Chris Smalling looked skywards in disbelief after his late headed attempt struck a post. Manchester United were left to reflect on 20 attempts on goal without scoring against Newcastle United.
Not since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson have Manchester United kept four successive clean sheets in the league — with Smalling being influential in achieving that here — but those defensive efforts are being undermined by the problems farther forward. Louis van Gaal, the manager, said that his club would sign a striker only if he is “the best in the world”, but United’s attack is operating far from that level, with Wayne Rooney’s well documented struggles continuing.
Neymar is reportedly interested in a move to United — and arguably fits into that “best in the world” category — whether that is during this transfer window or as part of a longer-term strategy. For now, though, Smalling is focusing on the present squad, who are becoming more ruthless as a unit.
“I think quite a few teams will rock up like Newcastle and put a lot of men behind the ball,” Smalling said, before boldly claiming that Manchester United will eventually bulldoze through the blockades. “I think, if most teams come out like they did here, we will win easily, 3-0 or 4-0.”
That statement appears to be based on hope rather than evidence, particularly as there are question marks over whether the defence can continue being so tight. They are still accused of some softness, despite the clean sheets. “I feel like I bullied players in quite a few matches — it’s just a case of getting consistency,” Smalling argued. “Daley [Blind] is not the sort of centre back who is going to dominate, so it’s a case of myself taking that mantle on.”
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The worry is that dominance, this season, has not forced opposition submission. Manchester United, far too ponderous and static when going forward for long passages of this match, have scored only two goals in three league games despite their possession.
Wednesday night’s Champions League play-off second leg against Club Bruges could offer timely comfort. “We don’t have a week to feel sorry for ourselves,” Smalling said. “In a few days, we have got arguably the biggest game of the season.”
Playing in the Champions League group stage would bring new tests to the depths of Manchester United’s attacking. Rooney was unfortunate to have a fourth-minute strike ruled out, in a marginal offside call, but his barren run has extended to 858 minutes and others are not compensating.
Rooney’s frustration, in a lone-striker formation, was palpable in his body language and movement, as he was again forced to drop deep for touches.
The lack of remedies suggests that United urgently need a new forward, contrary to the claims of the manager, who refused to comment on whether Neymar is a target — and must still be smarting from missing out to Chelsea for Pedro.
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Javier Hernández was brought on for the final quarter of this game, in place of Adnan Januzaj, but missed arguably the best chance of that period.
The problems are being exacerbated by issues in midfield. Bastian Schweinsteiger made his first start for the club but, despite promising signs early on, he faded and sustained an ankle problem then departed before the hour-mark. Ander Herrera was left as an unused substitute, perhaps too much of a free spirit to fit into Van Gaal’s more rigid approach.
“Wayne Rooney has to do what the striker has to do, in our system, so I am very satisfied with him,” Van Gaal said. “I think he has to cope [with his frustration] because he knows the football world. I spoke with him, so I don’t think there’s any more to say.”
When asked if the arrival of a new striker could lift the club, Van Gaal replied: “Maybe you can ask Mr Woodward [Ed, the executive vice-chairman]”.
The United manager added: “When he is the best striker in the world then, yes, we need him. But he has to contribute. You have seen with Radamel Falcao and Ángel Di María last season; great players, but they have to adapt to the culture of Manchester United.”
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Ratings
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): S Romero 7 — M Darmian 6 (sub: A Valencia, 77min), C Smalling 7, D Blind 6, L Shaw 7 — M Schneiderlin 7, B Schweinsteiger 5 (sub: M Carrick, 59 7) — J Mata 7, A Januzaj 6 (sub: J Hernandez, 67 6), M Depay 6 — W Rooney 5. Substitutes not used: S Johnstone, A Young, A Herrera, P McNair. Booked: Darmian, Shaw.
Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): T Krul 8 — C Mbemba 7, F Coloccini 8, S Taylor 7, M Haïdara 6 — V Anita 6, J Colback 7 — G Obertan 6 (sub: F Thauvin, 69 7), G Wijnaldum 6, A Perez 7 (sub: C Tiote, 78) — A Mitrovic 7 (sub: P Cisse, 88). Substitutes not used: K Darlow, M Williamson, S De Jong, R Aarons. Booked: Haidara, Obertan.
Rooney eyes feast after goal famine
Wayne Rooney, having not scored in his past ten games for Manchester United, will hope to continue his habit of following droughts with floods of goals.
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Rooney at United
From Dec 2014: 0 goals in 9 games, then 6 in 8
Apr 2013: 0 in 8, then 4 in 3
Apr 2009: 0 in 7, then 6 in 6
Apr 2008: 0 in 8, then 5 in 5
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May 2007: 0 in 10, then 7 in 7
Feb 2007: 0 in 7, then 11 in 12
Dec 2005: 0 in 12, then 8 in 10
Words by Bill Edgar