Is Manchester United Really Bad Or Simply Unlucky?

This is the question one can ask himself after watching Manchester United lose yet again this season. The Red Devils lost on their home field to Sunderland (0-1) on Saturday, May 3. 

This was the 11th loss for Manchester United, making it the worst season in the history of the club. The club will not qualify for any European Cup: A first in 20 years! 

So is Manchester United simply terrible this season or very unlucky? If you watched their games this season you could ask yourself the same question. It seems that the team does everything it can to win, especially at home, but just can't score. The team averages a possession of 60 percent, shots on goal at least 10 times in a game, and has a 1.44 goal for average, which means the team scores at least one goal every game. 

Against Sunderland, Manchester United players tried and tried, over and over, but never found the net.  The full-backs played many balls in front of the goal, but no one was there to finish. The Red Devils only had one clear opportunity to score when Van Persie deflected a cross coming from the right side and missed the net for a few inches. This is surely not enough to win a game. 

The main issue with the Red Devils this season is their defense. Sunderland could have won the game 3-0 if they hadn't hit the post two times in the second half. Manchester concedes an average of one goal per game, and lost seven games on a one goal margin this season. As a comparison, the team only lost five games last season. However, they still allowed 43 goals (for 40 this season), which shows that the defense was already terrible last year. 

The injuries of Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney could explain the bad showing this season. Van Persie had 30 goals last season for 17 this year. Without them, Manchester struggled to score goals. 

On top of that, Manchester had some really unlucky days, sometimes hitting the post two or three days in a game, or getting strange refereeing decisions. Many games should have gone their way, but slipped away from their grasp. That's also the beauty of football! 

United is having the worst season in the history of the club. A season that led to their brand-new manager, David Moyes, getting fired. Manchester will have to start over again next season with yet another manager. 

It seems that the departure of the legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson has dried out United's thirst for victory...         

Is Mata The Right Fit For Man Utd?

This is the question everybody is asking amid the possible transfer of the Spanish player from Chelsea FC to Manchester United for $40 million Euros. Juan Mata, 25, has been looking for a way out of the London club where he struggled to get a starting spot since the beginning of the season. So if this deal works out, let's hope everyone will be happy! But I doubt it...

Is Manchester making the right choice by signing Juan Mata? Mata is a technically gifted player, winner of the World Cup and the Euro with Spain. He is a player many teams would like to have. However, many experts are saying that Mata won't fit in the system and the philosophy of Man Utd. Former Manchester player Gary Neville has expressed his doubts regarding Mata's ability to help Manchester getting better.

"Does he fit in with what I would call the typical Manchester United philosophy? I would say no!" 

However, Neville also said that Mata was a fantastic player who knows the Premier League and could bring some creativity to the Red Devils' game. That is something they greatly need! Manchester is struggling so far, stuck in eighth place, far away from the top four. The injuries of Rooney and Van Persie have hurt the club and the substitutes are having a hard time grabbing wins.

But will Mata play when Rooney and Van Persie will be back? How is Moyes going to manage so many players playing in similar positions? With Rooney, Young, Januszaj, Giggs, Nani, Welbeck and Valencia, Mata will have a tough time to earn--and keep--a spot! Mata played 17 games, scoring once and giving three assists with Chelsea this season.

So, will Moyes change his system to include the Spanish player? Maybe he should when you look at how bad his team is this season! One thing is sure, the young Spanish player is hungry; Hungry for playing time! He wants to touch the ball and to score goals! He also wants to play the World Cup in Brazil and this would only happen if he is effective on the field! No pressure... 

There could be one, and only one, big winner after this deal: Chelsea!  

    

Everton Stops Gunners In Thrilling Draw

Arsenal FC missed the opportunity to get a seven-point lead at the top of the BArclays Premier League after a 1-1 draw with Everton FC, today at the Emirates Stadium.

Everton offered a very good opposition to the Gunners, surfing on the wave after their great win at Old Trafford against Manchester United early this week. The Toffees played like they were at home, even having more possession than Arsenal! A great achievement for Robert Martinez' team.

The game was incredibly even and the final result is logical as both teams played great football and offered a good show to the fans. Especially in the final 10 minutes of the game!

As both teams were tied, 0-0, Arsenal was pushing higher to score, but was struggling to control the ball and the tempo of the game. We rarely saw the Gunners having so much difficulty to put their style in place. Everton pressured the Gunners and forced them to play long balls most of the time. However, in one of the few good build-ups, Rosicky had time to play a good ball over the defense for Walcott. The international English headed back the ball toward the penalty spot. Olivier Giroud missed his volley, but Mesut Ozil, who had a great game today, was there to score. Arsenal took the lead with even minutes left in the game!

But the beauty of English football makes it that a game is never over until the final whistle is blown and Everton knows that.

After Arsenal's goal, the Gunners left the ball to the Toffees, like they were waiting for them to score and tie the game. And that's exactly what Everton did!

The young and promising Spanish player Gerard Deulofeu made a decisive apparition on the field, after being subbed in with 15 minutes left in the game. Deulofeu quickly showed his skills and created opportunities for Everton and, at the 84th minute, he tied the game with a powerful shot from inside the box. Despite the power of the shot, Scezcny could probably have saved it as the ball just past over his head. 

The intensity of the game kept increasing as the end got nearer. Arsenal could even have clutched the win with an unbelievable volley from 25 yards out by Giroud which hit the woodwork! Tim Howard was beaten and Everton was lucky on that one.

