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United are second in the League, only behind Chelsea due to goal difference. They are unbeaten thus far in the League. These facts mask a certain amount of discontent that has slowly bubbled to the surface amongst fans. Yes, they are second in the League, but Arsenal are just two points behind them and they haven’t had a great start to the season by any means. There is increased competition between the top four but that seems to be more because these teams have either yet to kick into gear or cannot quite recapture what it was that made them so special throughout the last few seasons.

Forgetting off the pitch problems with the Glazers, Rooney and so on, what do Manchester United fans have to be worried about? There are some concerns about a lack of quality in midfield. Hargreaves now seems to be a perma-crock, destined to never make a proper return. There remain question marks over the quality of Anderson and Carrick (who admittedly was excellent against Rangers midweek) is struggling for form this season.

Then there are the strikers. Berbatov set the Premier League alight at the start of the season, but is now fading fast. Rooney’s heart doesn’t seem to be in it.  Hernandez is looking great, but is he really ready to be United’s main striker?

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These problems all combine to create one rather worrying fact – United don’t seem to dominate teams anymore. That’s not to say that United look weak, or there for the taking, but they also don’t look like they’re capable of taking a team apart 5-0 or 6-0. They don’t look like the force they used to be. There is a certain defensive frailty within the side (despite 11 clean sheets in 22 games) that will always worry fans even when the team is in a winning position.

Just to be clear – there are a lot of teams out there who would love to be second in the League and remain unbeaten thus far. Manchester United are in a great position, but even the most adamant fan has to admit it hasn’t been the most scintillating start to the season. One of the positives to take from it all is that despite the performances not really clicking, United’s spirit and resolve has never seem stronger. Perhaps this is because the drama with the Glazer’s and the Rooney saga has left United with a siege mentality. They are fighting back strong and keep fighting until the end of the game.

There are worries, but as long as the belief and ‘never say die’ attitude remains, United can look forward to a prosperous season.

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Over the years there have been some ridiculous misses in the world of football, where the phrase “it was easier to score than miss” really does ring true. You can’t help but laugh when a footballer who’s paid thousands of pounds every week, and is picked in fantasy football teams up and down the country, blazes over from a yard out. Instead of having to trawl through football videos to find the best misses, we’ve compiled arguably ten of the finest. So sit back, relax, and watch the top 10 misses of all-time!

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Liverpool have agreed to offload winger Ryan Babel to German side Hoffenheim, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday.It has taken just over a week for new Reds manager Kenny Dalglish to begin re-modelling his squad after succeeding Roy Hodgson, with Liverpool announcing they had agreed to terms with the Bundesliga side for Babel’s services, with reports suggesting a transfer fee of seven million pounds.

The Dutch international is still to agree to terms with Hoffenheim, but underwent a medical on Tuesday ahead of his anticipated Anfield exit.

A statement on the club’s official website read: “Liverpool FC this afternoon announced they had accepted a bid from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim for the transfer of Dutch international Ryan Babel.”

“The Bundesliga club have now been given permission to discuss personal terms with the player, who has travelled to Germany.”

Babel had failed to make an impact on Merseyside since former manager Rafa Benitez paid 11.5 million pounds to Ajax for his services in 2007.

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He made 91 Premier League appearances in his three and a half years with Liverpool, but only 31 of those were starts.

Article courtesy of Rob Morris from the NEW ‘Clean Sheets All Round’

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6. Bebe: Age 20; Recommended to Sir Alex by former United coach Carlos Queiroz, the Portuguese winger signed for The Reds in the summer of last year for £7.4m.

Already a goal in the Champions League to his name, Bebe boasts electric pace, good positioning and strength which could see him emulate fellow countryman, Luis Nani. Don’t expect the next Cristiano Ronaldo, though.

5. Tom Cleverley: Age 21; Clever by name, clever by nature. Ok, that was cheesy but this lad is the real deal.

After a successful spell on loan at Watford last season, the midfielder has joined Wigan to prove he can mix it with the Premier League’s big boys.

A box of tricks up his sleeve and an established England U-21 international, expect ‘Clevers’ to be knocking on the first-team door next season.

4. Danny Welbeck: Age 20; Local boy Welbeck has already tasted the big time by playing an integral part in United winning the League Cup back in 2008/09.

A little rough around the edges, Fergie has sent him out on loan to Sunderland and it has paid dividends. He took a little while to find his feet at first but performances against Chelsea and Everton have proved he’s months, not years, away from a place in the Red Devils starting XI.

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3. Javier Hernandez: Age 22; Who doesn’t have a soft spot for Chicharito? He’s young, he’s pacey and most of all, he just loves playing football.

