United played out their fifth draw in nine matches in a goalless match against Birmingham City at St. Andrews. (Reports: BBC, Soccernet, The Insider, ManUtd.com, Guardian.)
I missed the first 30 minutes of the match — I hate those early Saturday kick-offs — and the 60 or so minutes I did see was a little depressing.
By the end of the match, Ferguson had van Nistelrooy, Saha, Smith and Rooney on the field but the problem was United could not dominate the midfield.
Keane kept popping up everywhere but he pretty much had to because his partner, Kleberson, was largely missing in action. The Brazilian ghosted stealthily around the field in a ninja-like fashion without contributing much and I suspect many were shocked when he was taken off the field in the 60th minute because they hadn’t realised he was on it. Ferguson was later forced to play Smith in central midfield and although Smith ran himself ragged, it was painfully clear he was playing out of position.
Van Nistelrooy had the opportunity of the match when he lost his markers in the penalty area and got on the end of a Quinton Fortune cross but his shot from six yards out was saved instinctively by Maik Taylor. The rebound fell Ronaldo’s way but the young winger fluffed his attempt.
United are now 11 points off the pace and they next entertain leaders Arsenal at Old Trafford. Ferguson has conceded it’s a must-win game but even in the unlikely event United do win that match, I harbour little hope of United winning the Premiership this season. Ferguson needs to find a winning formula in central midfield and he’s unlikely to do so until next season at the earliest.
