Chelsea show United up as also rans

13 April 2012

Ever the master psychologist, Sir Alex Ferguson has tried just about every tactic he knows to jolt Manchester United from their malaise.

Denial and paranoia have been there in ample measure as Ferguson has railed against his critics and then taken a vow of silence with the media.

Unequivocal support for his under-performing players was also apparent early in the season before that was replaced, against the background of worsening results, by frank criticism and aggressive questioning of both desire and work ethic.

But as Ferguson reflected on the humiliation of Saturday's 3-0 dismantling at the hands of Chelsea, he had no choice than to admit to himself that, for once, his repertoire had failed him.

Such is the crisis that now grips Old Trafford that it was time for something new. And so we were left aghast at the old warrior's insistence that - on the first day of December - his team's quest for one more Premiership title was over.

Only Ferguson will know whether he threw the towel in for real as he spoke to his club's in-house TV station or whether he was hoping his display of uncharacteristic resignation would drag his players from their slumbers.

Whatever, this day, as depressing as almost any in recent United history, marked the moment when responsibility passed from manager's office to dressing room.

For the past 15 years, Ferguson has built an empire that will - with any kind of proper handling - survive and prosper once he retires next June. In every way, he has done his bit.

Now it is the turn of his players to do theirs.

Eight points from the Premiership-summit, a defensive-record better only than West Ham and now their worst Premiership home defeat for nine years.

Certainly, Ferguson has made mistakes. His decision to play Roy Keane at centre back on Saturday was testimony to his foolish decision to sell Jaap Stam, while his tinkering with a trusted and understood team formation has bred confusion. None of this, however, serves as an excuse for what Ferguson watched on Saturday.

This was a defeat born not of individual mistakes but of collective and embarrassing dereliction of duty.

Of particular note were the failings of two men who confront each other in Japan next summer - David Beckham and Juan Sebastian Veron.

As England captain, Beckham is an inspirational figure, while Veron is similarly vital to tournament favourites Argentina. For United, though, they are presently as inspiring as a wet Wednesday in Eccles.

On Saturday, Beckham was substituted for the second week running, while Veron was the epitome of irrelevance. It has to change.

United surrendered possession with appalling neglect and their witless long balls towards Andy Cole and Ruud van Nistelrooy were a betrayal of all Ferguson has taught them.

Against excellent opposition sensing rare opportunity, they were punished clinically and brutally.

Goals one and three for Chelsea - a sixth-minute header from Mario Melchiot and a composed, angled shot from Eidur Gudjohnsen four minutes from time - were disturbing enough from a defensive viewpoint, but it was Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink ' s decisive strike in the 64th minute that said most about United's frailties.

Even when Veron conceded possession to Hasselbaink on the halfway line, there was no clear danger. But as the Holland striker passed to Gudjohnsen, Keane was plunged into a dilemma. Unable to trust Blanc one-on-one with the Chelsea forward, he drifted infield to cover and, as play was again switched to Hasselbaink, the Chelsea man was free to score across Fabien Barthez.

Don't be fooled, United can still win the title. But Ferguson has now asked his team the ultimate question. He is deserving of the correct answer.

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