I have little or no recollection of the 1991/’92 English soccer season, other than that it was the last in the format of the old First Division prior to the inception of the Premier League. That a Leeds United side managed by Howard Wilkinson and backboned by players such as Tony Dorigo, David Battie, Gary McAllister, Gordon Strachan, Lee Chapman and a lad called Cantona won it. But it would be generally accepted that Manchester United kicked the title away on themselves.
Skip forward three months and the first incarnation of the Premier League and after two rounds thereof, Alex Ferguson’s side propped up their 19 contemporaries – as it was then – having shipped defeats against Sheffield United and Everton. Conceding six goals and only registering one.
In the former of two games mentioned above, Blades forward Brian Deane made history by scoring the very first goal in the brand new Premier League.
After that came a 3-0 humbling against Everton at Old Trafford. You’d have to wonder what gremlins were in their collective system that early in the season. Though you can be fairly sure whatever they were, they were blasted into the galaxy with a hair dryer!
Therein lies the fundamental difference between the United of then and the current dishevelled rabble. Actually, it’s a two-pronged thing. On one hand, you’ve a load of preening, overpaid shapers who believe they’re accountable to nobody and on the other, the lack of a manager with the ba**s to whip them into shape and, eh, give them the hairdryer treatment!
Though you suspect Ruben Amorim may be about to find the socket. While he hasn’t given any indication as to what his plans are for the forthcoming Transfer Window, Marcus Rashford has made no secret of the fact that he, seemingly, wants away from Old Trafford. However, Amorim seems less than pleased that the forward has been so open about his desires. Commenting that “Players should negotiate with the manager, not the press”.
What I will say is, I don’t believe Rashford has ever been worthy of the profile afforded his way by at least sections of the British media. But the counter argument to that is – as the ever admirable Ian Wright was at pains to point out – the levels of opprobrium directed at the 27-year-old have been well above those warranted or deserved. With the former Crystal Palace forward pointing out that he was a year older still by the time he was considered to have ‘made it’ at Arsenal.
Mind you, whatever about players, transfers and all that jazz, you could only think God help the janitor at United with the way their form has been up and down like a toilet seat.
There’s no doubt parts of the team have improved. Whether you attribute that to Erik ten Hag or Ruud Van Nistelrooy or Amorim you can make up your own mind, but, De Ligdt certainly has added solidity at the back, Amad has been a revelation in midfield, with Ugarte and Yoro likely to further bolster their productivity in that sector.
However, it would be remiss to mention all the plus points without acknowledgement that they are still far from the finished article. Whatever that will eventually look like.
The glut of goals they have conceded – an alarming amount of them from set pieces – and the number of times they have been pegged back from leading positions has been frustrating from the perspective of a fan, so you can only imagine how it must feel to those in the dugout or on the pitch.
Earnest hope is that United’s true status in the game is somewhere above their current position in the Premier League table, but, in terms of how far, your guess is as good as mine.
Alas, I fear the Red Devils’ best chance of winning a trophy this season may have evaporated with the conclusion of their chaotic Carabao Cup quarter final defeat to Tottenham during this week.
But then, you arrive back at the toilet seat reference – form up and down the whole time. The price of a postage stamp wouldn’t be wagered in any direction. Main hope would be that stomach will stand up to the emotional roller coaster!
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