-
Manchester United striker Michael Owen - Source: Reuters -
Related
Just two games into the season is hardly reason to hit the panic button, but the Red Devils shock loss at Burnley on Thursday threw up some interesting questions for followers of Alex Ferguson and his men.
18 and strife
It was Burnley's first ever home match in the Premier League and
what a way to start.
Manchester United had won their previous 17 matches against newly
promoted teams and would have expected to thrive against players
who faced off against the likes of Barnsley, Blackpool and
Doncaster last season
Early lead
The Red Devils had over 70 minutes to find a goal at Turf Moor after Burnley took their stunning early lead. Burnley's Brian Jensen had a great game between the posts but United did struggle to carve out clear cut chances in their usual manner and the traditional late onslaught failed to materialise.
Watching the clock
What happened to the Gaffer? Whenever United have been trailing late in matches Alex Ferguson is always pacing the touchlines, chewing wads of gum and checking the three or four watches slung over his wrists. At Burnley the 67-year-old sat placidly in the stands for the entire match.
Telepathy
In the 77th minute United strikers Dimitir Berbatov and Wayne
Rooney both desperately chased a ball as it headed towards the
Burnley goal line.
In a classic case of "Yours - no Yours" both megastars left it for
each other and it dribbled harmlessly out for a goal kick.
No telepathy here - just apathy.
Lacking a leader
On Thursday United clearly lacked leadership on the park. While
they are missing key players through injury, it is also clear that
Ronaldo, in his own unique way, was a leader at Old Trafford and
this aspect will be sorely missed.
Plus of course the incredible 70 goals and 30 assists he
contributed over the last two Premier League seasons.
