NICK FEINBERG: MAN UTD ARE NOT UP TO STANDARD​

HELLO my good football people, I trust you’re all doing well. Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable festive period.

It’s lovely having a bit of time off during this part of the year, with plenty of football on TV! I’m actually having a few lads over for the first time this season (on Saturday) to watch a couple of games, chat s**t and reminisce about how we were once all able to run for 90 minutes!

As we close in on the end of 2025, like most of you (I think), nothing seems to be completely clear regarding who is going to end up where on the Premier League standings? And which managers are likely to keep their jobs?

Watching Manchester United on Sunday, I thought they looked alright, however, following the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, Ruben Amorim said: “I think we were the better team today. We were unlucky, even with the injury of Bruno [Fernandes], but during the game even without him, we were the better team.”

Were they? It was an open game, but I thought Villa always looked the more likely to score. The reality is, this United team (and coach) are definitely not United standard. I think we can all agree on that. I support the philosophy of giving time, but it just feels like the United of old is a million miles away from this current set up.

Give this squad to Sir Alex Ferguson in his prime and they’d still be struggling. Give Amorim the United squad of the late 1990s and they’d still be struggling. It’s a tough position. It just feels like a spring clean and new wardrobe is needed! Most United fans I know back Amorim and I respect that and of course he may get it right, but the fortress that was Old Trafford feels a long way away...

It’s amazing that I’m actually feeling the same way about Liverpool! In over five decades, I can’t remember a bigger drop off? No one can identify the reason?

Is it Arne Slot’s rigid tactics? Decline in key player performances? Too many high-value signings? Defensive frailty (especially set-pieces)? I mean there is a long way to go and plenty time to come right, but again, it just feels like the inevitable is being prolonged and that shiny head will see the door ahead of next season.

The coach situation at Stamford Bridge also feels precarious. Are Manchester City really lining Enzo Maresca up to take over from Pep Guardiola? Chelsea’s crazy history of hiring and firing managers has been wildly successful over the last 20 years, but I’m hoping Maresca gets time (at least until the end of the season) and he will.

The Blues are in a decent position in the league and Champions League, but is he the right guy? My worry is born out of the following… Chelsea crucified Barcelona at the Bridge a few weeks ago. This was followed up by an outstanding 10-man performance against Arsenal, but then what? Smacked on a cold

Wednesday night in Leeds, then a horrible 0-0 draw v Bournemouth.

This is the manager’s fault. It’s his job to motivate the players to lift themselves for “smaller” games. Did you ever see United drop performance levels under Ferguson? So who is getting it right at the top end?

I’m hoping and praying that City’s awkward transitional phase is done. They have had consistently good performances over the last few weeks. Are they back?

 Ladies and gents, City are our only hope. Okay, Villa are looking good, but you would imagine a drop off at some stage. And I know for United fans, the “noisy neighbours” winning the league isn’t great, but can you imagine the never-ending noise we’re going have to endure if the “entitled” ones win the league title. Yoh, I dread it.

It’s interesting, Mikel Arteta has changed it up a bit this season. His tactics have been more rigid defensively.

Ironically, in Arsenal’s “must-win” season, it’s gone from beautiful to boring and so far, so good (for them). However, a month ago it felt like they were dead certainties for the titleand now it feels like 50/50 is a better call.

I’m asking all my religious friends of whatever denomination to put in a prayer for City this festive season!  

There is loads of football to look forward to over the next couple of weeks with no obvious “big” fixtures, but then on 4 January it’s City v Chelsea, 8 January Arsenal v Liverpool and 17 January United v City!

My good people, thanks as always for your support and messages. May you all have a wonderful festive season.

Stay safe and have fun. Lots of love, Nick