Relentless Desire: Why Manchester United’s £27m superstar could be crucial vs Sunderland
Before this season the League Cup will have been treated by many Man United fans as something of a minor distraction, a chance to give the kids a run out and maybe if their lucky a trip to Wembley. Things are different at Old Trafford now though, out of the FA Cup, struggling in the league and seemingly a million miles away from the Barca’s and the Bayern’s of this world in the Champions League. The Capital One Cup could well represent salvation not just for David Moyes, but for the owners whose Sir Alex Ferguson- dependent policy is now being badly exposed as the house of cards it’s always been.
United need something to cheer about and despite what pride may tell many Reds, a trip to a Wembley final -to most likely face ‘noisier than we are neighbours’ Manchester City – could be the game that does it…unless of course Moyes’ side get battered then it will only add to the sense of deflation but let’s try and remain positive.
United have to make it to the final at the very least, to fail to beat Sunderland over two legs would turn what could be a season saving competition into a potential nail in David Moyes’ Old Trafford coffin. Despite struggling in the league Sunderland aren’t a pushover- they defeated Chelsea in the previous round- and United need a strong side to progress- even that may not be enough judging recent form.
Forgetting 4-4-2 may be a big help in pushing United through to the final, as the Reds’ tendency to play that formation has left them badly exposed at times. We can call it 4-2-3-1 if we want, we can even pretend it’s 4-5-1, but United fans know that the champions have been playing with four in midfield for pretty much the entire season- with mixed results. The key position to the League Cup tie could be the ‘false 10? role behind the striker as far too often United have been exposed in midfield due to more or less having two central midfielders and two strikers. Whoever’s playing off the striker for the Reds, needs to be willing to drop deep more and do his fair share of defending from the front.
Wayne Rooney could be fit for the games against Sunderland and it may be his willingness to drop deep that holds the key to victory against Gus Poyet’s side. If we take a look at the Reds’ last visit to the Stadium of Light, where a certain Adnan Januzaj bagged a brace and firmly announced himself to the Premier League, Rooney didn’t enjoy the most productive afternoon, but he did play a huge part in United’s win.
The England striker, playing just off Robin van Persie was willing to drop deep to not just try and make things happen for his side but also help out defensively. Rooney even managed some vital clearances in what was deemed by many a ‘must win game’ for the Reds.
Wayne Rooney Clearances vs Sunderland
We can expect United to start the games against Sunderland with two holding midfielders, more than likely Michael Carrick and anyone of Ryan Giggs, Anderson or Tom Cleverley. It’s essential that the three players set up just in front of the midfielders, behind the striker are willing to track back and stifle the Mackem’s attack. Whoever plays in front of Patrice Evra has to give the ageing defender sufficient cover, something that’s often missing when Shinji Kagawa – who drifts inside plays on the wing.
The key to whether United progress could well be who ever fills the role behind the striker, if Sunderland decide to take the game to United, with Steven Fletcher up front backed by Fabio Borini for example, then one of them may drop deeper which is where the Reds needs to make sure they’re up to the task in midfield.