to an already growing injury list.
If any of United's few attacking talents get injured or suffer a drop in form, goals form their midfield will be a blessing. If some combination of Scholes, Giggs, Park, Anderson or Valencia can get healthy and provide some extra scoring support, United will find it much easier to keep up with the Gunner's more balanced attack.
1. Win Against Arsenal in May
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If both teams maintain their respective forms into May, then the clash at Emirates stadium at the beginning of the month could possibly decide the title. Manchester's final two matches (barring anymore rescheduling) are away to a Blackburn side that they have already routed earlier this season and home against a feisty yet over-matched Blackpool side. Meanwhile, Arsenal finish the season at home against a stronger Aston Villa side followed by an away fixture to London-based rivals, Fulham.
Since United's last two fixtures are the least challenging (at least on paper) of the two title rivals, a victory at Arsenal beforehand would make regaining the Premier League title that much easier. United also has a distinct advantage in the goal differential department, so a tie or loss would not kill their chances, but the win would go a long way towards preserving their title hopes.
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