Defeat in Basel shows United are again a squad in transition while Chelsea renew and Manchester City keep building
Sir Alex Ferguson broods in the dug-out during Manchester United's Champions League defeat in Basel. Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images
Failure is inevitable now and again but it always comes as a little surprise in the case of Sir Alex Ferguson. His career, after all, has long been devoted to overcoming nearly all obstacles. The sight of Manchester United leaving the group phase after twice being unable to defeat Basel must be as incongruous as it is painful for the Old Trafford club.
This game irked them, whether through the challenge that removed Nemanja Vidic from the game or the plain fact that they were not sharp enough in front of goal without Javier Hernández. It will be galling for Ferguson that elimination from this great tournament has befallen them in a game that ought to be well within the scope of the squad.
For Ferguson and his men regret has more often come of late from defeats by Barcelona in Champions League finals. There is no disgrace in falling to a lineup that will take an eminent place in the history of the game but the departure from the tournament at the hands of Basel is the sort of outcome to spark recriminations and questions. It will not do the balance sheet much good either.
United can once again be seen as a squad still under development. Ferguson has to see Rio Ferdinand as more of a squad player and Phil Jones, despite all the interest taken in him, is a youngster still to learn the trade of centre-half, which is why Ferguson is inclined to play safe and put him elsewhere in the lineup so that any gaucheness or mistakes are more likely to be covered by team-mates.
No manager lasts so long without going through a rough patch and Ferguson is adept at negotiating that terrain. Seamless transition is not always feasible for him, particularly when men such as Gary Neville and Paul Scholes are gone from the scene, while Ryan Giggs simply nibbles at the action as his retirement approaches. The guile of United is reduced but at least none of that comes as a shock.
Ferguson will know better than anyone what it takes to regroup, as he now must do once more. Others may have forgotten the troughs but the manager can surely call to mind the days when his stomach lurched. As recently as the 2005-06 season United were knocked out in the group phase, after taking one point against Lille Metropole and enduring a pair of draws with Villarreal.
The squad were revitalised with a swiftness that enabled them to win the Champions League or appear in the final during three of the past four campaigns. United were in a privileged position when all they usually had to brood over was the unassailable excellence of Barcelona.
The issues before the club now are of a different character. The manager has experienced the rigours of taking on opposing clubs with greater means available. If José Mourinho was not quite vanquished, Chelsea were denied total command. Now the task is more awkward for United. He would not have expected the rout that Manchester City inflicted at Old Trafford but this is no longer a matter of dealing with noisy neighbours.
There may be a roar of challenge coming from London. Roman Abramovich has begun to fund the renewal of Chelsea. Didier Drogba, despite being devastating against Valencia, is far from a striker with his best times to come but it may have been more than the wish for a new contract that impelled him. Those bemused by the difficulties encountered by André Villas-Boas may now see his real value.
In defeating Valencia Chelsea gave a well-rounded performance. There was meticulous order, with the La Liga club kept so effectively at bay that the amount of possession they enjoyed was an irrelevance. The side looked as if they knew exactly what to do and, with selective attacking, won by a comfortable margin. It is glib to compare Villas-Boas to Mourinho purely because they both caught the eye of world football with their feats at a Portuguese club.
Meanwhile Roberto Mancini, with his switch to an expansive approach, has ensured that City face sides who, no matter what they claim, are frightened of what Sergio Agüero, David Silva and the rest will do to them. Regardless of Champions League disappointment for City they and Chelsea are still bent on domination. Ferguson, for his part, is sure to be galvanised by the desire to outlast them. He is not set to leave the battle to anyone else.
This game irked them, whether through the challenge that removed Nemanja Vidic from the game or the plain fact that they were not sharp enough in front of goal without Javier Hernández. It will be galling for Ferguson that elimination from this great tournament has befallen them in a game that ought to be well within the scope of the squad.
For Ferguson and his men regret has more often come of late from defeats by Barcelona in Champions League finals. There is no disgrace in falling to a lineup that will take an eminent place in the history of the game but the departure from the tournament at the hands of Basel is the sort of outcome to spark recriminations and questions. It will not do the balance sheet much good either.
United can once again be seen as a squad still under development. Ferguson has to see Rio Ferdinand as more of a squad player and Phil Jones, despite all the interest taken in him, is a youngster still to learn the trade of centre-half, which is why Ferguson is inclined to play safe and put him elsewhere in the lineup so that any gaucheness or mistakes are more likely to be covered by team-mates.
No manager lasts so long without going through a rough patch and Ferguson is adept at negotiating that terrain. Seamless transition is not always feasible for him, particularly when men such as Gary Neville and Paul Scholes are gone from the scene, while Ryan Giggs simply nibbles at the action as his retirement approaches. The guile of United is reduced but at least none of that comes as a shock.
Ferguson will know better than anyone what it takes to regroup, as he now must do once more. Others may have forgotten the troughs but the manager can surely call to mind the days when his stomach lurched. As recently as the 2005-06 season United were knocked out in the group phase, after taking one point against Lille Metropole and enduring a pair of draws with Villarreal.
The squad were revitalised with a swiftness that enabled them to win the Champions League or appear in the final during three of the past four campaigns. United were in a privileged position when all they usually had to brood over was the unassailable excellence of Barcelona.
The issues before the club now are of a different character. The manager has experienced the rigours of taking on opposing clubs with greater means available. If José Mourinho was not quite vanquished, Chelsea were denied total command. Now the task is more awkward for United. He would not have expected the rout that Manchester City inflicted at Old Trafford but this is no longer a matter of dealing with noisy neighbours.
There may be a roar of challenge coming from London. Roman Abramovich has begun to fund the renewal of Chelsea. Didier Drogba, despite being devastating against Valencia, is far from a striker with his best times to come but it may have been more than the wish for a new contract that impelled him. Those bemused by the difficulties encountered by André Villas-Boas may now see his real value.
In defeating Valencia Chelsea gave a well-rounded performance. There was meticulous order, with the La Liga club kept so effectively at bay that the amount of possession they enjoyed was an irrelevance. The side looked as if they knew exactly what to do and, with selective attacking, won by a comfortable margin. It is glib to compare Villas-Boas to Mourinho purely because they both caught the eye of world football with their feats at a Portuguese club.
Meanwhile Roberto Mancini, with his switch to an expansive approach, has ensured that City face sides who, no matter what they claim, are frightened of what Sergio Agüero, David Silva and the rest will do to them. Regardless of Champions League disappointment for City they and Chelsea are still bent on domination. Ferguson, for his part, is sure to be galvanised by the desire to outlast them. He is not set to leave the battle to anyone else.
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