Skip to content

Flawed and fabulous, Manchester United gives up three goals in Boxing Day win

Dec 26, 2012, 12:33 PM EDT

Manchester United v Newcastle United - Premier League Getty Images

The defending remained terrible, which made the outcome foreseeably dramatic. In hindsight, it was foolish to dismiss any Manchester United game (including today’s) as being predictable. With the firepower to overcome any foolishness at the back, the Premier League’s leaders will forever have to out-shoot their opponents, something that’s lead them to the top of an entertaining if highly flawed Premier League.

Today was no different. David de Gea deserved an assist on Newcastle’s opener, his poor block pushing a long range shot right into the path of James Perch (the only onrushing attacker). A 29th minute Jonny Evans’ own goal restored the Magpies’ lead shortly after the Red Devils’ defender had equalized. After new goal scoring machine Patrice Evra (up to four goals on the season) pulled United back, Papiss Demba Cisse put Newcastle in front with 22 minutes left.

But then Manchester United did Manchester United things. Robin van Persie hit his league-leading 13th goal three minutes later, bringing the Red Devils back for the third time. Then as regulation time ended, Javier Hernández beat Tim Krul low to deliver full points, giving United a seven-point lead and one more point than they had at the same juncture last year.

If any 4-3 result was predictable, this was it.

MORE: Wayne Rooney left out of Boxing Day squad

There’s no more entertaining team in the world right now than Manchester United, adulation which serves as a double edged sword. If they don’t have the best set of attackers in the world, they certainly have the most clinical, the team posting an amazing conversion rate throughout their campaign. But their defense is nowhere near good enough to sustain their style of play, particularly on days when Michael Carrick is asked to carry Paul Scholes in midfield.

Not good enough to hold leads, Manchester United provides opponents no reason to revere them the way Barcelona and Bayern Munich are esteemed. If you go after them, you will score on the Red Devils. Your best chance to win is to hope they’ll sit on a lead (as they did against Manchester City) or fail to convert the chances they create (as they did against Everton and Norwich).

MORE: Hart, Mancini failings on display for City

They’re the perfect leaders of a league that has proved enticing if extremely flawed. As the league’s performances in Champions League showed, there are no great teams in England, but there are a number (like Liverpool, Fulham, Southampton, and even Chelsea) whose entertainment value transcends their results.

Were those clubs (or Manchester United) in Spain or Germany, they would sit lower in the standings. But England doesn’t have to be the highest quality competition every year. Let leagues ebb and flow, especially if they’re going to offset their drops with fun factor that augments the best talent in the world.

And no doubt, today’s game at Old Trafford wasn’t the highest quality soccer. But it was fun. It was exactly why the Premier League is the most popular league in the world, if not necessarily the best.

Latest Posts
  1. Titus Bramble on his way to MLS

    May 23, 2013, 2:39 PM EDT

    Sunderland v Bolton Wanderers - FA Cup Third Round Replay Getty Images

    Sunderland’s central defender will say goodbye to the English Premier League in exchange for a switch stateside.

  2. Manchester City president shoots down high-profile transfer links

    May 23, 2013, 2:00 PM EDT

    Manchester City Football Club CEO Soriano speaks at news conference in New York Reuters

    Chelsea fans will be delighted, while those supporting Manchester City are sure to question who’s on their team’s mind.

  3. Should Europa League winners be awarded a spot in the Champions League?

    May 23, 2013, 1:37 PM EDT

    PST Chel

    Should the champions of the Europa League be awarded a spot in the following season’s Champions League?

  4. Espanyol fans upset with Barca shirt on the statute of Christopher Columbus

    May 23, 2013, 12:07 PM EDT

    FBL-ESP-BARCELONA-COLUMBUS

    The city’s decision to permit Columbus to wear angers Espanyol fans, who believe Barca receives too much support from local institutions.

  5. Gonzalo Higuain close to Juventus move while others continue the chase

    May 23, 2013, 11:22 AM EDT

    FBL-ESP-LIGA-REALMADRID-VALLADOLID

    Despite notching an impressive 104 goals in 185 matches since moving to the Bernabeu in 2007, Higuain has struggled this season.

