Manchester United continue to struggle under David Moyes. Their title hopes have evaporated, they’ve been knocked out of the FA Cup by Swansea and they lost to Sunderland in the first leg of the League Cup semi-finals.
They are back in league action this weekend with a chance to get their revenge on Swansea.
Andy Gray and Richard Keys who front beIN Sport’s English Premier League television coverage discuss the problems at Old Trafford.
Andy Gray: Sir Alex Ferguson had seasons when he didn’t win anything and what he has left David Moyes is a very ordinary Manchester United team.
The key thing for Moyes and United is to sit this one out because it’s not going to change overnight. The title is already out the window and a top-four finish seems less and less likely.
They don’t look like a side capable of winning nine out of 10 games and that’s the reason they might struggle to close the gap on the teams above them.
Many United fans have already consigned themselves to a barren season but it will be interesting to see their reaction if they do not finish in the top four because I don’t think they expected that.
There won’t be a quick fix in the January transfer window because it is rare that top players are available at this time of the season. Anyone playing in the knockout stages of the Champions League is not going to want to move.
Moyes might be able to get a couple of squad strengthening players in but most of his rebuilding will be done in the summer.
I don’t know who he rates and who he doesn’t but it would be interesting to know what he thinks about Chris Smalling, Rafael, Phil Jones, Anderson, Nani, Ashley Young, Javier Hernandez, Danny Welbeck, Jonny Evans and Antonio Valencia. These are players who, in my opinion, have it all to prove. Personally, I think United need half a dozen top players to come into this side.
They play Swansea this weekend and although Michael Laudrup’s team beat United in the FA Cup it is going to be tough for them to go back to Old Trafford and do it again.
It is interesting to note that West Ham, one of the poorest sides for creating chances, have scored the same amount of goals at Upton Park as United at Old Trafford – 12. Fulham have scored more than United at home which shows you the problems Moyes has got.
However, he’ll start to demand more from his players now because they cannot let Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham pull away. I expect them to beat Swansea 2-1.
Richard Keys: I don’t like to say I told you so, but…At the start of the season I went on social media and said I did not expect them to finish any higher than fourth and the only thing that has changed since then is that fourth is looking doubtful.
I got battered on Twitter and Facebook for saying that and I also said the debate about Wayne Rooney’s future would rear its head again in January and I have been proved right on that as well.
I still believe United have made a huge miscalculation by not getting him to sign a new contract and I expect him to leave Old Trafford.
The big difference for United this season has been Robin van Persie’s fitness. No RVP, no title. There are enormous cracks at United and there is no question that there needs to be a rebuild from top to bottom.
If I was Moyes I would get rid of most of the current squad. Andy laughed at me earlier in the season when I said they needed eight new players in the starting line-up.
The big fear is that United won’t be playing Champions League football next year which means top players won’t want to go there.
When Liverpool were dominant nobody could see their empire crumbling but it did and I see the very same happening at Old Trafford. Once you get into a cycle of decline it is difficult to address it.
The fear factor has gone and Swansea will go back to Old Trafford thinking they can beat United again and they will. 2-1 away win.
HULL v CHELSEA
AG: I see Chelsea as functional rather than flamboyant. Jose Mourinho is still making lots of changes for each game which makes them inconsistent but they know what’s required and I fancy them to beat Hull 2-0.
RK: Chelsea are beginning to look like a team with purpose and I still think Mourinho’s experience in the Premier League makes them favourites for the title. Hull are a good side at home but Chelsea have too much for them. 2-0.
NEWCASTLE v MAN CITY
AG: Newcastle have reached another crossroads. Three defeats in a row, two in the league and one in the FA Cup might not sound a lot but it does cause concern and Man City are blowing everyone away at the moment. I don’t think City will score many here but they will be good enough to win 1-0.
RK: City should obviously win this in their current form but I don’t think it’s as simple as that. There is still a fragility about City on the road and Newcastle are very good at home with the fantastic support they have. 2-2.
STOKE v LIVERPOOL
AG: Stoke are looking better after a very dodgy start but need to show more consistency. They haven’t won two in a row since August but they can get something out of this game. Daniel Sturridge might be back on the bench for Liverpool which is a boost but I think this will finish 1-1.
RK: Mark Hughes has finally got Stoke playing the way he wants which will make them very difficult to beat at home. Liverpool will drop points at places you wouldn’t expect and this will be one of them. 2-1 to Stoke.
ASTON VILLA v ARSENAL
AG: Going out of the FA Cup to Sheffield United at home was one of the worst results Villa have had in recent years. Manager Paul Lambert said he could do without the distraction of cup games so he has got his wish. There are just 18 more league games and he needs points but they won’t get any against a strong Arsenal side. 2-0 away win.
RK: Lambert is trying to convince us Villa are a good team and that they are not in a relegation battle. Wrong on both counts. Arsenal are in a different class. 3-0.
CARDIFF v WEST HAM
AG: West Ham manager Sam Allardyce went for damage limitation against Man City in the League Cup and got hammered. It is going to be difficult to recover from that even if Andy Carroll does make his comeback. Cardiff will want to impress their new coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and will win this 1-0.
RK: The energy of Solskjaer’s arrival will be decisive. West Ham are a shambles and I honestly think Allardyce would be relieved if he lost his job. 2-0 Cardiff.
EVERTON v NORWICH
AG: Norwich are sitting just above the relegation zone and need to pick up some points but I can’t see them getting anything here. 3-1 home win.
RK: Norwich will open up and try to be expansive but this will only result in giving Everton the chance to score goals at home, where they have looked good all season. I can’t see beyond a 3-0 home win.
FULHAM v SUNDERLAND
AG: Sunderland need to start winning or they will find themselves stranded at the bottom. It won’t be easy but I think Gus Poyet’s team can provide the surprise result of the weekend and win 2-1.
RK: I am delighted that Ray Wilkins is back in the game with Fulham in the dugout and I am sure he will make a difference. If Sunderland go to Fulham and try to play fancy football they will come unstuck because he hasn’t got the players to do it. Fulham aren’t great but I fancy them to have enough experience in the side to win 2-0.
SOUTHAMPTON v WEST BROM
AG: West Brom have appointed the former Real Betis coach Pepe Mel which really depresses me when you have got quality British coaches like Malky Mackay out there looking for jobs. Anyway, we shall see how Mel does, but I think the Baggies will struggle at Southampton and will go down 2-1.
RK: Pepe who? I agree with Andy but perhaps West Brom know something we don’t. Southampton will be too good for them. 2-1.
TOTTENHAM v CRYSTAL PALACE
AG: Tony Pulis has got his team believing in themselves again and they are tough to play against, as Man City found out at the Etihad when they struggled to win 1-0.. They will cause Tottenham problems but Spurs should still win 1-0.
RK: Palace are my tip to get out of trouble thanks to Tony Pulis who has got them well organised. They played really well against City, and I think Spurs will find it difficult to break them down. I can see this ending in a 1-1 draw.
