Skip to content
Truly Reds

Truly Reds

The Manchester United blog for all Mancunian around the world

  • Home
  • Latest Man United News
  • Match Reports
  • Editor view
  • Chants
  • Contact
  • Advertising
  • About
  • Home
  • How excessive rotation can destroy cohesion
  • Editor view
  • Latest News

How excessive rotation can destroy cohesion

There are times in football when certain opinions are formed without having concrete evidence to support them – except statistics which we all know can often be misleading. One such observation which comes to mind is the possibility that managers, including Sir Alex Ferguson, may have taken the practice of squad rotation a little too far resulting in a lack of team cohesion. Manchester United has certainly shown plenty of consistency in the Premier League, suffering just a single defeat, but there can be little argument that many of those performances have left much to be desired.

There are times in football when certain opinions are formed without having concrete evidence to support them – except statistics which we all know can often be misleading. One such observation which comes to mind is the possibility that managers, including Sir Alex Ferguson, may have taken the practice of squad rotation a little too far resulting in a lack of team cohesion. Manchester United has certainly shown plenty of consistency in the Premier League, suffering just a single defeat, but there can be little argument that many of those performances have left much to be desired.

Leaving aside cup ties where the level of opposition can vary so much, as shown by drawing Liverpool in the FA Cup third round and Crawley in the fifth, Ferguson has used 29 players in 26 League matches so far this season. Now compare that with just 20 in 42 games during the title winning 1992-93 campaign. What’s more telling is that six of those were in fewer than five starting line ups leaving 14 to form the core base of the side.

Nor was that a one off exception. In 42 matches the following season when United retained the title, a total of 23 players were used but significantly, seven only made the starting team once while another two came on as subs. Again, just 14 formed the basis of the team.

There can be no denying that rotating the team is a must in the modern game. Statistics cannot be the only measure because injuries, tactical plans and other factors all come into play. The question is whether Ferguson, like many other managers, has been overusing it.

It’s also worth noting that in their 23 La Liga matches this season, Barcelona only had 12 players who have reached double figures in the starting line up. Does that tell you something?

Do you believe that managers are overusing squad rotation?

Tags: Barcelona Crawley FA Cup Liverpool Manchester United Sir Alex Ferguson United

Continue Reading

Previous: All logic goes out the door in the FA Cup
Next: Why Summerbee has a right to be a bitter Blue

Related Stories

Manchester United players in the Quarter-Finals of the World Cup
  • Latest News

Manchester United players in the Quarter-Finals of the World Cup

Gary Neville Warns Manchester United about Ronaldo Transfer
  • Latest News

Gary Neville Warns Manchester United about Ronaldo Transfer

Champions League Draw Error: Manchester United now face Atletico Madrid
  • Latest News

Champions League Draw Error: Manchester United now face Atletico Madrid

Recent News

  • Manchester United players in the Quarter-Finals of the World Cup
  • Gary Neville Warns Manchester United about Ronaldo Transfer
  • Champions League Draw Error: Manchester United now face Atletico Madrid
  • Five Former Players Manchester United Wish They Had Now
  • Will Manchester United Qualify for Next Year’s Champions League?
  • Rating Manchester United’s Summer Signings
  • Who Will Be Manchester United’s Next Manager?
  • Can Manchester United win the Premier League with Ronaldo?
  • A look back on Cavani’s time at Old Trafford after signing a contract extension
  • The Big Decision For Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this summer
As featured on NewsNow: Manchester United news
Manchester United News 24/7 

Old Man United News

Popular Categories

  • Editor view
  • Featured
  • Features
  • Flashback
  • Latest News
  • Match preview
  • Match Reports

You may have missed

Manchester United players in the Quarter-Finals of the World Cup
  • Latest News

Manchester United players in the Quarter-Finals of the World Cup

Gary Neville Warns Manchester United about Ronaldo Transfer
  • Latest News

Gary Neville Warns Manchester United about Ronaldo Transfer

Champions League Draw Error: Manchester United now face Atletico Madrid
  • Latest News

Champions League Draw Error: Manchester United now face Atletico Madrid

Five Former Players Manchester United Wish They Had Now
  • Editor view
  • Latest News

Five Former Players Manchester United Wish They Had Now

Latest Articles

  • Manchester United players in the Quarter-Finals of the World Cup
  • Gary Neville Warns Manchester United about Ronaldo Transfer
  • Champions League Draw Error: Manchester United now face Atletico Madrid
  • Five Former Players Manchester United Wish They Had Now
  • Will Manchester United Qualify for Next Year’s Champions League?
  • Home
  • Latest Man United News
  • Match Reports
  • Editor view
  • Chants
  • Contact
  • Advertising
  • About
TrulyReds.com - Copyright © All rights reserved. | DarkNews by AF themes.