A New Reign: the Return of a Midfield Maestro
Calamity has turned to ecstasy, with the now mighty-again Manchester United sitting 16 points off of league leaders Arsenal with two games in hand. While the ten games remaining would likely fail to amount in a late season title charge, supporters of the Red Devils can now sleep soundly knowing that European football of some variety is a likelihood for next season. The name Ruben Amorim has faded from the minds of fans, replaced with only one word: Kobbie. Mainoo has been exceptional since his reinstatement to the starting 11, one of many tactical shifts that has onlookers questioning how the Portuguese coach was able to steal a living for so long at the Old Trafford touchline. Seemingly frantic towards the end of his reign, one would be forgiven for thinking that sometimes the easiest solutions really are the most obvious. United stalwart and trophy-laden-legend of the club Michael Carrick (and yes he is a legend in my book) has shifted the droll and mechanical football of his predecessor into something closer to art. For the longest time, those in the football world have clamored for the return of Manchester United’s idyllic brand of free-flowing attacking moves that brought so many years of success. Nostalgia turns sour in the minds of those who haven’t seen success ring through the red side of Manchester in well over a decade, only to be absolved by the entertainment of mavericks; those who take the game by the scruff of its neck and will a goal to be scored, a cross to be headed, a duel to be won. In Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, and the enigmatic Bruno Fernandes, Red Devils supporters have found respite from the storm of negativity that seems to so constantly rain on any potential (title) parade.
The recent purple patch of form started under the bright lights of Old Trafford against Manchester City. Strikes from Bryan Mbeumo and newly christened winger Patrick Dorgu were enough to dispatch the visiting city rivals, with Bruno Fernandes enjoying his restoration to the pocket of space in behind the striker. Senne Lammens should also be commended for seeing out the affair without conceding, as his calmness in goal has brought much needed stability to the Red Devil’s backline. The dominant display warranted its 2-0 scoreline, and the United faithful began to believe just a little more.
What followed was an outstanding win against Arsenal, with the Gunners suffering from the return of Gareth Bale living vicariously through Patrick Dorgu. English striker Owen Goals opened the scoring in the 29th minute for the home side, though Manchester United were brought level by a very well taken goal from mercurial forward Bryan Mbeumo less than ten minutes later. The second half began with a sublime goal taken by Dorgu, with the Dane going off injured just before parity was restored by Mikel Merino in the 84th minute. Up stepped United’s no 10 Matheus Cunha to curl in an effort from outside the box courtesy of a simple assist from Kobbie Mainoo. The match ends 3-2, and suddenly the Red Devils have beat both of the favorites for the Premier League title in back to back games.
United’s next match against Fulham had the same 3-2 scoreline, and while the home side could be due a fair bit of criticism for almost letting the match slip away thanks to a freakish late goal from a Brazilian winger named only “Kevin”, they should be equally praised for their resilience to respond immediately and win the game altogether. Casemiro starred on his farewell tour with a goal and an assist, with club captain Bruno Fernandes pitching in with two assists of his own. Sesko and Cunha both added to their tallies in the second half, with the Slovenian bagging the aforementioned late winner in the fourth minute of extra time to rescue all three points.
The next fixture against Tottenham went smoothly courtesy of an early red card for Spurs captain Cristian Romero, with the Red Devils never really having to take it up a gear to put the match to bed. Goals from Mbeumo and Fernandes were enough to sink the struggling north London side, and United moved to their 4th win in 4 games, something Ruben Amorim could have only dreamed of doing so convincingly.
Then reality checked the rising red of Manchester with a 1-1 draw to West Ham. Carrick’s approach in his tenure involved more risky football, emphasizing moving the ball forward with dynamic movements that could potentially get United caught out on the counter. High-risk, high-reward is great when it works, but shock and awe only last so long. Teams like West Ham who need to scrape all the points they can get will be the crux of this new look United team. Though the Red Devils are now packing central spaces and creating intricate passing triangles, the element of risk has raised greatly in the new attacking structure. Gone is the pragmatism of a man who couldn’t/wouldn’t change formations, replaced by football that creates opportunities at both ends of the pitch. A goal from Soucek after the restart was cancelled out by another late winner from Benjamin Sesko, and the visitors settled for a draw. To his credit, Carrick had noticed the shortcomings of his initial tactical setup and course corrected by the end of the match. On the eve of a season defining match against Everton, one can only hope that Carrick and his disciples can continue exciting football, regardless of the results. Winning again regularly has brought the spark back to Old Trafford, but not as much as the return of Manchester United’s identity as has been displayed on the pitch in recent weeks.
From one hopeful fan to another, feel free to be excited about your club for the first time in a long time.
