United Plays Without Midfield And Gets Thrashed By Bitter Rivals

Liverpool 3 - Manchester United 1
Scorers
Liverpool: Kuyt (34,39,65)
Manchester United: Hernandez (90)

Team: Van der Sar, Smalling, Brown, Rafael (O'Shea 76), Evra, Scholes (Fletcher 84), Carrick, Giggs, Nani (Hernandez 45), Rooney, Berbatov

This was a fully deserved defeat, and a typical end to a horrible week. We started with a diabolical lost to Chelsea, then came the news we were extending Carrick's contract and now climaxing with a terrible defeat to Liverpool.

We had a healthy amount of possession in this game but playing without any midfielders of note, we had no cutting edge. Rooney and Berbatov were left out to dry and a matter of time before Liverpool took advantage. Bar a Berbatov effort that clipped the post, we rarely made our superiority in possession count.

Giggs was having one of those nightmare games where he just kept giving the ball away and again and again. Almost every move United made was single-handedly broken down by him.

And don't get me started on that absolutely useless Michael Carrick. I wonder what in the world Ferguson sees in him to extend his contract. I would have gladly returned him to Spurs for a bag of chips. He provides no attacking impetus and all he does in midfield is make lateral passes, mostly to Scholes. Damn, if Ferguson wanted someone to make lateral passes, he could have hired me. I make pretty sweet lateral passes, and I cost way less. Hell, if he asks nicely, I might even do it for free. If his normal invisible man act wasn't bad enough, he decided to stamp his mark on the game by being absolutely dreadful today.

Suarez danced his way thru our defence and set Kuyt up for the opener, a well deserved goal for the hungrier team. As if watching Giggs and Carrick piss the game away wasn't bad enough, Nani decided to get into the act. He added to his bulging assist number with another one today. With no one around him, he headed a clearance right to Kuyt and set up the second goal on a platter. At that point in time, you knew it was curtains.

The drama for the half hadn't ended. Carragher then proceeded to literally leave his mark on Nani with a dreadful challenge. It almost sparked a mass brawl, with Nani at the centre of it. He was later stretched off the pitch and replaced by Hernandez. Rafael then got himself involved with Skrtal and sparked another come together of the players. Phil Dowd handled both situations brilliantly, unlike some referee at midweek.

Kuyt got his hattrick in the second half when Van der Sar spilled Suarez's freekick. Meanwhile, Giggs and Carrick continued their devastating rampage. Hernandez eventually got a consolation but it was too little too late.

The defeat completely eroded whatever advantage we have in the title race. We now lead Arsenal by a miserly 3 points and they have a goal in hand. Add to that, they seemingly have an easier run in. The only saving grace is that they have a ridiculous injury list.

In truth, we don't deserve the title this season. We have been helped largely by our opponents screwing up at crucial times and our nonchalant style of play is finally catching up to us. By now, it must be crystal clear to Ferguson that our don't have a midfield. For a huge part of the season, we've been riding on Nani's shoulders in that department. We need to spend in the summer to bring in suitable replacements for the aging and the incompetent. No more excuses.

That being said, I somehow get the feeling that despite the proclaimations that funds are avilable, it's somewhat a smokescreen. The fact we so willingly extended the contracts of Fletcher and Carrick seems to tell a different story. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Fletcher, but his form this season leaves alot to be desired. And don't get me started on Carrick again, I could go on and on and shame the Duracell bunny.

As much as I want us to win, I think this defeat could very well open Ferguson's eyes to what most of us fans have known for a long time - that this squad simply isn't good enough. If he doesn't, or can't, see this, then perhaps he's no longer the manager to lead us forward.