Match Reaction vs Sunderland (away)

[Marc Overmars]

When you look at 4th place now, we are as a club dependent on getting at least a point against man city as well as winning our other two games, or dependent on United dropping points.

To be in that position now, shows the extent of Wengers mismanagement.

I can't believe we are here again - limping over the line into 4th.

It really tells you everything you need to know about the lack of drive from within.

[Letters]

That's a slightly weird way of looking at it but I have to say I didn't expect us to be scrabbling around trying to hold on to top 4 at this stage. But we will limp over the line IMO, Utd won't win every game.

[rodders]

Unfortunately I foresee a long period in the wilderness, as we fall further behind clubs with real ambition. Kroenke is as much of a problem as Wenger.

[Bumble]

The problem is Kroenke or the board have looked at what has happened to United since Ferguson left and thought better not rock the boat as they have spent massively and are still just behind us in the league. Also Newcastle spent relatively large sums over the summer and January transfer window and they are fighting relegation.

I think had United transitioned well between managers there would be more yearning to change at Arsenal. But its probably a case of better the devil you know.

Doesn't help us though.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

The problem is Kroenke or the board have looked at what has happened to United since Ferguson left and thought better not rock the boat as they have spent massively and are still just behind us in the league. Also Newcastle spent relatively large sums over the summer and January transfer window and they are fighting relegation.

I think had United transitioned well between managers there would be more yearning to change at Arsenal. But its probably a case of better the devil you know.

Doesn't help us though.

I don't think Kroenke knows or cares about the situation at Manchester United, this is a completely football illiterate board and ownership.

[Letters]

The problem is Kroenke or the board have looked at what has happened to United since Ferguson left and thought better not rock the boat as they have spent massively and are still just behind us in the league. Also Newcastle spent relatively large sums over the summer and January transfer window and they are fighting relegation.

I think had United transitioned well between managers there would be more yearning to change at Arsenal. But its probably a case of better the devil you know.

Doesn't help us though.

I think that is partly why I've been in the "Wenger in" camp for so long. He's a safe pair of hands, we've always finished in the top 4 - he's hardly taken us into mid-table or worse, as many predicted he would - and in the last couple of years he's won us a trophy in each. He earned the right to have another crack at the title IMO. But this year I've snapped because if he can't win it with this squad given the way the others are floundering then he never will. But it's not going to be an easy transition which arguably is why he has to go on his own terms, I just hope that's not too long now.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

That's a slightly weird way of looking at it but I have to say I didn't expect us to be scrabbling around trying to hold on to top 4 at this stage. But we will limp over the line IMO, Utd won't win every game.

Is it? The facts speak for themselves under Wenger we either plant the flag on the 3rd/4th place finish or we tumble down into that position. Either way that's where we end up.

It's really bizarre, last season we started dropping points towards the end of the season (one win in five) when second seemed possible. It's definitely not deliberate that would be ridiculous, but it certainly hints at a psychological barrier.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

This season follows the pattern of the 2010/2011 points against a United side who were very beatable despite getting to the Champions League final, we just tumbled and tumbled for ages (2 wins from the final 11 I think).

Five years on, Walcott aside there are hardly any players from that team yet the patterns stay the same.

[Niall_Quinn]

I don't think Kroenke knows or cares about the situation at Manchester United, this is a completely football illiterate board and ownership.

Same here. Doubt he could his find his way to the Emirates without a chauffeur. He sees the financial statements and he passes those on to the bank when he's buying up ranches. I wouldn't think his involvement stretches beyond that. He's a massive fucking anchor dragging us down.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

I think everything you want to know about Enos Stanley Kroenke can be summed up by what he did with the St Louis Rams