As the Independent ran a feature last week about ¨ten reasons why United will win the league¨, here are five good reasons why they will not make it:
1) Away form - all title winning sides have in the past shown it is necessary to win away. United have won just four out of fourteen games on the road all season. Even Blackpool and Newcastle
2) The Old Guard - having experienced players is one thing, having players who are just over the hill is a different kettle of fish altogether. van der Sar, Giggs and Scholes were all great players but they are now asked to play week in week out despite being 41, 38 and 37 respectively.
3) Ferdinand - He is not exactly old but you cant help but feel that the rumours of him being a party boy is taking its toll now as he keeps on suffering injuries and takes longer to recover.
4) No sparkle in midfield- since Ronaldo has left, United has lacked that creativity in midfield. Where are their Nasri, Fabregas or Yaya Toure ? Nani has improved a lot but he is still not at the level of Ronaldo, while Scholes and Giggs are past it.
5) No strength in depth. Remove Ferdinand, Vidic and Rooney from the team and United struggle very badly. Smalling and Brown are not good covers for Vidic and Ferdinand and they do not have amazing options up front either.
And here is one reason why they could still win it....
OLD TRAFFORD : Yes, the same team that won just 4 out of 14 away from home somehow magically transforms itself into a winning machine at home ( 13 wins out of 14). Perhaps Howard Webb was Ferguson´s best signing after all...
