After a disappointing derby loss to Manchester City at Old Trafford, Manchester United rebounded with a 2-0 win over Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium. Despite holding a comfortable lead at the top of the table, it was imperative that United suffered no more setbacks on their way to a 20th league title, to try and wrap this one up at the earliest. And they got the 3 points that they were looking for against a Stoke side that looked average, courtesy of a goal a piece from Michael Carrick and Robin Van Persie. Van Persie scored with a penalty, breaking a goalless drought lasting 10 competitive games.
In a way, it was fitting that the goals came from these 2 United players. About Van Persie, there isn't much left to say than what has already been said. His spectacular form in the early part of the campaign meant that United got off the blocks quicker than anyone else and managed to put enough distance between themselves and the chasing pack. The goals may have dried up for the Dutchman in the past month and a half, but it has come with the league title pretty much in the cabinet and hence has not hurt them much in the league. You could argue perhaps that a UEFA Champions League quarterfinal berth and an FA Cup semi-final spot went up in smoke along with his form.
However, discounting all of that, Van Persie still has been the player who has had the highest impact this season and he is favorite to win the PFA Player of the Year award. 20 goals in the Premier League, the latest being the spot kick he took at Stoke, along with 8 assists implying that he has contributed to 28 goals for United. Of those 20 goals, 11 of them have come away from home, it is little doubt that United are the best away team of the season with 38 points to their name from 16 games. City and Tottenham Hotspur are a distant second with 29 points having played the same number of games. "He nearly killed me! He forgets I'm 71. It was a great celebration as it brought the emotion of the players and the fans together. We really did celebrate that.", remarked Sir Alex Ferguson after Van Persie ran to the touchline to embrace Ferguson having scored from the spot.
Another area where the Dutchman's contribution has been significant is set pieces. 20 goals have been scored from set pieces this season by Ferguson's team and Van Persie's quality of delivery goes a long way in explaining that stat. Of course, all the factual evidence apart, his arrival from Arsenal just gave the team a huge lift and had a domino effect on the other players' performances, much like Eric Cantona did a few decades ago. One of those players has been Michael Carrick.
Carrick is a consummate professional, a player who goes about his work with minimal fuss. Calmness personified, his passing ability and interceptions carry an air of languid elegance about them. He is a player who is much appreciated by the manager and his fellow colleagues, but maligned by the fans. His role in the centre of that midfield has been vital for United. Much criticized over the past two seasons for being slow on the ball and not doing anything much with the football beyond passing it sideways, the resurgence of Carrick this season has been a shot in the arm for Ferguson. The stats will show 4 assists and 1 goal to his credit, but what the stats will not show is the impact of his forward passing this season.
Carrick averages 75 passes a game with an exceptional pass completion rate of 88%. Amongst peers who play in his position, there is none better in the league; Cazorla averages 65 passes per game with an 87% accuracy while Steven Gerrard also sees lesser of the ball averaging 66 passes per game at 85% accuracy. Across Europe, Bastian Schweinsteiger's influence for Bayern Munich is at a comparable level with the Bayern vice-captain averaging 72 passes a game at 87% accuracy. Carrick though is bettered by only 1 individual, and this should come as no surprise, Xavi who on average makes 98 passes per game with a pass completion rate of 95%.
The other major feature of Carrick's play this season has been his quick release of the ball forward to the likes of Van Persie and Rooney where in previous seasons he has been guilty of holding on to the ball for too long. A grand reason for that has been the presence of Van Persie, an out-and-out goalscorer, someone of the type not seen in recent United teams since the departure of one Cristiano Ronaldo. In fact, Carrick had 2 magnificent seasons for United after his switch from Tottenham in the summer of 2006. He had Paul Scholes for company back then and the two forged a formidable partnership. He suffered a dip in form from the 2009 season onwards which sort of coincides with the period that saw the departure of plenty of attacking talent from United in the form of Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.
Ferguson has also been wise to note that Carrick's productivity goes up markedly when partnered with a young and energetic midfield partner who can provide the legs; that's where Tom Cleverley and Anderson have played an important role this season. Cleverley and Anderson have allowed Carrick to operate from a little deeper and also offer him some protection when he is on the ball.
2012-13 has seen Manchester United return to the top of pile in the English Premier League, a return driven by two veteran players. Van Persie's power-packed offense fueled by the steady and enduring supply from the midfield led by Michael Carrick have helped overcome the pain of losing the title last season on goal difference. But, another top goal-scorer (questions remain over Rooney) to tide over lean patches for the Dutchman and a combative midfielder to assist Carrick are necessary if United are to replicate their success in Europe. Van Persie donned the No.20 jersey mentioning that he intended to deliver a 20th league crown to Old Trafford and he's delivered on that promise. Along with Michael Carrick, the two of them have been the twin sparks in United's engine that has put the Red Devils on course to reclaiming the title from rivals City.
No comments:
Post a Comment