United's Defensive Circus Key to Title Destination

When people refer to the circus, it is often to marvel at the sheer number of acts and performances that decorate the stage, wowing fans and spectators who delight at such feats of acrobatic entertainment.

Sadly, the circus can also depict a world of immense disorder and frenetic activity. It signifies an environment devoid of leadership, organisation, and temperament—all necessary qualities for sports teams to succeed in winning trophies or avoiding defeat.

There's an old adage in America that for an NFL team to win the Super Bowl, its bid must be based on a sound defensive front. Too often, teams have their playoff hopes discredited because fans fervently believe that "defence wins championships."

And they are right. In the world of the sports, there is no circus-like activity disrupting the team from obtaining key targets. Successful franchises are built on strong foundations that have a common goal that each member sets out to achieve. For a team's defence to shut down its opponents, each player must follow certain assignments and work together in a complete fabric of unity and togetherness.

The Super Bowl winners of recent times have pushed themselves to victory by snuffing out the offensive power of opposing teams. They all worked together, relying on the leadership of key individuals and a dedication to frustrate the opposition into making mistakes in wars of attrition. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, New York Giants, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers were able to taste success and claim their Super Bowl rings by limiting space and making key plays when it counted.

Even last weekend, the New Orleans Saints managed to send Louisiana into delirium by ensuring victory by a timely Tracy Porter interception that was converted into a touchdown.

The Saints victory over the Colts—which will no doubt guarantee that Mardi Gras lasts at least until Christmas—was a far cry from previous seasons, when the team often missed the playoffs or fell short when it mattered. They just couldn't stop the opposition from racking up points, forcing Drew Brees and Company to try to rescue wins.

It was only until the Saints recruited defensive coordinator Gregg Williams that the Saints began to emphasise placing pressure on the quarterback and maintaining good coverage.

As the Premier League descends into its final months, it is clear that if Manchester United are to reap the spoils, they must do so by being as impregnable as Super Bowl champions, shoring up their weaknesses and producing a settled back-line that inspires confidence, leadership, and unity in the face of tough challenges and adversity.

Many of United's previous titles have been built on stout defensive units. The partnerships of Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister, Jaap Stam and Ronny Johnsen, and Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have come to epitomise the leadership and strength that is required of a dominant rearguard.

Because of the outstanding performance of Wayne Rooney, much of the attention has been swayed away from United's defence—which, at times, has performed under significant pressure.

United's ability to field their first-choice defenders has been hampered by several injuries to key defensive players. Several fringe players have regularly been called up to patch gaping holes left by notable absentees.

At right-back, United have been forced at times to use the inexperienced Richie de Laet and Fabio, as well as midfielder Darren Fletcher to replace Rafael da Silva and John O'Shea, who have both succumbed to injuries during the season.

And the injuries don't stop there. Like a never-ending conveyor belt, United have required the services of Jonny Evans, Wes Brown, and Gary Neville to cover for long-term absentees Ferdinand and Vidic.

Only Patrice Evra has avoided the injury bug, and he remains the team's highest-capped player this year, appearing in every game.

Oh, how United must rue selling Gerard Pique. The Spaniard has improved greatly with first-team opportunities at Barcelona, even winning a Champions League medal at the expense of his former employers in May 2009. His partnership with experienced veterans Carlos Puyol, Rafael Marquez, Dani Alves, and Gabriel Milito has inspired confidence—and thus, accelerated his development.

United's initial defensive frailties were exposed in several uncharacteristic defeats incurred prior to the Christmas program. A loss at home to Aston Villa and an away defeat to Fulham revealed a soft undercoating that threatened to undermine their title challenge and place added pressure on Rooney, Antonio Valencia, and Ryan Giggs to fashion enough chances to convert goals.

The success of Villa and the Cottagers was easily determined. Once United's makeshift defence was put under consistent pressure, they conveniently folded.

Poor defensive performances were expected of a United team trying to acclimatise to the loss of Ferdinand to a worrying back problem and Vidic's own little niggles.

United, though, pressed on. The burgeoning partnership of Evans and Brown suffered its own share of growing pains at first, but it has since blossomed into a relatively formidable pairing.

The combination of youthful Evans with the experienced head of Brown was demonstrated in the recent victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. The two managed to keep Andrey Arshavin quiet, limiting the Gunners to relatively few chances.

Much of United's improved defensive ability can also be attributed to a brave, committed midfield that seems willing to track back to help the defence, particularly when United find themselves subjected to the counterattack. Fletcher and Michael Carrick have been United's best midfield pairing this season, providing necessary tackles to break up plays and spring attacks through quick, accurate passes.

United's midweek draw with Aston Villa was a testament not just to their superb attacking abilities, but also the defence's ability to withstand pressure and cope with the ill-fated circumstances of Nani's dismissal.

There is further hope for the future. Ferdinand and Vidic are nearing their returns to the side following individual suspensions and injuries. Ferdinand, in particular, looked back to his formidable best in Manchester United's Carling Cup victory over rivals City, and he should improve his fitness ahead of the World Cup Finals once he returns.

That being said, there are some causes for hesitation. United's ability to maintain clean sheets will no doubt be dependent upon the entire back-line working as a unit. Because of injuries, there has been little cohesion in a lineup that has been far from settled. Rafael, Evans, Brown, and Evra have performed well, but once England's new captain and his Serbian colleague return to the fold, that will be yet another alteration.

United must work to ensure this transition is a success. At some point, Rooney will be rested in order to preserve him for the rest of the campaign, and United will have to rely on their defensive stalwarts to ease the pressure on Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov as they come to terms with Rooney's brief absences.

The Saints won their Super Bowl title by improving their defensive credentials. It is clear that United will have to follow suit if they are to taste similar success in winning their record fourth league title. If United are to overcome the challenge of Chelsea and Arsenal this year, then they must avoid the defensive circus that has played a significant role in their title challenge.

This season's title will be a war of attrition, and it will be down to United's ability to form a sound and settled defensive front rather than their attacking exploits, which will decide whether they emerge as victors or apologetic losers come May.