Overall, the draw is logical as both teams had opportunities to score. Both sides deserved a point and it would have been almost unfair to see one of them lose today. Arsenal (35) is still on top of the league with five points ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea (30). Everton (28) is in the top five, only one point behind Manchester City (29). 

World Cup Draw: Group F, The Group Of Death

The FIFA 2014 World Cup Draw was held today in Brazil with managers of all 32 teams waiting to see their fate. 

If some teams seem lucky after the draw, such as France or Argentina, others will face a much tougher opposition. Here is an overview of the groups and their consequences.

Group A:

1. Brazil
2. Croatia
3. Mexico
4. Cameroon

Not such an easy group for the host with promising teams like Croatia and Mexico. Cameroon can also pull through as African teams are always tough to beat. 

Players to follow: Neymar (Brazil), Modric (Croatia), Javier Hernandez (Mexico) and Eto'o (Cameroon).  

Group B:

1. Spain
2. Netherlands
3. Chile
4. Australia

An incredible opening game in this group as both finalists of the previous edition will face each other. Spain will want to grab a fourth international title in a row, a first in football history. Netherlands will want to take their revenge from the defeat in the 2010 World Cup Final. Chile could find a way with interesting players such as Sanchez (Barcelona) and Vidal (Juventus). As for Australia, it's hard to see them win a single game -or even a single point- in this group.

Players to follow: Xavi(33) and Iniesta (29) (Spain), as the magic duo might be playing their last world cup, especially Xavi. Robben (Netherlands), Vidal (Chile), Tim Cahill (Australia).

Group C:

1. Colombia
2. Greece
3. Ivory Coast
4. Japan

Probably the most open group as all four teams look to be even. Ivory Coast might be the favorite, lead by players such as Drogba, Kalou and Gervinho. Greece, who qualified in the playoffs against Romania, is a strong team defensively, only conceding four goals in 12 games in the qualifying stage. The South American side of the group, Colombia, will be a threat offensively with Radamel Falcao, flanked by young, but promising players like Muriel (22, or Quintero (20). Finally, Japan will count on their main player, Deisuke Honda,  to get out of the group stage. 

Players to follow: Drogba (Ivory Coast), Mitroglou (Greece), Quintero (Colombia) and Honda (Japan).

Group D:

1. Uruguay
2. Costa Rica
3. England
4. Italy

An interesting group with three major teams (Uruguay, England and Italy) and a promising Costa Rican side. England won't have an easy task ahead and the rest of the competition will be shaped by the first game against Italy. Uruguay is always a difficult team to beat and this generation of players is probably the best ever for the South Americans with stars like Suarez, Cavani, Ramirez and the experienced Forlan. Italy will want to play as well as they did during the Euro 2012 and will count on their maestro Andrea Pirlo and their defensive master Buffon, who will play their last world cup. Costa Rica is a fairly unknown side, but might be able to create a few surprises.

Players to follow: Suarez (Uruguay), Rooney (England), Pirlo (Italy) and Campbell (Costa Rica)

Group E:

1. Switzerland
2. Ecuador
3. France
4. Honduras

Lucky France you might say! This group seems to be the easiest one France could have ended up with. Fairly inexperienced teams, for the exception of Switzerland which always plays great football during international competitions. However, France should not believe they are already through as history showed that easy group stages not necessarily mean qualifications. Editions of 2002 and 2010 are proofs for Les Bleus. 

Players to watch: Seferovic (Switzerland), Ribery (France), Costly (Honduras) and Valencia (Ecuador).

Group F:

1. Argentina
2. Bosnia
3. Iran
4. Nigeria

Surely Argentina should finish top of the group with Messi carrying the team or even resting for the rest of the competition. Bosnia plays his first world cup ever and will like to show the world that they did not qualify because of pure chance. Iran will play his fourth world cup in Brazil with an aging group of players (average of 28 year-old). We all know Nigeria has what it takes to pull through this one with players like Obi Mikel, Moses or Enyeama. 

Players to follow: Messi (Argentina), Pjanic (Bosnia), Enyeama (Nigeria) and Nekounam (Iran).

Group G:

1. Germany
2. Portugal
3. Ghana
4. USA 

The group of death! Hard to tell which team will finish in first place, even if Germany seems to be favorite, followed by Portugal. However, USA and Ghana are always surprising sides and could give some trouble to the two favorites. Germany and Portugal will be a massive opening game and the winner of this one will take a major option in the clutching of the first place. Germany's golden generation will want to shine in Brazil, while Cristiano Ronaldo will be, once again, the main attraction of Portugal and will want to finally win the world cup! Also, keep an eye on the Boatengs' duel (Germany-Ghana).

Players to follow: Gotze (Germany), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Boateng (Ghana) and Donovan (USA).

Group H:

1. Belgium
2. Algeria
3. Russia
4. South Korea

Once again, an open group with all four teams that could manage to qualify. Favorites are Belgium with a wonderful group of players such as Hazard, Fellaini, Kompany, Benteke or Courtois. Algeria is the only team from North Africa and will want to make a good impression. Russia is always a strong side with a local league growing stronger on the European landscape with teams like Zenith and CSKA Moscow. South Korea has been struggling since their great campaign at home in 2002. They will like to get back in the top and this group is the opportunity to do so. 

Players to follow: Hazard (Belgium), Belfodil (Algeria), Akinfeev (Russia) and Lee Chung-Yong (South Korea).

The opening ceremony of the 2014 World Cup will take place in June, 12, in Sao Paulo, followed by the first game between the host, Brazil, and Croatia. 

Give your predictions!