Team Focus: The Challenges Ahead for Man United

Last season was a somewhat bittersweet one for Sir Alex Ferguson and Man United. While the club celebrated clinching a record nineteenth title to reclaim the Premier League from Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea, their final fixture of the season proved a chastening experience.

The Champions League Final against Barcelona was nothing more than a master-class from Pep Guardiola’s side, with the 3-1 score line undoubtedly flattering the Premier League winners. Post-match, Fergie was magnanimous in defeat, admitting:

“In my time as a manager it is the best team we have faced. I think everyone acknowledges that. I accept that. It’s not easy when you have been well beaten like that to think any other way“.

At the same time, the United boss is not one to give up easily. Indeed, Fergie then moved to suggest the manner of his opponent’s performance could well shape his future thinking:

“We all have a challenge with Barcelona. Of course, where we start to find a way to do that is something we will mull over during the summer. We are not lost on ideas at our club. Hopefully we come up with the right ones“.

The Challenges Ahead

1) Freshen Up the Squad

With the likes of Paul Scholes and Edwin Van der Sar joining Gary Neville in retiring, Fergie clearly needed to bring in reinforcements this summer. So far, the club has spent £50m on new signings and, with players such as Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck returning to the fold after seasons on loan at Wigan and Sunderland respectively, a total of seven new faces will play a part in the 2011/12 season for United.

This influx of younger, hungry players has offset the loss of more experienced campaigners- the average age of the players making their way to Old Trafford is 21; compare this to the seven who have exited the club- an average age of 30. The club’s second half comeback against Man City in last Sunday’s Community Shield was not only memorable for its attacking verve- but the average age of Fergie’s XI after the interval was just under 22.  
Players In: Average Age 21

Transfers: David de Gea (20), Phil Jones (19), Ashley Young (26)
Loan Players Returning: Tom Cleverley (21), Danny Welbeck (20), Federico Macheda (19), Mame Biram Diouf (23)

Players Out: Average Age 30

Transfers: John O’Shea (30), Wes Brown (31), Gabriel Obertan (22)
Loan: Bebe (21)
Retired: Paul Scholes (36), Edwin Van der Sar (40)
Released: Owen Hargreaves (30)

United XI, Aged 25 or Under

Indeed, a look at the following United XI shows just how youthful a side Fergie has acquired. Every member of this starting eleven is 25 or under:2) Improve a Poor Away Domestic Record

Fixtures
There’s no doubt Fergie has found the perfect formula when it comes to league games at Old Trafford. United had the best home record of any side in Europe’s top five divisions, dropping only two points in front of their own fans over the course of the season.

On the road, however, matters were different; United won just 5 away games in 2010/11, the same number as relegated Blackpool. With 10 draws in addition, they averaged less than half the number of points away than they did at home (1.13 to 2.89) and scored more than 1 goal per game more at Old Trafford (2.57 to 1.51) than they did on their travels. They also fared far worse defensively, conceding 25 goals away compared to a meagre 12 on home turf.

Team Stats

United had 14 shots per game at home, second only to Chelsea on 15. Carlo Ancelotti’s side also led the way for shots on the road with 15, whereas Fergie’s side managed 11, the same number as West Brom. With 16 yellow cards at Old Trafford, they received the least cautions of any home team but 40 bookings away was the third most ill-disciplined of any side on their travels as frustration got the better of United‘s players.

United topped WhoScored.com’s ratings for average home performance, with 7.14 per game- away, they were fifth, with an average of 6.72 the worst of the top five sides.

3) Catch Barcelona

Is it possible to overcome a team many already consider the best club side of all-time? To be honest, you have to say it’s doubtful. With the world’s best player, Lionel Messi, and the metronomic genius that is Xavi pulling the strings in midfield alongside Andreas Iniesta, Barcelona just seem on a different level to any side on the planet right now.

Could a tactical tweak be the answer? Will Fergie look to replicate the class 2008/09 where Rooney, Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez wreaked havoc up front? The possible addition of Wesley Sneijder could be key to unlocking his side’s potential. Whatever the United boss alluded to when he mentioned the Barca defeat would give him ideas over the summer, only Fergie knows. As the season prepares to kick off in less than twenty-four hours, let’s leave the last word to the man himself:

“Finding a solution is not easy but that is the challenge. You should not be afraid of the challenge. Maybe this could be the kind of stepping stone we had when we lost 4-0 (to Barcelona in 1994). We improved from that. We want to improve. Next season may see us improve even more“.