We are in February and it is astonishing to see that Manchester United languish in 7th place on 40 points, haven lost EIGHT PREMIER LEAGUE GAMES. More devastating is the fact that there is a STRONG chance that the club WILL not qualify for Europe's premier club competition, the UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, next season. David Moyes, defiant as he might seem, is worried for his dear life and future as Manchester United boss. He has broken the wrong records and set unenviable feats. The Scot doesn't know hi surroundings yet and there isn't any time this season to make up for the lost points. Defeat at Stoke last weekend in a tepid, insipid performance was a crushing blow. The manager even made the defeat more awful and disheartening by saying 'they didn't deserve to lose'. Was he watching something else, while dishing out amateurish instructions on the sidelines? Clueless assertion I must admit. Stoke deservedly won that game and Mark Hughes got one over his former club, thanks largely to the excellent display of CHARLIE ADAM who is now used to whipping them home with his sweet left foot.
On Sunday, Fulham travel to Manchester United on the back of what is surely one of the most dismal runs in the Club's history. Former United manager, Rene Meulensteen is under pressure to deliver and fast too. The club lie at the basement of the LEAGUE TABLE with a paltry 19 points garnered from a possible 72. 17 games have been lost out of 24 and that is relegation form. Only a MIRACLE would prevent the cottagers from playing in the Championship next season. The Dutch manager left United in June after Moyes decided against retaining his services and then proceeded to Fulham in November en route Russia and Anzhi. Since he took over, Fulham have lost 9 out of the 16 games he has been in charge of, winning only 4. Defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in the F.A Cup replay on Tuesday added distress to misery. The West Londoners have hit rock bottom and need a lift to get back on track. A win at the Theatre will sure spark hopes of survival.
United know they cannot afford any slip ups from now till MAY. Last term, the 4th placed team ended the season on 73 points which means United must equal or better that total to have any chance of making it to the top tier of European Football next season. Normally, 33 points out of 42 wouldn't have been an unrealistic target for the United of all, but this present crop are a complete disgrace. In years gone by, no team in World Football would come to OLD TRAFFORD confident of taking points. Even in injury time, clubs aplenty would still be shivering at the prospect of one of those famous United comebacks. All that has gone with the wind now. MANCHESTER UNITED is now a shadow of its former self.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
MANCHESTER UNITED
DDG, Rafael, Smalling/Jones, Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Fletcher, Adnan, Mata, Rooney, RVP
FULHAM
Stekelenburg, Riether, Hangeland, Bum, Richardson, Parker, Sidwell, Holtby, Dempsey, Bent, MITROGLOU
Moyes will be hoping Phil Jones is available after suffering concussion in the Stoke defeat. Evans is injured. The big news is that NEMANJA VIDIC is back after serving the customary 3-match ban for his dismissal v Chelsea. RVP has led the line very well since his return, notching two goals in his last two games. Wayne Rooney is slowly coming back to form and Juan Mata must improve, although his two sumptuous assists haven't gone unnoticed. The 37 Million Pound Spaniard is quality all round and can spearhead a United turnaround. The problem is in Midfield where Carrick has been poor by his lofty standards. Cleverley is no footballer and Darren Fletcher is fast recovering and improving with every game. That area MUST be sorted out in the Summer or it could be very disastrous.
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| MITROGLOU THE GREEK HUNTER |
Sunday's game is a must win for both sides. Fulham don't like drawing games. An outright winner must emerge. We await the outcome.
Ohireime P Eboreime
@ohiskaka1990
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