Manchester United: What Can Be Gathered From Their "Stellar" Showing at Anfield?

There is a bit of sarcasm in that title.

Seriously, though, Manchester United's performance at Anfield was absolutely dreadful. 

The best football analysts around can break down and pick apart the match all they want, but it came down to the simple fact that Liverpool was good and Manchester United was bad. 

The Red Devils made sure Kenny Dalglish had a very happy birthday by gifting him an easy victory for his beloved Liverpool.

There are plenty of traditional match reports on this past weekend’s fixture with commentary and player ratings all over the Internet right now.  However, United’s performance over the weekend begs to ask as well as answer quite a few questions that are beyond the guise of your standard recap.  

So let’s dig in (unlike United on Sunday) and discuss a few pressing issues for the Old Trafford outfit.

The media blackout was a good idea

Now a lot of people have voiced their disapproval for United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and his recent team-wide ban on all interviews with the media, even club operated MUTV.  However, following Sunday’s result, it was probably the best decision Ferguson made all day.

Ferguson has always been an ill-tempered individual, especially over the last 10 years. 

When he does not like a call on the field, nobody should be surprised these days when he stands up and heaves an expletive-laden tirade in the general direction of the referee or anybody who might listen. 

I can only imagine how he reacted as a child when his mother told him he could not have any pudding until he finished his meat.

Getting back on track, one of Ferguson’s biggest problems is that his anger carries over to the post-match interview.  By doing so, he gives the media the story they’re looking for and he always comes out of the situation looking like the worse for wear.

Quoting everybody’s favorite kung-fu fan-kicker, Eric Cantona, "When the seagulls follow the trawler, it's because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea. Thank you very much." 

Well, Ferguson’s latest media blackout is a less eloquent way of keeping the flock at bay.  It saves Ferguson, his staff, and his players the trouble of making any more comments that may get them in trouble with the Football Association and kills the media storm that follows bad results.

Yes, it is a rather lousy tactic that draws the ire of the opposition, but if Sir Alex Ferguson cared about what his detractors thought of him, he would’ve called it a day a long time ago.   

It’s not like this is the first time it’s happened, and it won’t be the last until the FA makes a clear ruling on the matter.  Since the FA is more unstable than the United boss’ temper,  Ferguson will continue to risk fines and touchline bans as long as he can get his point across, whether we like it or not.

Michael Carrick was given a new contract because...

United were seemingly nice enough to put one in front of him, but all is not what it may seem.

Michael Carrick was by far United's worse player against Liverpool on Sunday. 

He gave the ball away, his marking was terrible, he couldn't tackle and every time he touched the ball United seemed to stutter.  His performance during United's midweek defeat to Chelsea wasn't any better. 

Actually I can't recall him showing a glimpse of top form, let alone anything that could be considered average over the last few matches.

Now, Carrick has struggled with form this season, missing most of the current campaign's first half due to a nagging ankle injury.  With United's midfield struggling with injuries across all four positions in the last few months, he was essentially thrust back into the United line-up the minute he could jog without much discomfort.

United have won plenty of silverware with Carrick in the line-up (three Premier League titles, one Carling Cup trophy and one Champions League trophy), but his performances on the pitch dating back to the end of last season really don't warrant the new deal at first glance.

However, United probably has a strategy that would result into one of two scenarios:

1.  United hope by giving Carrick a new contract, they are showing good faith in him. 

Carrick will respond positively, especially as United's midfield gets healthy. 

At 29, he still has some legs underneath him and he is merely having a bad season.  Plus, if Paul Scholes chooses retirement at season’s end, then Carrick will provide veteran cover at United’s thin central midfield position.

2.  If it’s not the first scenario, then the contract is a safety cushion for United. 

Instead of losing Carrick to a possible free transfer this summer, he is now tied to the club until the end of the 2014 campaign. 

If he fails to regain his form or does not fit into the scheme of things in the near future, then United can recoup the signing bonus and then some via the transfer market. 

United will not be able to garner a return for him equal to what they paid Tottenham back in 2006 (£14 million plus incentives), but it will be better than nothing.

Whether it’s either scenario, remember that Michael Carrick has done what players like Juan Sebastian Veron, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Kleberson could not seem to do in a United uniform, like hold down a regular starting place and actually help the club win something. 

Hopefully it’s the first scenario and Michael Carrick can rebound from a bad stretch.  If not, United may want to make an inquiry with the Football Association about being able to push Owen Hargreaves around the pitch in a wheelchair.

Ferguson needs to switch back to the 4-5-1

United lining up at Anfield with a traditional 4-4-2 left many scratching their heads.  

The tactic worked great against woeful Wigan Athletic the previous weekend, but with a mounting injury list combined with United’s questionable form away from Old Trafford, a more defensive alignment seemed like the obvious choice for the trip to Anfield.

United have proven time and again that they are one of the best at going up against superior opponents (which Liverpool were on Sunday) on the road with a five man midfield and coming away with positive points. 

United got stretched during the second half of their mid-week defeat at Chelsea with the same alignment they used against Wigan, so why he would continue to deploy the tactic against a speedy Liverpool side is baffling.

United went into Anfield with an inexperienced partnership at the center of the defense in Wes Brown and Chris Smalling with Rio Ferdinand injured and Nemanja Vidic suspended. 

Rafeal being chosen ahead of John O’Shea was not a good decision in hindsight; the youngster’s poor tackling and ill tempered display did not help the United cause. 

O’Shea would’ve at least provided a more level headed and experienced individual for a vulnerable back line.

Ferguson was bold in his choice of a more attack-oriented formation against a much faster Liverpool side playing on their home turf. 

The exclusion of their best midfielder in Darren Fletcher (apparently due to illness) from the starting line-up in favor of the poor tackling combination of Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick was not a wise decision either.

With the title race winding down and Arsenal well within striking distance, United needs to hunker down more and go back to the basics. 

The back line will receive a boost with Nemanja Vidic back from suspension, while Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans should both be back in contention for the Red Devils’ FA Cup home tie with Arsenal this weekend. 

Ferguson needs to stop tinkering with the line-up this late in the season and go back to the formation that has won quite a few crucial matches in recent years.

United are down, but far from out

There are other talking points that can be drawn from the devastating loss at Anfield. 

Edwin Van der Sar and Paul Scholes really showed their age at times with both players clearly needing a break when there is none. 

Meanwhile, Nani gifting Liverpool an easy second goal followed by leaving the pitch in dramatic fashion after Jamie Carragher’s hard challenge was not a good sight. 

Will the United winger be on the sidelines for a spell or is it just a flesh wound?  Let’s hope for the latter.

Despite all of United’s negative press and poor displays on the field over the last week, they are still top of the table in the Premier League. 

They have a three point lead on title rivals Arsenal, who do have a game in hand at the moment. 

If both teams put on comparable performances over the next few weeks, the top flight title will come down to the last few games of the season, starting with Manchester United making a trip to the Emirates in May.  (United have a three goal lead in the goal differential department as well.)

On a side note, Arsenal and United will probably see a lot each other over the coming weeks.  As previously mentioned, they will meet this weekend at Old Trafford for the Sixth Round of the FA Cup.  Plus there is a good chance they could meet up in the Champions League if both sides advance to the quarter-finals. 

Either way, every match played from here on out will be crucial for Manchester United in all competitions. 

It will be incredibly disappointing if they don’t walk away with at least one trophy by the end of May. 

You can bet that Sir Alex Ferguson will say something profound or controversial between now and then.