Manchester United: A Team In Crisis?

[AngryPaul]

http://www.manutd.co.za/images/Alex99.jpg
http://in.yimg.com/xp/reuters_ids_new/20040310/3691167789.jpg

Two very contrasting images of manchester United. One more likely to be seen recently, which leads me to ask..............

Are Manchester United A Team In Crisis?

Now we have heard this said of United many times before (1996, 2001, 2002) but this time I think it is more fitting than ever before (barring a spell in Div 2 in the 70's)

ONE win in 5! And that was an unconvincing win at home against Norwich.

Arsenal and Chelsea have started impressively where United havent and find themsleves 7 points behind Chelski and 9 behind the Gunners! *sigh* Now this is nothing like the Manchester United we all know and love

Now watching the Bolton game on MotD tonight was a sorry sight. United didn't look dangerous on attack and vunerable at the back. You could put it down to the fact that there are a lot of injuries at Old Trafford (summed up by buying an injured Rooney), but with Scholes, Giggs, Keane, Smith, Ronaldo and van Nistelrooy playing today they should have looked better.

Now I'm hoping that it is just a phase, but its mid-September and we have almost lost sight of Arsenal and Chelski!

What do you think it is?

*runs off and cries at Silvestres numerous mistakes*


Having Henry up the top everytime I look at my thread really isn't helping either :(

[Shave]

haven't seen the match on early mornig MoTD yet, but heard about it on the radio. what was said was that Man U have lost their fear factor. before teams came to man u expecting to lose and their main aim was to keep the goals as low as possible. now teams come to man u with a serious chance of winning

they've deteried from the last 10 games of last season. if man u don't do something soon they will be in deep shi...

[Thomp]

I personally think that Man U have had their days. They've won the domestic trophies, and the Champion's League. Sir Alex's days are numbered. Man U have to face up to being 3rd now.

[Handwashed Pug]

I don't think they are a team in decline. Once they have all the injured lot back and playing well they'll have the second strongest team in the premiership ( behind Arsenal )

I admit that they may have little chance of winning the premiership, but I think they've still got a chance to win other trophies ( the FA Cup, or maybe even the championship league??)

You can never write United off...

[dogincognito]

Their squad is probably the strongest in terms of quality and depth when they're free of injury, so i don't think they're finished :rolleyes: But they do face an uphill struggle already to win the title, because they need Arsenal/Chelsea to drop points which they don't look like doing.

They have as good a chance as any English club to win the Champions league.

[Leonidas]

I disagree strongly. Their squad isn't as strong as before. Giggs and Keane are both not the same players they were, Scholes doesn't seem to have had the same effect as seasons past, but then he has been injured. The goalkeeping position is touchy at best, and the midfield is very weak. Djemba-Djemba and Klerberson woudn't have been any where near the 1st team 3-4 seasons ago. They do however have some good young players. Fletcher, Miller, Ronaldo, Smith, and if they can get back to previous form, Brown and O'Shea. I don't think they are as strong as Chelsea, and nowhere near Arsenal. I really feel that they are going through a transition period right now. It could go either way, and if done right, could be the major force again in 2-3 seasons. I have to question buying Rooney though.

[Nuclear Spoon]

"The age of Man Utd has ended. The dawn of Spurs is nigh"

[streety]

I have been saying it for a while now. I thought that they should've gotten rid of Fergie. He has taken them as far as he can and he is just causing rifts. Not that I mind... It is the right time for us to be playing you next monday. I can't see you beating us.

[jonffm]

Rios back on monday, and I don't think any of us 'pool fans fear him at all. Throw a player that hasn't played in top class football in 8 months into one of the biggest games of the season? Yeah...good move Fergie.