Evans shows Ando what went wrong for him in the derby
It’s no coincidence that since Cleverley’s been missing United have failed to produce one decent performance over 90 minutes- perhaps with the exception of Leeds.
Now he’s back in the starting XI the United youngster has a world of expectation on his shoulders, mainly thanks to the complete failure of any of the other central midfielders to step up and be counted during his absence. Sunday’s derby game was a case in point where we saw Darren Fletcher and Anderson, fail to get to grips with a rampant City midfield. Although Fletcher did grab a goal and was much better- or should that be less dreadful- than his midfield partner, he hardly covered himself in glory.
Part of the reason for Cleverley’s return being so long-awaited is that many believe it will help a certain Luis de Abreu Oliveira regain his form.
For the past six weeks Anderson’s performances have gone from disappointing, to worrying, to frankly shocking as he seems to totally out of his depth at times. There’s no denying he was on top form when Cleverley was alongside him and the logical thinking his he’ll regain his mojo now the youngster’s back.
While I certainly hope this is the case, I’m not about to start banking on it just yet. We’ve seen flashes of brilliance from Anderson in the past, followed by periods of mediocrity and there seems something desperately wrong with having a midfielder who can only perform alongside one other particular player. Paul Scholes looked good even alongside Kleberson- ditto Roy Keane, and I remember many years ago, Paul Ince putting in man of the match performances whether it was Bryan Robson, Roy Keane, Brian McClair or even Neil Webb who was alongside him.
If Cleverley were to get injured does that mean we may as well count Anderson out for the same length of time as well?
Aristotle once wrote ‘one swallow does not make a Summer’ and six poor games for United does not mean the end of your time at Old Trafford, it should however mean that you desperately need to improve if you’ve any chance of being part of the first team.
Cleverley’s return may well be the last chance saloon for Anderson, as if he fails to regain his form alongside the diminutive youngster he could find himself back on the fringes of the squad and maybe even the exit door. That may sound melodramatic, but let’s face facts, Anderson has yet to truly prove he’s a United player. People may scream “HE’S JUST HITTING A BIT OF BAD FORM!” but let me ask you, when since his arrival has he put together a string of really impressive games?
Last season was a case in point as we saw him rampant against Blackburn, then completely anonymous for his next few games. He’s been at Old Trafford now for almost five years and has yet to prove himself, it looked like he had done at the start of this season, but he flattered to decieve.
It’s amazing when you compare the United careers of Anderson and say Michael Carrick, Anderson is arguably by far the most popular. Yet it’s the former Spurs man, who’s been more consistent over the last few seasons. Anderson is probably liked more due to his impressive first season- albeit in fits and starts, which culminated in him strolling up in the Luzhniki and smashing home his penalty with all the confidence of you’d expect from a young Brazilian. There’s also the flashes of brilliance he shows, in that first season the 4-0 against Arsenal, Anderson gained all the plaudits for his ‘look one way pass the other’ trick, yet Carrick’s pass for Nani’s goal was superb and Darren Fletcher grabbed a brace.
Michael carrick seems to have become something of a forgotten man for Sir Alex in the big games of late, being left out of the starting line-up at Anfield- in what was a defensive minded midfield- and out of the squad altogether for the derby. I’m not a massive Carrick fan, nor am I one of his detractors, it may be hard to believe but I think he does a good job, but isn’t a natural defensive midfielder and is somewhat wasted there. For me Carrick’s best season at Old Trafford was his first where he was encouraged to get forward more and revelled in that freedom.
Carrick isn’t nearly as bad as some Reds believe, nor is he as great as others claim, he’s a top class player that isn’t quite at the same level as some of the world’s very best midfielders- a similar comment that could be levelled at Anderson, Fletcher, or even Ji Sung Park.
Of that list, it’s probably only Anderson who has yet to fully show what he’s capable of on any consistent level and the question is can United afford to wait and see if he’ll come good, should his poor form continue?
With City already five points clear, United don’t need to be dropping further behind our noisier than ever neighbours. I hate to say it, but if we’re still asking ‘what happened to the Anderson from the beginning of the season’ come Christmas time, then the January tranfer window may not be a one-way affair.
Am I wrong to claim Anderson is on borrowed time? Has he done enough to show he’s here to stay? Or is four years long enough of waiting for him to find consistent form? Feel free to comment suggest or abuse below:
For more United loving views follow me on twitter @jaymotty
and the site that features much better writers than I @RFFH
Also like us on Facebook
WIN VIP TICKETS TO WATCH UNITED V EVERTON: SIGN UP BY CLICKING BELOW:
Yes .
Im sick of not knowing which anderson we are going to see on a good day fantastic . On Sunday why bother coming in . its gone on to long i love the Fergie give them time attitude . nothing worse than losing a player only for him to shine later Forlan etc . We need to get the player in who can even on a bad day stand up and be seen to try . They are there Ando im sorry is not up to it .
I would agree his stop start form is worrying but he is very young still for a lad in his position, most central midfielders don’t hit their prime till 26/27. People forget in the early days keane was incredibly inconsistent, all our midfield are better going forward we need some more steel defensively
hes just like his shots a few hits and alot of misses. i stil think give him til the end of season 2 prove his worth if he doesnt show any consistenty then sell him
Anderson isn’t at fault if the players around him all play in a different direction or can’t receive a pass due to their technical limitations. Anderson is moving forwards, while Carrick plays sideways or back, and Fletcher just blunders around.
Precisely the re-introduction of Cleverley will give Anderson someone on the same wavelength to play with.
Carrick still has a place to play behind them, though against most teams he isn’t needed, only when we have 5 across the middle, as we should have had against City. That was an experiment that went badly wrong – the first big game where we went with 442.
Fletcher’s strength is his stamina, but he hasn’t recovered as yet from his long lay off. The goal against City doesn’t hide the fact he’s way off form. Park is similarly off form as we saw for most of the match against Aldershot. In that match, we saw the potential of Pogba and Morrison – both exciting prospects. Will Fergie have faith in those two and give them more playing time? It would be interesting to see, but probably will be limited as long as we’re in the title race.
Final clarification: when Anderson receives the ball, he’s looking to lay it off to someone, but if there is no easy forward pass, he’s obliged to make riskier passes. He’s under orders to find the break through pass, he takes the risks, while Carrick and Fletcher just play the ball across the line to one wing or the other – a tired and predictable tactic which has everyone yawning. Cleverley comes close, gives Anderson the alternatives he needs, especially as Cleverley can receive the ball and play one-twos and neat flick ons without making mistakes or not controlling the ball. The ball moves quickly and the team begins to function.
Absolutely spot on.
I say this and again. Get Gotze, Kagawa or Tiote… But the first two are top class and can bring us goals from midfield. And yes they are young
The beginning of Andersons poor form, and the teams poor form can be pinpointed to the exact moment Darren Fletcher was reintroduced to first team action.
He shits himself when he receives the ball.. Never passes forward (successfully), positions himself behind opposition so he can’t ne passed to. How this guy is still at OT I’ll never know…
The beginning of Andersons poor form, and the teams poor form can be pinpointed to the exact moment Darren Fletcher was reintroduced to first team action.
He bricks himself when he receives the ball.. Never passes forward (successfully), positions himself behind opposition so he can’t ne passed to. How this guy is still at OT I’ll never know…
Ando is a confident guy, whose game relies on confidence and I don’t think anyone can be truely
*** confident playing alongside the worst CM I’ve seen nail down a regular 1st team spot at OT