United, Top Of The Tree (For Now)

Manchester United climbed to the top of the English Premier League in January for the first time since 2013, Sir Alex Ferguson’s last season at the club. We did it the hard way in a highly, competitive match at Turf Moor against Burnley, coming out 1-0 winners.

Matching Burnley Style & Approach

It was expected that this match would be physical from Burnley’s playing style. We had to match the physicality and energy and cope with the directness of their play. We did a good job on both accounts. Throughout the game, I don’t remember Burnley getting close to scoring or posing a significant threat. Eric Bailly had another immense performance at centre back alongside captain, Harry Maguire. In front of them, the presence on Nemanja Matic provided additional cover. If there was a weak point, I would think it would have been our right-back spot but Aaron Wan-Bissaka did the best he could to at least put in a challenge for the long balls that came his way.

Man Of The Match, Pogba

Next to Matic in centre midfield was Paul Pogba and his performance was worthy of the Man Of The Match award. Much has been said about United’s heavy reliance on Bruno Fernandes and that if he doesn’t play well, so does United because no-one else steps up to the mantle. This was one game where that observation was rubbished. Pogba stepped up to the mantle and brought us to victory. He scored with a first-time volley from a cross by Marcus Rashford off a deflection by Burnley’s Matthew Lowton. The rest of his performance was praiseworthy as he stood up to the physical and aerial challenges and was driving forward, dictating play. There is a joke that he played very well because the zebra United kit reminded him of Juventus’ traditional home kit. Here’s to hoping that he finds the level of consistency we expect of him in whichever United kit he comes out in.

Subdued Attack

Our attack was subdued. The front four of Rashford, Edinson Cavani, Anthony Martial and Bruno Fernandes were less than fluid as a quartet. Rashford had a quiet outing. Martial had the opportunity to take on a defender but decided to take the shot early and shot over. But in another attack, he produced a superb curling shot heading towards the top corner, saved by Nick Pope. The missed chances encapsulated Martial, capable of the sublime one moment and equally capable of a stinker the next. At the age of 25, his performances should be reaching a high level of consistency, he is no longer a young kid so a lot more should be expected out of him. Cavani was bereft of service. He had one chance that he didn’t make proper contact with the ball. Fernandes wasn’t as influential as he normally is. It was all-out attack in the second half for us but should have taken the lead in the first half. Harry Maguire rose majestically at the back post to angle a superb header but it was incredibly ruled out for a foul.

Don’t Get Carried Away Just Yet

We find ourselves top but I am not overjoyed or excited about it. Social media has been flooded with lots of proclamations of joy, enthusiasm and excitement which I don’t agree with. This Manchester United team has a lot to prove for us to be properly excited. It’s also not a matter of who is top now but who is top in May when the trophy is handed out. The way this season has been, different teams have been the flavour of the month. Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea have been there. Now it’s our turn. Do we have the substance, mental strength and quality to stay there? The results on the pitch will give us the answer. The only game that I remember us playing well in was against Leeds United. There is still room for improvement in our performances because we have played well in fits and starts only. Let’s take it one game at a time. Let the team answer our queries on the pitch. So far we have seen the team buckle under pressure indicating a weak mentality. We have seen inconsistency as well, blowing hot and cold as and when they like. Can they finally resolve these weaknesses?