It’s hard to believe it’s the young Mexican’s first season in the Premier League. The striker has certainly played his part in United’s unbeaten run so far, especially with the off the pitch antics surrounding Wayne Rooney.

Two key goals against Stoke City tell you all you need to know about this potential world-beater.

2. Ravel Morrison: Age 17; Talk of this lad has been the stuff of myths rather than legends at Old Trafford but comparisons with a certain Ryan Giggs will only add fuel to the fire.

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Fiery pace, step-overs and a great delivery, Morrison is everything you could want from a winger. Despite his rumoured attitude problem, expect the watchful eye of Alex Ferguson to reign down upon him and put him in his place.

1. Jack Barmby: Age 16; The token wildcard in the list, young Jack’s father is the former Everton and Liverpool midfielder Nick Barmby – who made 23 caps for England.

The Red Devils wrestled Hull City for the youngster last year and he has already netted 2 goals in his 4 U-16 England caps.

Currently working hard in United’s U-18s, the tricky midfielder will look to benefit from the guidance of Cleverley and Bebe in the next few years.

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As the Arsenal substitutes spilled onto the Highbury pitch to celebrate the home side’s win over Leicester City on the last day of the 2003-04 season, Arsene Wenger’s name was indelibly written into English football history.

Not only had the Frenchman turned the Premier League from a one sided procession into a legitimate contest year after year, but he had created a genuinely excellent side, one that had, in the face of Roman Abramovic’s millions and Manchester United’s indomitable aura, gone through a top flight season unbeaten.

Yet, just over six years on, much of the shine upon Wenger’s achievements has begun to wear off, and this week he has begun to face up to the reality that his once in a lifetime feat might just be matched.

The Gunners have themselves struggled since the famous 2003-04 season- a policy of using inexperienced youth players to replace the ever-diminishing band of ‘Invincibles’ has resulted in the red half of North London going without domestic or European honours for nearly six seasons. During that time they have fallen some way behind London rivals Chelsea as United’s main opposition and have at times looked out of their depth.

Whether it is the years of Premier League football that have taken their toll but Wenger now wears the expression of a tired man. There used to be a time when Wenger was cool. He was the laid back continental tactician to Ferguson’s successful but bullish, grumpy Scotsman, the neutral identified with Wenger and quietly, there was an undercurrent of support for what he had created. In some quarters, that good feeling, it seems has given way to indignation.

He regularly involves himself in silly disputes with officials and fellow managers, and whilst his sides have failed to perform over recent years, he has defended each one stoutly, even though it has resulted in column inches of scorn and derision.

Wenger’s biggest regret may well be an inability to win Europe’s top prize, an area where the Frenchman has never appeared comfortable. In truth, the Gunners have only really come close on two occasions. One, the 2006 Champions League final where Jens Lehmann’s red card fifteen minutes into the contest proved pivotal as Barcelona came from behind to win 2-1.

Wenger’s followers will point to a remarkable understanding of the transfer market, the inferior level of spending has not stopped these young Arsenal sides from qualifying for the Champions League each year and having moments in cup competitions both at home and abroad. A sublime achievement in an era of limitless funds elsewhere in the division, or is he selling the club short?

There has always been a reluctance to sign big money players, stubbornly avoiding any player that cannot be considered a bargain by wider observers. Undoubtedly, he has been stung by previous big priced failures, the error in paying relatively large sums for Jose Antonio Reyes and Francis Jeffers, only to be badly let down by both.

He has groomed and produced some exceptionally talented footballers, yet appears happier to talk about promise and potential than concrete achievements, and indeed does not give his troops the support they deserve.

It is almost as if Wenger is trying to match Ferguson’s youth dynasty from the 1990’s- establishing his name at the top of the managerial tree. But what if Ferguson matches his record first?

In recent seasons, particularly since the departure of Thierry Henry and Ljungberg in 2007, it is almost as if the club has become Wenger’s personal toy. He is allowed to continue to pursue his self-indulgent transfer policy, not appreciating perhaps that the football world has moved on from the days where Patrick Vieira, Freddie Ljungberg and Robert Pires could all be acquired for under 12 million pounds.

I wrote last season whilst Arsenal remained in the title race until the closing weeks of the campaign, and considering their run in, should have pushed Chelsea much harder, that should they actually win the Premier League it would be the worst possible thing for the long-term health of the club. My argument was that Wenger should not be allowed to continue with his policy of relying exclusively on unproven youngsters when the finances exist to bring in experienced reinforcements to help push the Gunners that extra mile to silverware.

