DONS MISSING A VITAL SPARK
Reds stutter again but there’s a fanfare for Sir Alex
THERE was to be no drama in Fergie time. Instead, the arguments remain that this group of Aberdeen players still could do with a dose of the old hairdryer treatment. Something — anything — to spark them into life.
As Sir Alex Ferguson watched on from the main stand, the current stars wearing red remain in a stuttering state. The greatest manager in their history witnessed another display in a season which won’t live long in the memory.
It’s important to factor in that these are still early stages in their new era under Jim Goodwin. Things have been hard enough trying to concentrate on his first home game in charge — and dealing with Covid within his squad and injuries — without the attention being drawn by Ferguson’s homecoming.
The former St Mirren boss is still awaiting his first win as the Dons remain without a victory in eight matches.
At a packed Pittodrie following the statue unveiling of 80-year-old Ferguson on Friday, the hosts fell behind to Marc McNulty’s early penalty for Dundee United.
Aberdeen levelled through Ryan Edwards’ own goal. But a game which started at 100 miles per hour slowed down and the Dons failed to break through a stubborn United.
Goodwin must quickly coach the team to be more clinical as they sit ninth in the Premiership — but only three points behind fourth-placed United. He won’t be able to turn to Sir Alex for advice every week.
The roar which greeted Ferguson as he made his way on to the pitch before kick-off shook Pittodrie. The old place was a sea of red with a special display being held aloft by those in the Richard Donald Stand.
They will never forget their past here. But, within four minutes of kick-off, a sobering reality of Aberdeen’s present struggles was captured in a bizarre and maddening piece of defending.
David Bates had already tugged at Ian Harkes’ shirt before he did it again and the United man fell to the turf. Penalty, no doubt. The defender was booked and McNulty made no mistake as he slotted in the opener to send more than 1,500 United fans went wild.
The Dons were level within 12 minutes. Vicente Besuijen’s shot from the right was parried by United goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist, but the ball fell to Matty Kennedy and the winger bundled the ball home via Edwards.
Aberdeen — who were missing captain Scott Brown, Ross McCrorie, Jonny Hayes and Calvin Ramsay — should have turned this game around a minute later. Funso Ojo’s cross found Christian Ramirez, who had held his run into the six-yard box, but he blasted his effort over the bar.
A see-saw game then saw United defender Ross Graham have a pop from distance with a dipping volley and Dons goalkeeper Joe Lewis pulled off a save.
Aberdeen wasted another chance to take the lead 10 minutes before the break. Kennedy burst down the left and his cross found Besuijen but his effort flew over the bar.
The visitors suffered a blow near the end of the first half when onloan Manchester United midfielder Dylan Levitt failed to shrug off an earlier knock and was replaced by Calum Butcher.
Lewis Ferguson threatened to give Aberdeen the lead shortly after the restart when he met a cross at the back post but Siegrist was alert to the danger.
The hosts then had their own injury concern when Connor McLennan limped off and Dylan McGeouch came on in his place.
The intensity of the first half had dropped completely, with both sides struggling to get into any rhythm. Ferguson’s wild shot over the bar and an effort from Connor Barron didn’t trouble Siegrist.
Substitute Teddy Jenks nicked the ball off United and charged forward, but he took an age to either shoot or cross and the ball was blocked before Siegrist gathered.
With seven minutes remaining, Ramirez won back possession and sent Besuijen down the left but his shot fired inches wide.
‘I thought the boys showed a big mentality,’ said United boss Tam Courts. ‘A lot has been made of the occasion — it was great to be a part of that — but come 3 o’clock, when the referee blows the whistle, it’s football time.
‘And once we got our noses in front, I really believed that was a big opportunity and press home our authority.
‘I feel a little bit disappointed. With the way the game unfolded, we were very aggressive from the outset and got our noses in front. From then, I really expected us to press home that advantage.
‘But we didn’t really capitalise. We were quite bitty and didn’t have a lot of retention high up the pitch, which effected our momentum and control. When Aberdeen got back into the game, it descended into something we didn’t want it to be. Equally, it’s a hard-fought point and it puts us in fourth.
‘The conditions had an effect on the game. But, after we scored, if we had commanded authority on the pitch, made better decisions, kept the ball for long and showed more creativity to get the second goal, we could have gone on to win the game quite comfortably.’