Rooney might just have won the title for them this year, but it's an exception. In the previous 3 seasons, Ronaldo, Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra made equal or greater contributions.
Was just thinking about that fella last night after watching the 92-93 season review.
Have no images like, saw him coming out of Wembley and getting into a car with a couple of youngish lasses after the Charity Shield defeat in 96. My dad always joked that it was KK's grandad, which I believed for a few years.
When you set further up the pitch you are leaving yourself open to a counter attack. So you need players who can run back to defend if you lose possession. Does that make sense?
It also gives your midfield less pace to operate in and makes it easier for the opposition to press. As a rule of thumb its the team with less skill that wants to compress play, thats why so many visiting teams play five 451 when they go to Old Trafford.
I'm not talking about chasing down every man, i'm talking about setting up higher instead camping deep and inviting pressure whilst completely isolating the attacking players to the extent to which they just repeatedly lose the ball.
When you set further up the pitch you are leaving yourself open to a counter attack. So you need players who can run back to defend if you lose possession. Does that make sense?
No, the same players manage it at home. There's no reason we can't defend from the front on our travels.