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Tight marking and cagey tactics prompted an erratic, if still intriguing, stalemate between Liverpool and Manchester United

Watching this game and analysing it retrospectively, it would have been easy to assume that Sir Alex Ferguson and Kenny Dalglish had locked heads pre‑match and settled for a cautious first period. Their selections mirrored each other’s, with two Spanish goalkeepers, young English right-backs, Dirk Kuyt and Park workaholics on one flank, Stewart Downing and Ashley Young creators keeping the greater width, and Darren Fletcher and Lucas sitting in the middle.

Throw in a pair of lone front men, Luis Suárez and Danny Welbeck, and the shapes and systems collided. That was always likely to starve the occasion of spectacle and, while Liverpool settled the quicker, they were denied any real thrust in the final third. Phil Jones’s shadowing of the clever Charlie Adam in midfield and Chris Smalling’s tight attention to Downing, with Park Ji-sung doing likewise for José Enrique’s forward runs, nullified threats. Liverpool were denied any real sustained possession but the speed, sense of occasion and tight challenging prompted erratic passing from both sides.

Welbeck, more mobile and nimble than traditional English centre-forwards such as Andy Carroll and Peter Crouch, Bobby Zamora or Emile Heskey, had little support. In fact, Jones often found himself as the furthest forward of the visitors’ midfielders while tracking Adam. With Wayne Rooney starting on the bench, this was a huge challenge for the fast-improving United youngster. While Suárez is happiest receiving the ball in tight situations with his back to goal, engaging in jiggery-pokery to deceive his marker, Welbeck wants to turn and face defenders, tapping into his fine balance and speed. But, with only one front man to occupy them, the opposition centre-backs could get extra tight and, if possible, one could nick the ball in front of the attacker while his colleague covered comfortably behind.

At Anfield, Welbeck made some decent runs “in to out” to receive in advanced positions (see diagram) and was fed the ball regularly, usually by Smalling. But Skrtel was able to breathe down his neck while tracking the darts, with Jamie Carragher covering safely at his back. The United full-back played a couple of passes to coincide with the striker’s run, but the strong Skrtel’s close attentions won the ball.

United might have moved the ball the other way in that situation. If a mobile striker, like Welbeck, runs a centre-back out wide, the space that opens up and which may then be available is on the inside. It is there to exploit, particularly if the midfield has options. That is precisely what United had on Saturday, with Jones’s man-marking duties stifling Adam but Park, Fletcher and Ryan Giggs also playing in that midfield third. In the diagram, Fletcher would have been free to receive from Smalling and shift the ball, via his team-mates, towards Young on the opposition flank. That tactic might have made more inroads into Liverpool’s rearguard.

As it was, there was more urgency and thrust after the interval from both teams and, when Ferguson made his changes after Steven Gerrard’s free-kick opener, United opened up and discarded their caution. In truth, the game as a spectacle disappointed, as might have been expected. But the armchair supporters around the world would still have been intrigued, and enjoyed the brand on view.

Premier League 2011-12LiverpoolManchester UnitedDavid Pleatguardian.co.uk

Chelsea have also been strengthened by an injection of youth while Sergio Agüero’s creativity will be vital if Manchester City are to offer a title challenge

Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson has the gift of moving on ageing players at the right time, and replacing seamlessly. Gary Neville and Paul Scholes have said their goodbyes, and one wonders how long Ryan Giggs can defy the years. They are wonderfully efficient at Old Trafford, with wide players stretching defenders and providing problems which opponents cannot counter. Nani’s trickery, Antonio Valencia’s speed, Giggs’s skill, Park Ji-sung’s industry and now Ashley Young – it is a quintet that Ferguson can rotate at his leisure. In a 4-4-2 he will need Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher to be at their best, while Anderson has the craft to reduce the impact of Scholes’s loss. He will only get better, as will young Tom Cleverley. Phil Jones joins a formidable quartet of centre-backs, but much attention will focus on the new goalkeeper, David de Gea. If he can show the same confidence as the Mexican forward Javier Hernández did in his first year, we shall see United hang on to the silverware with their ambitious 4-4-2.

Chelsea

The squad looks stronger following the emergence of last season’s loanees Daniel Sturridge, Ryan Bertrand and Gaël Kakuta, plus the lovely skill of Josh McEachran. With Michael Essien injured, Mikel John Obi may get further opportunities to guard the defence, with the midfield group in a 4-3-3 system supplemented by a creator (McEachran or Florent Malouda) and the evergreen Frank Lampard – a holder, a creator and a scorer. The young manager will win plaudits if Fernando Torres regains his scoring touch. It seems a perfect time to cash in on Didier Drogba, who would still fetch a good price for his age, but Roman Abramovich may not have this concern and the Ivorian still looks hungry. With Nicolas Anelka’s sharp movements and Sturridge’s recent success, one striker may have to go, perhaps in January.

