Celebrating a draw at Olt Trafford like it was a victory is a worrying indication of just how far Manchester United have plummeted under David Moyes this season.
Admittedly a draw against Bayern Munich, the current European champions, is not a catastrophic result, but the champions of England should not celebrate it like they have just conquered Europe.
In what could be the last Champions League fixture for a number of years at the Theatre of Dreams, United had the opportunity to go out in a blaze of glory in front of their home fans.
Instead they cowered on the edge of their box hoping to contain the German champions.
Arjen Robben was extremely critical in the manner in which Moyes set up the United side, comparing them to a handball side, packing bodies around the edge of the box trying to suffocate the space available to the Munich attackers.
Moyes’ tactics worked in stifling Bayern but United were spectators for large portions of the game as their opponents monopolised possession – United’s total of 26% possession is the lowest recorded total in the Champions League this season for a home side – but the lack of attacking intent was obvious.
A home side needs to be more adventurous, particularly when the most vulnerable area of their opposition is their defence.
Set up with Danny Welbeck as a lone striker, Moyes’ plan of attack appeared to look to capitalise on moments of opportunism rather than taking advantage of the weaknesses in the German side.
Defenders of the ‘chosen one’ will point out they could have been two goals ahead at half-time had Welbeck’s early goal not been ruled out for a high challenge.
However United’s progression to the semi-final of Europe’s elite competition is still extremely unlikely.
This result has turned from mission impossible, to mission improbable.
Bayern will remain huge favourites for the second leg and will not have been worried by anything they saw in Manchester.
Even without the suspended Javi Martinez and Bastian Schweinsteiger the Germans should still have enough to hold off anything United may throw at them, who will have to score at the Allianz Arena.
Having experienced a number of embarrassing home performances in recent weeks, including heavy defeats to Manchester City and Liverpool, it is understandable that United fans are looking on this result as a 1-1 victory.
Escaping with their dignity, for once, after a home game against superior opposition, the question has been raised whether United have finally turned a corner.
However United fans have made the same murmurings after every positive result this season.
The club has turned so many corners they should be close to returning to the position they started, but this is so far from true it’s laughable.
Moyes has to realise that as the man in charge of the most successful team in English football, it is not acceptable to be so negative.
His negativity off the pitch is arguably more embarrassing for United and its supporters.
The Scotsman riled supporters with his rallying cry that his side should be considered underdogs prior to the Liverpool defeat.
Then following that ludicrous comment the Moyes drew the ire of the club’s supporters once again, declaring United need to aspire to reach the levels of their noisy neighbors, Manchester City.
The Scotsman appears not to have got the message.
Presented with an opportunity to send out a statement to the rest of European football that the Red Army should still be feared, instead Moyes decided it would be best to show the rest of Europe that it is Manchester United who are living in fear.
Image courtesy of Jason Cainduff, with thanks.
