Problems continued for Manchester United today as they traveled to Greece for the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 match-up against Olympiakos. The English side fell 2-0 to the Greek giants in what was expected to be a guaranteed win with both Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney returning to the lineup together. The Red Devils have seldom lost when the pair have started together, however that trend did not continue today. Today's loss was Manchester United's first loss of the 2013-2014 Champions League campaign.
Despite their attacking efforts, United were plagued by defensive errors. Chris Smalling and Rio Ferdinand made several defensive errors throughout the match. Smalling seemed to struggle with passing as well as staying on his feet. He found himself on the ground far too often, which at times allowed Olympiakos to get forward into an attacking possition. Ferdinand received a very late yellow card for what could only be described as a frustration tackle, when he had no chance at making a play on the ball. The performance was especially disappointing from such a seasoned veteran as Ferdinand. The best defender of the match was Captain Nemanja Vidic who is set to leave the club this summer. With Vidic leaving and a possible retirement for Ferdinand the question of center back remains ever present in the mind of Man U fans.
Since joining the club after the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, David Moyes has been heavily criticized for the lack of signings he has brought in. Moyes brought in only one major signing in each of the transfer windows of the 2013-2014 season. The criticism is sure to come into play again after today's loss. The lack of options for United has not caused too much of an issue trouble in the Champions League prior to today, but the domestic campaign has been a very different story. TThe Red Devils have struggled in Premier League play all season. Prior to the signing of Juan Mata from Chelsea (who is ineligible for this Champions League season) the only major signing brought in was a former key in Moyes's Everton side, Marouane Fellaini. Fellaini picked up a long term injury shortly after signing, and has not been very effective for the Red Devils. Many fans of the Manchester side think more signings in the past summer transfer window should have been made, and these statements are not going unheard after the team went from winning the league last season to the sixth position in the table.
A big change is likely to come in the off-season before next season. With imminent losses in several positions Moyes will need to bring in many new signings. There is word that the Red Devils are interested in Roma defender Mehdi Benatia as well as possibly bringing German midfielder Toni Kroos. Though either of these moves would greatly help United, they will surely not be the only transfers pursued. Moyes will surely hope to secure Champions League football after a year off from Europe's top league next season. This will not be attainable without many signings and a very active transfer window this summer.
Though the Red Devils were unable to overcome the Greek side today, they will hope to edge a win as they play at home at Old Trafford on March 16. If they are able to overcome Olympiakos on aggregate they would be through to the quarter finals. The match-ups of the quarter finals will be decided by a random draw which will take place on March 21.
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