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Yes, there were concerns about funding the move across North London to the Emirates, and with the UEFA financial guidelines getting a firmer hold on irresponsible spending in football, Wenger’s policy is sometimes heralded as something all English sides should aspire to.

Fans of Chelsea, Manchester United or Liverpool would not tolerate a manager doing similar with their club for such long periods of time, yet because of his exceptional achievement in 2004 Arsenal supporters find themselves putting up with an increasing level of on pitch mediocrity.

For Wenger, it is difficult to predict how another trophy-free season would go down at the Emirates. Despite the 1-0 defeat in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final against Ipswich, the club remain firm favourites to take domestic glory there. The bigger concern for Arsenal’s manager is that should United match his ‘unique’ achievement and see out the campaign unbeaten, uncomfortable questions may begin to be asked about the last of the invincibles.

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In the midst of one of the most dramatic weekends in Premier League history one story slipped almost undetected amongst the excitement over Arsenal’s 4-4 draw with Newcastle and Manchester United losing at Wolves; namely the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo at West Bromwich Albion.

West Brom, having been as high as fourth during October, were never in the hunt for the points at the City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday, and on the highest scoring weekend of Premier League action since the division dropped to 20 teams, the Baggies were one of only three teams not to convert. This defeat, hot on the heels of dropped points at home to relegation rivals Wigan, left the newly promoted outfit out of the relegation zone only on goal difference.

Even so, the announcement of Di Matteo’s departure came as a shock. There is no doubt that 13 defeats in the last 18 games represents an horrendous run of form and with other sides, a manager may well expect to face the chop, but are the West Brom board sending out the wrong message by getting rid of the Italian?

There is precedent for the Midlands club behaving in similar fashion. Think back to the 2004-05 season when they sacked then local hero Gary Megson as early as November and brought in former Middlesbrough boss, Bryan Robson. Whilst a controversial move, the change proved a spur for the Baggies to escape relegation, becoming the first side in the Premier League era to survive having been bottom at Christmas.

Di Matteo will argue that Albion’s current points total would be on track with any pre-season target and that sacking him represents a panic statement – if the players weren’t thinking about a relegation dog fight before, they certainly will be now.

During the club’s last stay in the top flight, there was a year round battle to stave off relegation, the fight ultimately in failure, yet manager Tony Mowbray was never handed his P45.

So has Di Matteo merely been a victim of his own success? The early season performances away to Manchester United and Arsenal flattered to deceive, and in recent weeks defeats to Blackburn, Bolton and Fulham have quickly transformed Di Matteo’s men from being comfortably lodged in mid-table, to being part of a seven-way shoot out to avoid the drop.

The League Managers Association make constant pronouncements about the treatment of mangers across all divisions of English football, but with the prize for remaining in the country’s top flight sitting at over 100 million pounds, management is always going to be susceptible to the chop.

Much is made of the concept of ‘Second Season Syndrome’ where newly promoted sides thrive during their first campaign in the top flight, but struggle second time around. In recent years this process has sped up, sides such as Hull City, Burnley and now West Brom have started brilliantly only to find their points tally during the second half of the season has suffered as sides work out their system of play. There has been no sign that the Baggies’ likable manager has the tools to alter the way his side has played.

So, should the West Brom board actually be commended by the fans for their approach? Over recent seasons, the Baggies have become the yo-yo side of English football – clearly too good for the Championship, but have struggled to make the grade in the top division. With a core of talented players comprising a squad that has the makings of regular Premier League football, clearly this move suggests the board will not accept this role going forward, and will presumably look to recruit an experienced Premier League hand to help establish the club.

A long-term model may well look similar to the one employed by Dave Whelan, the Wigan chairman. Whelan, whilst unfailingly loyal to the club’s management in the face of high profile candidates, has shown himself to be ruthless in seasons where the Latics’ Premier League status has been under threat. As a result, Wigan are currently enjoying their sixth straight season eating at the top table of English football. If Di Matteo’s replacement is able to supply a comparable level of stability, the board will feel they have been vindicated in making the right choice.

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Does anyone actually know where Bryan Robson is? Answers to “Gaffer” and “Robbo”. Potential reward for his safe return if you locate him and find me on Twitter.

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Despite the fact their romance with the FA Cup came to an end at Manchester United, Crawley Town were still able to walk away from Old Trafford as the true winners. The club had earned a place in the heart of the country’s football fans, a big pay-out which is always nice for a non-league club and the players themselves were able to take away some prized possessions – like Wayne Rooney’s shirt, which now belongs to David Hunt. But there would have been one person concerned by Saturday’s proceedings. The game identified a huge flaw in Manchester United’s big to win trophies on three fronts as Sir Alex Ferguson witnessed his second-string struggle to victory.

