Attacking Problems at Manchester United

Alright, all footie fans?!

Before the season started, I was convinced Manchester United were going to be the greatest attacking side of all time.

Yes, better than the Brazil team of the '70s or the Arsenal "invincibles." I mean, how couldn't we be with Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, and the newly acquired Dimitar Berbatov from Spurs?

Four months down the line, we have only scored a mediocre 27 goals in 16 matches (less than two per game). We have had more 0-0s than the last few seasons put together (Aston Villa, Spurs, Villareal twice).

But the point I am trying to make goes further than pure statistics. It goes to the story of moany arse, a bulldog angry on the bench added to a misfiring world football player of the year and a constantly sidelined "white Pele." Here are my ratings of the United strikers this season.

Dimitar Berbatov

Where to start? Well, on Aug. 31, when all us red devils stayed up for hours watching Berbatov arrive in Carrington, having medicals, walking across the glass front of Old Trafford, and beating City to his signature, we all cherished the new Cantona. But was this greed? Did we really need him?

Let's look at how many goals he has scored this season for us: a couple of dodgy offside scores against Celtic and a goalie howler against AaB. That's it! He looks lazy. Even yesterday against Spurs, the crowd got to him and he disappeared. Is he worth the 39 million pounds we spent on him? Not so far! But let's give him the time to get it right; otherwise, it could be a sad flop.

Ronaldo

Now Ronaldo, to be fair, has scored nine goals or so, but he always makes me feel he isn't enjoying the pissing rain all the time and would be happier in the white of Madrid (apart from the fact they are rubbish!).

He doesn't have that same oozing confidence from last year that landed them all those awards. He falls over to much and, like Berbatov, looks lazy. He still makes things happen, though—like his free kicks against Stoke, for example—so he will never be dropped like other players.

Wayne Rooney

Rooney had a excellent October, when he banged in all the goals, but hasn't really done anything since! Seems to always be having minor injuries and suspensions.

Disappeared in the recent match against Arsenal and always seems to be sacrificed on the right which makes him look very ordinary when clearly he is quite the opposite.

His October form and his general contribution so far, however. makes him our most impressive forward this season. If he could only just get a couple of games under his belt in a row, it would be wonderful. Oh, and he scored against the UAE national team in the shitlands!

Carlos Tevez

Tevez...poor little Carlos. Scores four goals against Blackburn in the Carling Cup and is still relegated to the bench.

He has become Rooney's or Berbatov's fill-in substitute, when actually he deserves a more consistent chance. He's led us to the Carling Cup semis nearly by himself. He seems, when playing for the team in bigger competitions, low on confidence and could just do with a goal or two in a few consecutive matches.

Is he worth the 30 million pounds we have to pay to keep him when his loan runs out? If used correctly, yes; otherwise, there's no need for his services and we could use that 30 mil nicely!

Overall that's 24/40, which is a big disappointment considering the amount of money these guys are worth! That's roughly 3/5 stars. Pretty poor.

I'll review it again in January or February; meanwhile, look out for my opinion on the World Club Cup in the next couple of days.

Until then,

AJ