The end of the transfer window is almost upon us and it looks like Sir Alex will not be venturing into the market again this summer. It is very possible that this is now our squad for the entire season as Fergie is not the biggest fan of January signings. Lets examine our first team squad, highlighting where we are strong and where we might be weaker.
There is definitely strength in depth throughout and plenty of good players at the boss’s disposal. However some positions look stronger than others. Fergie has embraced team rotation in recent seasons like he never has before. In the 93/94 season, virtually the same side was picked every single week: Schmeichel, Parker, Pallister, Bruce, Irwin, Giggs, Keane, Ince, Kanchelskis, Hughes, Cantona. However this is not the case anymore.
The rigours of the modern game and sheer number of matches means that it is crucial to have two quality players for every position. United have that in most positions. To me, our forward line looks strong. Berbatov has started the season well which is massive boost. No one ever doubted his ability but the return on investment simply hasn’t been there over the last two seasons. It is hugely encouraging to see him scoring goals, linking well and playing with a smile on his face. Rooney is our main man up front and is slowly working towards his top form. The goal against West Ham on Saturday should give him a boost . There is also Owen, Macheda, Hernandez and Bebe. Chicharito is a good player and will do well for United. I am remain unconvinced on Owen and am more excited about Macheda to be honest. The Italian has bags of talent and that hunger and drive that is required. I would like to see him jump ahead of Owen in the pecking order. He is the future. Ultimately, our forward division is superb in my book. In defense, we look fairly well covered across the board. The long awaited return of Rio Ferdinand looks to be around the corner and Evans has done very well thus far. Throw our Serbian terminator into the equation and it makes for strong looking centre back combinations. The only real worry here is the fitness of Ferdinand over the course of the season.
One concern I would have is right back. At the game on Saturday against West Ham, O’Shea was consistently skinned by Kieron Dyer. He is a solid squad player but I would not fancy him in a Champions League final against a Messi, Ronaldo or even a Gareth Bale on current form. Rafael has all the talent but is still a little raw. His inexperience can be glaring at times but he will be a phenomenal right-back for United in years to come. He has pace to burn. As long as we can avoid the freak defensive injury crisis of last season, we should be okay.
Our first choice midfield is excellent. Nani and Scholes are playing outstanding football at the moment and would make up our my starting midfield along with Fletcher and Valencia. This is a first class midfield but as the season goes on, there will be fairly frequent changes. Scholesy won’t play anywhere near all the games this season. Carrick’s form hasn’t be good of late. He looks a little lightweight and even his passing hasn’t been as good as it was in the past. We may be a little thin here and hopefully Anderson will return in the kind of form he was producing the season before last. Giggs can slot into the centre as can Gibson but it seems slightly light to me. The continued absence of Hargreaves is a blow. When we play someone like Barca, it will realistically be Fletcher’s job to get amongst them and break up the play. These players are definitely capable and it will be up to Fergie to pick the right players for the right games.
Make no mistake, Sir Alex has a quality squad at his disposal. If injuries are kind to us, we should challenge on all fronts.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Since you talk about Bebé, might as well make the update here.
It’s getting more likely that will play for the U-21 team this Friday against england. Our best striker his definitely out has he picked up an injury, and Bebé has been putting on a show in practice. Three goals and apparently one of them was amazing. He was on the ground with his back to the goal and managed to lob the ball over the head of the keeper, no footage though.
Ha, that’s some amazing inside information you got there Nuno. Our Porteguese football correspondent does it again! I really want to see that under 21 game to get a good look at Bebe. There have been so many contrasting stories in terms if how he’s training etc. How highly is he rated in Portugal?
Basically we know as much as you do. No one has seen him play, the press is trying to milk the story but since he is not aloud to give interviews, and he hasn’t played a game yet they can’t get anything of value. Just his friends saying that he is amazing…
Will there be a podcast this week?
Thats interesting. I definitely need to watch that game to give him the proper lowdown. Yes, we are doing the podcast today so it will be up tomorrow. Any suggestions?!
Hey guys,
My name is Des, regular reader, first time commenter.
Have to say, I do disagree with the O’ Shea comment. I watched the game on Saturday, I don’t think he was consistently skinned. I really believe O’Shea is a great player, and he has proved himself in Europe over the previous seasons, he’s just not a worry for me.
For me, the real problem here is depth. Giggs and Scholes are just back from a 12 week holiday, so they’re in great form, but that won’t last. You just know at some point our midfield is going to be an out-of-sorts Nani, Carrick, Gibson and Park, and that’s when I start shitting myself.
The biggest problem is that there is no cover for Scholes. Giggs can be swapped with Valencia, Park, or Nani and we do grand. But without Scholes the whole team changes, Rooney starts dropping far deeper, Berbatov has no one to lay the ball to. Basically my worry is that on evidence thus far, we’re building a fantastic team around a 35 yr old player who can’t play 38 games a season. It’s for this reason I saying Hail Mary’s when the Ozil rumours started, we need a player like that.
Like the blog,
Des
Hey Des,
Nice comment. Couldn’t agree more with you on the depth in midfield issue. Ozil was exactly the type of midfielder we needed. No else in our squad can do what Scholes is doing at the moment. Carrick, Anderson etc don’t have that creative spark or the ability to control the tempo like Scholesy does. You are spot on as well that Berba is a much better player when the ginger one is playing. I would love to see Rooney start playing on the last shoulder of the defence like he was doing last season, particularly when he is playing with Berba. Its different when he is playing with Chicharito or Owen as they are out and out strikers. There is big hopes for Cleverley in the creative midfield role but his absence this season suggests he is a way off yet.
On the O’Shea point, I do like him as a player, particularly his versatility. I just think at the very top level, he may come under pressure playing right back. He is not lightning quick and can be slow to turn. He does get beaten on the outside. Good player all the same though.
Cheers Des, hope to see you around these parts again!
Agree Des that have never had a problem with John O’Shea, he is rock solid and slots in all over the place. Would never be world class at another team but does what he needs to do very well at United. Just seeing hi up close at the game on Sat (you always see it different when at game as opposed to telly) his touch looked way off, probably just the summer break though, he will be grand.
So many people forget that Scholesy was the best player of his generation in England, sure Keano, becks, Rooney, Ferdinand, Ronaldo etc etc have contributed tons but he is the one who has been there with Giggsy through it all. I’d agree that this is a season too far though and all well and good doing it at Old Trafford against West Ham in August but away to Chelsea in middle of winter against a midfield of Essien and Lamps is a completely different story! I’d like to see Anderson back in there shaking it up for competition in places but from what I have been reading he has gone off the rails a little and not even looking good in training.
Cleverley needs to come along pronto!!
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