Victory fails to disguise shift in local power
By Tony Cascarino
PRIDE OF THE NORTH WEST? Still Liverpool as far as I am concerned. As they did against Chelsea, Manchester United have nicked a fortunate win against a superior team. Short-term elation for them, but for the long haul, Liverpool look a better bet to finish second come the end of the season. With their two matches in hand, they could rise above United sooner rather than later.
Rafael Benítez’s men will be pig sick at losing, especially in such a cruel way, but they should take comfort from the knowledge that they were better from back to front. Especially in the midfield, where Mohamed Sissoko, Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso ran the show. Committed, tough-tackling with a mean streak, they break up the play and ease the pressure on the defence. United’s midfield is nowhere near as effective.
It also struck me how tall Liverpool’s players are. That can only make the team more intimidating. Their only serious shortcoming is in attack, where Djibril Cissé simply does not cut it. It would help to have a nippy, tricky, clever foil for Peter Crouch.
This United team bear no comparison with the great sides from past years. They are resilient and hard-working, but those are givens for any half-decent side. Ruud van Nistelrooy had little impact and it is hard to see this group of players improving much because some of them, while young, are not good enough to become world-class. Liverpool, meanwhile, are still growing stronger.
Sir Alex Ferguson should feel pleased with his defence, though. They did a convincing impression of the Newcastle United back four against Manchester City a week earlier, but yesterday they looked a tight and organised unit. Patrice Evra is neat and tidy and did better than against City, but his lack of height will expose him against teams with natural wingers who send over a lot of cross-field balls.
Rio Ferdinand’s goal was his third of the season — and the third of his United career. He should score more. He is tall and agile, but he is a rare scorer because of attitude rather than ability. He is not a Steve Bruce type, the sort of central defender who is willing to put his face in among the flying boots — maybe you get the winning goal, but maybe you end up with stitches or a broken nose. He could use a few lessons from John Terry on how to be a more aggressive header.
Even if Ferdinand developed into a ten-goals-a-season man, it would not be enough to mask United’s limitations. Yes, United won, but they used to go farther. They would win, and they would dominate. But no more.
PRIDE OF THE NORTH WEST? Still Liverpool as far as I am concerned. As they did against Chelsea, Manchester United have nicked a fortunate win against a superior team. Short-term elation for them, but for the long haul, Liverpool look a better bet to finish second come the end of the season. With their two matches in hand, they could rise above United sooner rather than later.
Rafael Benítez’s men will be pig sick at losing, especially in such a cruel way, but they should take comfort from the knowledge that they were better from back to front. Especially in the midfield, where Mohamed Sissoko, Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso ran the show. Committed, tough-tackling with a mean streak, they break up the play and ease the pressure on the defence. United’s midfield is nowhere near as effective.
It also struck me how tall Liverpool’s players are. That can only make the team more intimidating. Their only serious shortcoming is in attack, where Djibril Cissé simply does not cut it. It would help to have a nippy, tricky, clever foil for Peter Crouch.
This United team bear no comparison with the great sides from past years. They are resilient and hard-working, but those are givens for any half-decent side. Ruud van Nistelrooy had little impact and it is hard to see this group of players improving much because some of them, while young, are not good enough to become world-class. Liverpool, meanwhile, are still growing stronger.
Sir Alex Ferguson should feel pleased with his defence, though. They did a convincing impression of the Newcastle United back four against Manchester City a week earlier, but yesterday they looked a tight and organised unit. Patrice Evra is neat and tidy and did better than against City, but his lack of height will expose him against teams with natural wingers who send over a lot of cross-field balls.
Rio Ferdinand’s goal was his third of the season — and the third of his United career. He should score more. He is tall and agile, but he is a rare scorer because of attitude rather than ability. He is not a Steve Bruce type, the sort of central defender who is willing to put his face in among the flying boots — maybe you get the winning goal, but maybe you end up with stitches or a broken nose. He could use a few lessons from John Terry on how to be a more aggressive header.
Even if Ferdinand developed into a ten-goals-a-season man, it would not be enough to mask United’s limitations. Yes, United won, but they used to go farther. They would win, and they would dominate. But no more.
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