The 2012/2013 Barclays Premier League season is in full swing and is just coming off the busy holiday season in which all teams played four games in 12 days.
The season is now just more than half over and Manchester United has emerged as the team to beat. United have won the league a record 19 times, so being at the top of the table is not strange place for the Red Devils.
However, this season has been especially important.
Last year was a sheer disappointment. It all started on a cold December 2011 day in Basel, Switzerland where United lost not only a game, but their captain Namanja Vidic for the season to injury. The loss for United also meant they were eliminated from the Champions League. Six months later, United lost the league title on the final day of season in the most dramatic day in English soccer history. United had won their final game and were waiting on the field to be crowned champions. However, cross-town rivals Manchester City scored a very late goal in their game to give them their first title in forty years. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said in his post-match interview that his goal was to take back the title from their bitter rivals.
In the summer, United bought players to try and improve their already deep squad. United acquired Japanese midfielder Sinji Kagawa from the German champions Borussia Dortmund and shocked the world with the acquisition of Robin Van Persie from Arsenal, who scored the most goals in the Premier league the season before.
United have come out in full force this season and have shown in every game their desire to win league title back from cross-town rivals Manchester City. So far, United have beaten all of the big clubs Arsenal, Chelsea (thanks to some questionable refereeing which saw two Chelsea players sent off), Liverpool and Manchester City (thanks to a Robin Van Persie free-kick in stoppage time). Three of the victories came away from home. United also won their group in the Champions League, but have to face Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid in the round of 16.
United have also had countless games in which late goals have saved them from defeats and draws, such as Robin Van Persie’s hat trick against Southampton, United scoring three straight to defeat Braga in the Champions League, Javier Hernandez’s double against Aston Villa in another three-goal comeback, and another Hernandez winner in the closing minutes on Boxing Day against Newcastle. For neutrals, United will always be a part of exciting, dramatic, and often high scoring games. However for fans of the Red Devils, you are always in store for a near heart attack.
Despite great success, United have looked far from perfect. United’s defense has been more than suspect for much of the season. United have conceded 28 goals so far this season, yet only allowed 33 all of last season. United have deployed the strategy of "We will score more goals than you." So far it has worked, but if United refuse to be more disciplined at the back, they may not always be so fortunate to be bailed out by their offense.
The most troubling part of the United back four, aside from its lack of success, is the fact that there are good players available. Captain Namanja Vidic was arguably the best defender in the world just a few years ago. However, an injury-plagued past two seasons has seen a severe slip up in form.
Rio Ferdinand, the other preferred central defender, was also a top player in his prime. Unfortunately, the 34-year old isn’t getting any younger and had difficulties holding down the back line in Vidic’s absences. United have looked to Johnny Evans, and youngsters Phil Jones and Chris Smalling to fill gaps in the defense. All have shown promise, but all have looked inexperienced and lost without a leader like Vidic.
The United full backs are also responsible for United’s poor defending. The Brazilian youngster Rafael has looked very sharp this season, linking up well with the likes of Antonio Valencia on the right wing. The two have provided pace, and the service ability to swing in crosses to the goal scorers of Rooney, Van Persie, Hernandez, Welbeck and others. However, Rafael at times pushing too far up the field and leaves United vulnerable for the counter-attack. United’s left-sided full back Patrice Evra has had similar problems. Evra, like Ferdinand, isn’t getting any younger. He may only be 31, but he might as well be 51. Evra has definitely lost a step and seems to have no desire to defend. Evra has always been a good crosser and made over-lapping runs with wingers which gave United its patented width that has made them so successful. However, Evra is often caught out in attack and is forced to try and make up ground getting back on defense. It looks pretty when Rafael or Evra whip in a cross and Wayne Rooney finishes for a goal, but at the end of the day these players are defenders.
Defenders need to make defense priority No. 1. Is that too much to ask for? United may have plenty of wiggle room at the top of the standings, but there are still very important games to be played and their concentration must remain high.