5 Manchester United Weaknesses Other Teams Can Expose in 2014/15 Season
Manchester United’s last two games have been a thorough demonstration of both some very obvious strengths and very apparent weaknesses.
Although writing a list of United’s weaknesses goes against the grain, as opposition scouts hardly require the help, the truth is that many teams will already be aware of these weaknesses.
Louis van Gaal would be well advised to address these issues to avoid a repeat of United’s capitulation against Leicester City on Sunday. If not, Leicester will not be the last team to expose United’s vulnerabilities.
Lack of a Truly Functional Back 4
1 of 5
Contrary to much of what has been written, United actually have some very good defenders in their squad. However, what is clearly missing is a settled and functional back four (or five).
With all of United’s defenders barring Marcos Rojo and Tyler Blackett having spent time on the treatment table already this season, it has been very hard for Van Gaal to build a defensive platform.
That instability has helped to highlight the individual weaknesses that United’s defenders have, meaning they have rarely looked solid, even when keeping a clean sheet against Burnley and Queens Park Rangers.
Lack of Physical Presence in Midfield
2 of 5
The addition of Daley Blind and Ander Herrera has vastly improved the quality of United’s midfield, as was profoundly evident in the win over QPR and the first two thirds of the game against Leicester.
However, the final third of that game exposed the downside of having a team without a defining physical presence in midfield.
After Leicester equalised, Blind and Herrera tried to take the sting out of the game with a period of possession. However, in spite of both players’ excellent defensive qualities, the lack of presence caused a problem.
Sam Allardyce’s West Ham United are United’s next opponents and will be an excellent test of this issue.
It is likely that in the absence of an Arturo Vidal or Kevin Strootman type, the weakness will remain.
Lack of Leadership on the Pitch
3 of 5
Wayne Rooney’s red-faced tirade against his defensive colleagues in the aftermath of Leicester’s comeback highlighted the limitations of his brand of captaincy.
Rather than demonstrating contrition for his own error, which had gifted possession to Leicester in a dangerous position, Rooney berated his team-mates at the top of his lungs.
Whilst that may pass for leadership in some circles, it was demonstrably ineffective on Sunday, as United’s capitulation was compounded by a further two Leicester goals.
Other teams can take advantage of this by seizing the opportunity to shake United’s vulnerable morale when they have the upper hand.
Uncertainty over Attacking Roles
4 of 5
In spite of United’s abundance of talented attacking players, there is a good deal of uncertainty as to what the best combination of forwards is.
With Rooney called upon in attacking midfield ahead of Juan Mata against Leicester, what United added in physical presence they lost in guile.
It is not yet clear how the blend of Rooney, Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao will work, and it seems likely that playing all three of them will not be United’s best option.
In truth, there is so much quality there that other teams will still struggle to expose this weakness, but the very best defences may be able to exploit United’s still-developing attacking cohesion.
Lack of Composure
5 of 5
The combination of a young back four, a still uncertain system, a captain whose ability to exert calm is questionable and the scars of last season leave United’s side with a distinct lack of confidence and composure.
This was extremely evident against Leicester. Once a poor penalty decision went against them, United appeared to struggle for any kind of composure.
It is possible that when the new signings have had more time to jell, they will still find ways to exert their attacking brilliance.
However, the side’s collective lack of composure remains a significant exploitable weakness.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