We have to consider that for many of United’s stars, it wasn’t anywhere near as big a game as it was for the visiting side. But even so, it’s not an excuse for the poor showing. Worryingly for the manager, it isn’t the first time this season that his squad members have failed to impress though. It’s been well documented that throughout this campaign United are top without playing near to their potential. But if United are to wrestle the title back from Stamford Bridge, Fergie will need to use his squad in the coming weeks, which doesn’t fill me with the greatest of confidence.

United have a run in which features Chelsea twice, Liverpool and Arsenal away as well as FA Cup and Champions League commitments. But can Fergie really trust some of his squad players to step in with such important games fast approaching? Park is injured, Antonio Valencia is still nowhere near fully fit and they cannot expect the evergreen Ryan Giggs to continue to play as much as he has been doing. So who’s going to step in? Gabriel Obertan? I’m sure I’m not the only one who would shudder at the thought of the Frenchman walking out at Anfield ready to do battle. Mind you, I suppose United could always call on Bebe; another player who stood out at the weekend…

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The 69-year-old boss has another problem at full-back. Gary Neville has retired, and the Brazilian twins, Rafael and Fabio, seem to struggle to last 90 minutes without getting injured or sent off. That leaves Fergie with the likes of John O’Shea and Wes Brown to step in. Both did a job at the weekend, but it is easy to see that they are much better players at centre-back. Again, I wouldn’t be encouraged to see O’Shea over-lapping down the line at the Emirates to fizz a ball into the box, and that’s a big part of the way United counter-attack, especially away from home.

Looking at it, United aren’t in a bad position at all. Top of league, huge favourites to progress through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League and a home-tie in the sixth round of the FA Cup. But with all that comes a congested fixture list and players suffering from little knocks and niggles. Never before has the saying ‘football is a team game’ been more appropriate. But to succeed you need to have the best and more of the best ready to step in. Questions have to be asked whether Fergie’s second string have enough to cope with the demands of playing for a club challenging on three fronts.

Given their run-in, winning the Premier League yet again would arguably be the best of the lot. Time will only tell whether they have enough, but if the victory over plucky Crawley taught us anything, it’s that Ferguson’s biggest stumbling block in winning trophies this season could be his own lack of real strength in depth.

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Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter @joino

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I have long been of the belief that the success or failure of a coach at international level is dependent on fortune. Would Sven-Goran Eriksson have been so derided by the press and general public had his England side won either of the two penalty shoot-outs against Portugal in 2004 or 2006? Would Terry Venables be so acclaimed had Spain been accredited with either of the legitimate ‘offside’ goals during their Euro 1996 quarter-final?

The FA’s process for deciding on the most prestigious job in English football appears to engage in a bizarre game of trial and error. After employing Eriksson for six years, it was decided that the Swede lacked passion and tactical flexibility, and that putting the ship in the hands of Steve McClaren, an Englishman with some limited domestic success, would be the best option.

For all the reasons that McClaren was appointed to the top job in 2006, Redknapp looks set match the same criteria in 2012. There is no doubt that Fabio Capello’s tenure as England coach has been underwhelming at best, and the desire for a top English replacement is understandable. But is the answer really a man with one piece of major silverware to his name across 35 years in management and no prior experience of international football?

If McClaren had a squeaky clean, annoyingly uncharismatic public image, Redknapp’s rough and ready reputation is not one that would normally be associated with such an important position. However, since the FA nailed their patriotic colours to the mast, the current Tottenham boss is odds on favourite to be leading England into World Cup qualifiers in the autumn of 2012.

On a superficial level, the appointment makes a reasonable amount of sense. From a man management point of view, Redknapp is as likely to succeed as any other candidate. Whilst he has been known to alienate players he does not have an instant rapport with, there will considerable respect from many of the squad’s established leading lights and the general public will respond well to his everyman charm. In recent seasons he has dropped the prickly persona that made him sometimes unpopular during his tenure in charge at Upton Park – all positive thus far.

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However, the nation demands an x-factor from their managers, and if Redknapp fails to make an instant impression his lack of top level experience will be hammered in the press. Both Fabio Capello and Eriksson were granted a great deal of goodwill as a result of their achievements at club level – the former Bournemouth coach does not have that to fall back on.

The silverware won as a manager need not be a defining factor in his appointment, yet his cabinet is particularly bare. Admittedly his chances to win any substantial glory have been limited but he has rarely done enough to deserve a top level appointment. His achievements with Portsmouth came at the cost of the club’s financial future, the FA Cup triumph the ultimate false dawn.