Manchester City

The light blue purse opens ever wider, but money does not automatically buy success. Will they gel? David Silva’s silky skills and brilliant, disguised reverse passing will set up chances for Sergio Agüero, and Adam Johnson, too, will create (and deserves to start). The key question is whether Roberto Mancini will become less conservative, and give up one of his holding midfielders, more likely Gareth Barry than Nigel de Jong. It is also likely 4-2-1-3 will be Mancini’s cautious starting system. There are question marks over the attack – the energetic Carlos Tevez, should he leave, will be difficult to replace, while the excitable Mario Balotelli and the pedestrian Edin Dzeko both look replaceable. Creativity will be key if they are to progress, with a great burden to be carried by Agüero.

Arsenal

“In Arsène we trust” is the Emirates banner which reminds doubters of the cultured Frenchman’s achievements. But in playing the beautiful game they have been fairly criticised for taking their eye off the ball. Penetration is necessary, whatever the style. Wojciech Szczesny looks fine in goal but, as a group, defending was poor last season and spaces developed between defenders. There is an absence of communication and leadership which puts a great strain on the more defensive midfielders. Despite Thomas Vermaelen’s return from injury Wenger must acquire a centre-back. Gervinho will bring touches of class to the attack but he can be erratic – 4-1-4-1 will remain Arsène’s fancy, until he brings in a truly top-class front man to help and combine with Robin van Persie.

Tottenham Hotspur

Harry Redknapp will have a squad strong in depth after a tough summer with little movement – he has been unable to find satisfactory new pastures for those he wishes to replace but has also resisted efforts to remove his “invaluables”. Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon, Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart will continue to excite fans in the Tottenham tradition, but they need to get a more consistent selection from the “alternatives” up front. A 4-4-1-1 looks likely, with Van der Vaart stealthily finding space to score – which last season was often created by Peter Crouch’s headwork. An elusive predator, a real leader of the line to evoke memories of Bobby Smith, tops the shopping list. They will need to trim the squad, but unquestionably they can challenge again for a Champions League spot.

Liverpool

With Kenny Dalglish at the helm expectation levels have risen, and without early success this could become a burden. They have certainly acquired the personnel to attack effectively, with Andy Carroll and Luis Suárez possessing differing but balancing characteristics. But how can they now accommodate the indefatigable Dirk Kuyt? Stewart Downing looks a certain starter, most likely as one of a top three, while in midfield they will have Charlie Adam prompting, though the Scot is sufficiently poor in recovery that he will require the assistance of two workers alongside – Lucas Leiva and, ideally, a fit Steven Gerrard. Jordan Henderson may have to be patient. The glass looks half-full if the creative signings blossom in Dalglish’s 4-3-3 formation.

Premier League 2011-12Manchester UnitedChelseaManchester CityArsenalTottenham HotspurLiverpoolDavid Pleatguardian.co.uk

Manchester United’s winning mentality can carry them to a 19th league title and finally knock Liverpool from their perch

It was September 2002 when Sir Alex Ferguson delivered what is probably – behind that epic night in Barcelona when “football, bloody hell” became a part of our football lives – the most instantly recognisable quote of his time as Manchester United’s manager.

His team were going through one of those spells when it felt as though the roof at Old Trafford could tumble in. They had finished the previous season 10 points behind Arsenal and barely a month into the new campaign they were six points down on Arsène Wenger’s side. Alan Hansen, the man who once said you don’t win anything with kids, had described Ferguson’s position as “the greatest challenge of his career”.

The response was delivered like a cobra strike, quick and brutal. “My greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their fucking perch,” Ferguson said. “And you can print that.”

Liverpool’s last league title was in 1990, and Ferguson did not win the first of his 11 championships until three years later. In between, Arsenal and Leeds United both won the league. Yet everyone knows what Ferguson was talking about and, for Liverpool, the bare facts are that it could conceivably get worse before it gets better.

Forget, for one moment, all that stuff about United not playing well. The simple fact is that apart from one night, in November in the Carling Cup at West Ham, they have not lost a single match. Everything seems to be falling into shape and unless something can happen to stop their current trajectory it is difficult to see