Turn of the Switch

The double’s still on after another schizophrenic performance on the road against a third tier Southampton side.

And you wonder why neutral observers are not impressed by United’s unbeaten run?

Away matches paint a poor picture of the Red Devils’ quality. Sure, United own several excellent, young players out on loan with other clubs. I get that.

But just how bad the team plays in stretches must concern us. How poor was the first 45 minutes yet again?

Here’s your first-half summary…

Aimless balls cut out. Errant passes out of play. Free kicks given away. Zero pressure on the ball. Awful and bloody shocking.

This is a decent Southampton side but they’re not Barcelona boys. What in God’s green earth are you dropping back yards off the ball? Why is Michael Owen coming back behind the midfield line to retrieve the ball?

The better side led 1-0 at halftime through a Chaplow laser from close range in the 45th minute, as Lindegaard had little chance.

Forget the hair dryer, Sir Alex needs a flamethrower at half.

Bring on your full-on full back, Wes Brown, at half for Fabio to shore up the wide defense, as United play with some improved pace and possession, yet give the ball away too cheaply too often.

Nani and Giggs come on in the 58th minute for the mutually poor Anderson and Gibson, as Fergie had no choice whatsoever but to employ all his substitutions before the 60th minute.

Let me digress about Gibson for a moment.

Love the lad’s runs forward with his lethal right boot. But he isn’t sharp enough for someone with such limited range. It’s as simple as that.

He’s a decent option for United in a five-man midfield but looks more and more like his career lies elsewhere, as he’s nothing but a fringe player who’s becoming too old for the role with Tom Cleverly developing nicely elsewhere.

Enter Giggs and Nani, who bring on a much-needed attacking verve, with everyone, especially Obertan, Owen, and Scholes, all picking up their play noticeably.

Ultimately, United’s true character shows through against a Southampton side that played better than the Red Devils for nearly two-thirds of the match, but Fergie’s men believe: it’s ours to win. It’s as simple as that after years of experience pulling off this kind of result.

And, once again, Giggs would play a key role in the reversal of fortunes, as play improves.

First, we find Obertan’s hard cross is deflected, bounces up kindly to Michael Owen’s welcoming head, and is instinctively directed it toward the far post. It’s 1-1 in the 65th minute.

Game on. Momentum fully switches sides.

Later, against more United pressure, a silly Southampton turnover falls straight to Giggs about 35 yards from goal.

He immediately picks out Chicharito splitting the center halves, as Fonte falls, and the little pea reaches back behind to poke the ball under the keeper as it slowly rolls it’s way just inside the far post.

2-1 United. Game. Set. Match.

The glass here is really half full or half empty, depending upon your perspective, as the fight backs, while impressive, also raise questions about the squad’s nature and quality.

The uneven performances could play to Sir Alex’s favor, as the squad cannot become complacent or over-confident after these performances.

Both individual and collective improvement’s required for United to pursue the double and Champions League glory.

With one flick of the switch, the comeback kings move on to the FA Cup’s 5th round. Job done. Character affirmed. And questions remain.

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Back at you after the Villa match. Cheers.