Grim.
A failed regime limped through another contest on Wednesday night, scraping through to die another day. It was another damaging night, but, despite their best attempts, they could not get out of Europe or get rid of their ineffectual leader.
But enough about the Tory Party, Theresa May and their nonsense, Manchester United fell to another defeat in a season full of them. This one was particularly bad.
In their final Champions League tie of the group stages, United suffered their sixth defeat of the season, losing 2-1 away to Valencia.
It was their second loss in European competition this season. Yet, thanks to fortunate victories over Young Boys and Juventus, they had already assured their place in the knockout stages.
Carlos Soler opened the scoring in the first half and Phil Jones had a Phil Jones in the second half, putting the ball beyond Romero in the United goal.
Phil Jones OG!
It goes from bad to worse for Man. United at the Mestalla!#VMSport #UCL pic.twitter.com/WsLKCNF8KB
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) December 12, 2018
It was Jones’ fourth own goal for United. Since joining the club in 2011, he has scored five times in the right net.
He has played almost 200 times for United and could eclipse Eric Cantona’s appearance total before the end of the season.
Jones will probably survive the end of Jose Mourinho’s reign and the reign of the next manager. He’s only 26. There is plenty of time to score more own goals.
This latest defeat, of course, reflects poorly on Mourinho.
United made several changes for the game, but they started two of the most expensive midfielders in football history – Paul Pogba and Fred. The team looked lost, unclear about exactly what they were supposed to do as they lazily strolled about the pitch.
But there is little else to say about the United manager, he should never have been appointed and should have been removed from his role by now.
No club in La Liga has scored less than Valencia’s 12 in 15 this season. Only Huesca, bottom, have failed to score more.
Marca this week had an article suggesting major reason Marcelino hasn’t been sacked is there’s a feeling everything wasn’t so bad, apart from scoring goals.
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) December 12, 2018
This defeat showed that the problems with the club go beyond him and his stale tactics and approach.
There is no excuse for missing a chance like this, it conveys just how sloppy and complacent Pogba can be, and exactly why Mourinho, for all his faults, feels he can’t rely on the French midfielder.
🙊🙊🙊
What a miss from Paul Pogba! #VMSport #UCL pic.twitter.com/JilNCO4Zma
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) December 12, 2018
But, nothing will come of this latest defeat. Mourinho will blame the players. The team will limp on. Some United fans will tell themselves it doesn’t matter, that the club had already reached the last-16 of the competition. Which is, of course, true.
However, it doesn’t disguise how awful United were.
When they’re bad, they’re utterly awful. When they’re good, or rather when they get a result, they’re usually lucky.
Manchester United's possible UCL opponents: #MUFC #VALMUN
Barcelona
Bayern Munich
Borussia Dortmund
FC Porto
Paris Saint-Germain
Real Madrid— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) December 12, 2018
There is no pattern to their play or to their approach as a club. United need to hit reset.
On the evidence of the campaign so far, not a single side remaining in the competition will fear facing them in the knockout stages.
"My wife would've scored that!"
Graeme Souness' analysis on that Pogba miss tonight. 😂 pic.twitter.com/cQJhDncBcz
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) December 12, 2018