Gaining his current post as Tottenham head coach was only a possibility once Juande Ramos had dragged the club deep into the relegation zone, and again everyone’s favourite cockney was afforded funds that did not match the club’s level of prior achievement – a pre-requisite for Redknapp to gain any tangible success.

Even now, Redknapp is unable to do anything but play the underdog card. The current Spurs squad is arguably the deepest in the division, yet the man who has spent phenomenal amounts of money on his Champions League dream insists that his team need a miracle just to qualify for Europe’s premier club competition next term.

This underplaying of his club’s hopes is standard Redknapp, but with so much expected of the national team, could the former Portsmouth manager realistically say when England lose in the quarter-finals at the 2014 World Cup that he’s done “Not bad, considering we made the last 16 last time.” Probably not.

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Redknapp himself knows the fickle nature of the football world. His elevation from an unspectacular manager at domestic level to red hot favourite for the England manager’s post has been dramatic, and has undoubtedly fed off the back of the comparative failure of current incumbent, Capello. Were Tottenham to actually meet their manager’s doomsday prediction and miss out on Champions League qualification, questions may be asked again about the suitability of Redknapp to lead his country, however accidents aside he looks set for the England dugout.

Redknapp has said periodically that his managerial career is drawing to a close. In 2005, he went so far as to earmark his one campaign with Southampton as being his last, only when the club were relegated did he change his mind. It would be remarkable to think that seven years on from an earmarked retirement date, that Redknapp could be looking at embarking on a first job in international management. This is the starkest picture of the decision the FA are about to make.

Think Steve McClaren should be given another pop as England coach? Reckon Nigel Clough has done enough to throw his hat into the ring? Let me know on Twitter. Happy to change my opinion on Harry if he can get me a portion of David Beckham’s pie and mash.

You have probably woken up this morning to a torrent of Manchester United fans raving about their U18 starlet, Ravel Morrison.

Dubbed ‘the new Ashley Young’, Morrison may promise to have a bright future and he hit headlines recently with a fantastic double to book United’s youth team a place in the FA Youth Cup semi-finals in a 3-2 win over Liverpool.

However, Morrison’s off the pitch exploits had previously surrounded him in controversy after he narrowly avoided a prison sentence in 2009 following an alleged mugging incident. He was promised that he would certainly face jail time if he was to appear in court again any time in the near future.

The youngster has made one appearance for the first team as a substitute for Park Ji-Sung in a League Cup tie against Wolves and should he keep up his good form, you may be seeing him strutting his stuff around Old Trafford once again in the near future.

So what are you waiting for? Check out Ravel’s best bits in the video below.

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LDU Quito’s up-and-down Copa Libertadores campaign took a turn for the better, while Estudiantes had their own big win on Thursday.Ecuadorian side LDU Quito strengthened their spot at the top of the Group 8 table after trouncing Uruguayan outfit Penarol 5-0 at home, in a game that lacked for nothing.The 2008 Copa winners – who have now won two and lost two in their group games – took at 22nd-minute lead through Carlos Luna, though the Argentine striker had to be substituted through injury two minutes after breaking the deadlock.It mattered little for the 29-year-old’s side, however, with replacement Walter Calderon doubling LDU Quito’s advantage in first-half extra time.On-loan Reggina defender Carlos Valdez then put through his own net to compound Penarol’s woes, with a Hernan Barcos penalty and another strike from veteran striker Calderon making the scoreline complete.The only negative for LDU was the straight red card handed to substitute midfielder Fernando Hidalgo, but it did little to stop his team-mates running out comprehensive winners.Penarol sink to third on the table due to a poor goal difference, though they are level with both LDU Quito and Argentine club Godoy Cruz on six points.Not to be outdone, Estudiantes put five goals of their own past Paraguayans Guarani to move to second on the Group 7 table.The Argentinians had a hat-trick from much-travelled Uruguayan frontman Hernan Lopez as the highlight, with strike partner Leandro Gonzalez weighing in with a brace.Boca Juniors loanee Facundo Roncaglia was sent off for the winners, while Julian Benitez scored a consolation goal for the away side to ensure the match finished 5-1.Colombian club Junior sealed their progression from the group stage courtesy of a come-from-behind 2-1 win at home over Bolivian outfit Oriente Petrolero, making it four wins from as many games in Group 2.Oriente are pointless and appear doomed, with Gremio’s 1-1 draw at Peruvian club Leon de Huanuco helping the Brazilian club more than their opponents in Thursday’s other group game.