United's defensive frailty opens door for City
Reuters - Monday 23 April 2012, 10:10
Manchester United's miserly
defending at Old Trafford has underpinned many of their
title-winning campaigns under Sir Alex Ferguson but this season's
home lapses could cost them dearly.
The 4-4 draw at home to Everton on Sunday, despite leading
3-1 and 4-2, threw the door wide open for rivals Manchester City
to deny United a 20th league title but it was the not the first
time this season Ferguson's defence had gone AWOL at home.
They were smashed 6-1 by City in October, then lost 3-2 at
home to Blackburn Rovers on New Year's Eve.
With one more home match to go they have already conceded 19
league goals at Old Trafford this season, their worst record
since the start of the Premier League.
An inability to keep the ball out of their net at home also
sabotaged their European campaign with Basle drawing 3-3 and
Benfica 2-2 as United bowed out of the Champions League at the
group stage.
Even in the Europa League Ajax Amsterdam won 2-1 in
Manchester before Atheltic Bilbao returned with a 3-2 victory.
Ferguson praised his side's attacking play against Everton
but did not hold back on his defenders.
"To give away four goals at Old Trafford in a home game like
that which was so important to us is unbelievable. I can't
believe it," he said.
"Defensive lapses have cost us. In previous matches recently
we've actually defended very well. But this was a bad
performance defensively.
"I think the goals we conceded were soft goals."
The absence of Nemanja Vidic since December has not helped
United's cause with Rio Ferdinand badly missing his central
defensive partner at times.
Yet despite United's regular home blips, they will still
head to the Etihad Stadium on Monday for a title showdown with a
three-point lead over City and their destiny very much in their
own hands.
United usually respond well to setbacks and they can
approach the match with more options than a City side who know
they must collect three points.
Even a draw for United would mean they should be able to
wrap up the title with games against Swansea City and Sunderland
to come whereas City must travel to Champions League chasing
Newcastle United for their penultimate game.
However, City will be buoyed by a home record that is the
envy of their close neighbours with 16 wins and one draw and
only 10 goals conceded.
"I still think United have a bigger chance than us at the
moment, even if we get three points in the derby we have
Newcastle and QPR, which will be difficult games," City manager
Roberto Mancini said after their 2-0 victory at Wolverhampton
Wanderers on Sunday.
"United after us have two games that will not be easy, but
not difficult like it will be for us. But we have still have a
chance."
United may still hold pole position with three games left
but in this most unpredictable of Premier League seasons their
could still be some unexpected twists - whatever the outcome of
Monday's derby.