  6. What should Thomas Vermaelen do?

    May 23, 2013, 10:04 AM EDT

    Vermo

    With Arsenal rumored to be courting Swansea center-back Ashley Williams, Thomas Vermaelen has some decisions to make.

  7. Poor Strama, Allegri: Inter, AC Milan leave coaches in limbo

    May 22, 2013, 11:51 PM EDT

    FC Internazionale Milano v Udinese Calcio - Serie A Getty Images

    Serie A’s two Milanese clubs have yet to move for new head coaches.

  8. Full circle: Misantrope’s revival could land Benítez in Paris, Madrid, or Naples

    May 22, 2013, 11:06 PM EDT

    Chelsea's interim manager Benitez looks on before their English Premier League soccer match against Southampton at St. Mary's Stadium in Southampton

    Over the last three months, Rafa Benítez has reignited a floundering career.

  9. It’s piling on for Reign FC, who may permanently lose Megan Rapinoe to Lyon

    May 22, 2013, 10:14 PM EDT

    Megan Rapinoe

    The hits just keep on coming for the NWSL’s hard-luck team.

  10. U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round draw: What it means for your MLS team

    May 22, 2013, 9:20 PM EDT

    Open Cup logo

    The U.S. Open Cup draws sometimes need a decoder ring to decipher. Here’s a quick-and-dirty look at the MLS teams’ futures.

  11. With PSG willing to match Wayne Rooney’s wages, Manchester United has somebody to bail them out

    May 22, 2013, 8:17 PM EDT

    Everton v Manchester United - Premier League Getty Images

    If PSG’s willing to take Rooney’s wages of their hands, Manchester United can justify moving on.

  12. Crimes and misdemeanors: Congratulations, Bobby Boswell – you’re this week’s winner

    May 22, 2013, 7:32 PM EDT

    Bobby Boswell head shot

    Houston’s defensive leader sees his banned doubled by the Disciplinary Committee.

  13. Sauerbrunn, Quon, and why its still too early to see NWSL’s influence on Sermanni’s choices

    May 22, 2013, 6:47 PM EDT

    Becky Sauerbrunn (C) congrtulates goal-s

    Tom Sermanni has brought new talent into the national team, but it’s too early to know the extent to which the U.S.’s roster will see new faces.

  14. José Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo pick up meaningless two-match bans

    May 22, 2013, 6:02 PM EDT

    FBL-EUR-C1-REALMADRID-DORTMUND

    Cristiano Ronaldo will serve a two-match ban. José Mourinho will skirt it.

  15. The Hype: Will the Yankees be able to bring more fans to MLS?

    May 22, 2013, 5:26 PM EDT

    Screen shot 2013-05-22 at 2.23.14 PM

    Michele Beadle and friends take a look at what NYCFC means to the New York sports scene.

  16. Analyzing the ills of Chivas USA on the field

    May 22, 2013, 4:44 PM EDT

    Walter Vilchez

    We tend to beat up the Chivas organization for its off-the-wall strategic approaches and front-office instability, but what exactly is wrong with the team on the field?

  17. Looking at the United States’ roster ahead of their Canada rematch

    May 22, 2013, 4:03 PM EDT

    Alex Morgan,  Abby Wombach

    Yesterday’s announcement included few surprises ahead of the U.S.’s June 2 match at BMO Field.

  18. German Bundesliga head blasts FIFA’s Qatar choice

    May 22, 2013, 3:18 PM EDT

    Qatar 2022

    Well, what took them so long to get into the party?

  19. Which EPL club would suit Andy Carroll best?

    May 22, 2013, 2:05 PM EDT

    English forward Andy Carroll controls th Getty Images

    As the towering English forward weighs up his options, should he return to Liverpool, sign for West Ham or go elsewhere?

Top 10 Player Searches
  1. M. Garza (MLB)
  2. J. Garcia (MLB)
  3. A. Eaton (MLB)
  4. D. Wade (NBA)
  5. G. Hill (NBA)