Whilst thinking about Man Utd's current malaise the other day, it struck me that one of the vital things they lack at the moment is is ...
Whilst thinking about Man Utd's current malaise the other day, it struck me that one of the vital things they lack at the moment is is a game-changing super-sub.
Back when Sir Alex was in charge, if a game wasn't going his way, he could bring on a Solskjaer/Hernandez/Owen and win the game in Fergie time. Even Macheda did the job on occasion. How many times over the years have Man Utd won in the dying moments thanks to a bit of magic from a super-sub?
Lots. One of their major issues this season is that they struggle to turn draws into wins (see Cambridge), because they have no-one on the bench who can come on and do a job. Putting Fellaini up top and hoofing it up to him is no substitute (sorry) for bringing a proper matchwinner off the bench. Good subs make a good team.
When Chelsea's bench consisted of Torres last year they struggled - now they have the much-more-fearsome Drogba and Remy to call upon. Tottenham super-sub Harry Kane was so good he forced his way into the first team - they'd probably be mid-table now if it wasn't for him and Eriksen.
Conversely, if your bench is rubbish it's a major disadvantage: Liverpool got knocked out of the League Cup partly because their not-so super-subs were the lumbering Lambert and Balotelli. Seriously, when West Ham boast better options on the bench you know something must be seriously wrong with Man Utd and Liverpool.
So yeah, the key to Man Utd's and Liverpool's recent problems is not their defence or their formation, but because they've got crummy attacking options on the sidelines. These teams don't need a Cavani or a Benzema to go straight into the first team, they need a Shane Long or Claudio Pizzaro to warm the bench until the 78th minute.
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