WHERE DID SIR ALEX GO WRONG? OR WHERE DID RAFA GET IT RIGHT?

The weekend is over and the biggest talking point will be the result of the match between Liverpool and Manchester United. On most accounts it was a game for United to lose – which is exactly what they did.
So where did Sir Alex go wrong?
I mentioned in my match review that Rafa often gets criticized for his team selection but that I thought Sir Alex had got it wrong this time and Rafa – spot on.

First of all: defense. I could give 4/4 to Sir Alex for his defensive selections. Most people would have done the same. Vidic has had a poor run against Liverpool but I still would have picked him. The same can be said for Rio, who is not at his best. Evra seemed rather uninterested and had a poor game. Maybe Fabio could have played but risking the youngster would have been just that: a risk. O’Shea on the right, did the job, I guess but I still feel that United miss Rafael! Taking one step back however, I didn’t leave thinking ‘thank goodness we have Edwin back!’ Foster did have a couple of dodgy moments but Edwin was hardly convincing either.

Midfield is where it all went wrong for United I thought (and by implication where Rafa showed his class). Ryan Giggs has been in the form of his life and you can’t blame Sir Alex for picking him. Valencia has been good so no surprises there. Carrick is a solid midfielder and I’m happy with his selection. That brings me to Paul Scholes. The man is brilliant, of that there is no doubt. He is also old. I think that the pace of the Premier League has left him behind. I would use him as a sub to close out games and in Europe. Anderson’s work rate and energy was sorely missed on Saturday. Nani may not always be top draw but he gives United something different – something they needed! I would have gone Nani, Carrick, Anderson/Giggs, Valencia. I give Sir Alex’s midfield a 2/4 because even though Giggs was there, he is too slow as a winger now days.

All that said what United missed the most was Owen Hargreaves. Estimated to be 6 weeks away from returning, Owen Hargreaves is the piece of the puzzle United need the most! Mascherano is 70% of the reason Liverpool got three points yesterday. Hargreaves could have done the same for United.
I would have picked Rooney and Berbatov (so 2/2 for Fergie) but they hardly had anything to work with.

Liverpool were too strong and too quick for the United’s midfield and that is where the game was lost (or won in the case of Liverpool). United played with too much patience and not enough drive. Both Nani and Anderson could have helped with that.
In the end all credit must go to Liverpool for the pressure they put on United. They played better than they have all season. Time will tell if, like last year, Liverpool get bragging rights for the games against United. But the champions may still be crowned Champions again.