Manchester United’s empire seems to be crumbling.
United manager Alex Ferguson was booed as he left the field after Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Blackburn at Old Trafford. Ferguson has stopped talking to most of the media — including the club’s own television station.
Just a half-dozen games into the season, United are crippled by injuries, and already 10 points behind Chelsea and fading fast.
Going into Tuesday’s Champions League game against Benfica at Old Trafford, Man United need to make adjustments soon.
”We are looking at ourselves and thinking what we can to do improve,” said injured defender Gary Neville. ”We need to get our own house in order and then we can start to talk about winning the league title again.”
Nothing is going right.
United look vulnerable at midfield without injured captain Roy Keane. The defence has been soft without Neville, with Rio Ferdinand and Mikael Silvestre widely criticised after the loss to Rovers.
And up front, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo are not scoring enough.
A few months ago, it was the new ownership of American Malcolm Glazer that drew fans’ anger. Now it’s Ferguson.
In Monday’s news conference, Ferguson declined to answer any questions about the slump, the fans’ displeasure with him or his on-field tactics. The only questions replied to concerned Benfica.
”European nights have always been special at Old Trafford,” Ferguson said. ”In my experience, they have always had an extra edge and I am sure the supporters will be great.
”I don’t want to talk about myself. What has happened in the past doesn’t matter. Tomorrow’s [Tuesday’s] game is the most important thing and we are doing a good job getting the players back from Saturday’s defeat.”
While Ferguson was being jeered on Saturday, former Man United star Mark Hughes — Blackburn’s coach — received a standing ovation.
Ferguson’s new 4-5-1 formation, leaving Rooney on the left wing, has been ineffective. Rooney was benched against Blackburn, coming on as a second-half substitute.
Ferguson’s favoured system — 4-4-2 — has reportedly been scrapped by Man United assistant coach Carlos Queiroz, leading many to question why Ferguson isn’t deciding formations and tactics.
Don’t look for Benfica to provide much respite. The game is a rematch of the 1968 European final, which United won at Wembley stadium.
Playing a record 10th straight season in the Champions League, United have been on the skids in this competition, too. The Red Devils have failed to score in their past four Champions League games, losing three. Their opening game two weeks ago ended in a 0-0 draw at Villarreal.
United will be without Rooney on Tuesday. He begins a two-game Champions League suspension after being sent off for two yellow cards in the draw at Villarreal.
Benfica have started to roll under new coach Ronald Koeman. After posting the side’s worst start to a season — two losses and a draw — Benfica have won their past two league games, and beat Lille 1-0 in the Champions League opener two weeks ago to lead group D.
”We won the last three matches and that gets our morale up, but Manchester is a high-quality team and part of a world elite,” said Koeman, whose club trail Porto by six points in the league. ”We must try and attack to score a goal. For that match, all our players need to be at 100%.” — Sapa-AP