On thing that has been noticeable with us in recent times is we operate best using width. Antonio Valencia’s wide play was the talk of the town last season whilst Nani’s out wide as well as cutting in became a terror for all we played against. It was something we reaped the benefits from as Rooney highlighted the partnership he struck up with Valencia was part of the reason he got so many goals last season whilst many sang Nani’s praise as it appeared the Portuguese winger had finally turned a corner.
The width we possessed made us a threat to all we played and in the Community Shield two weeks ago Chelsea learned that first hand as we ripped them apart mainly due to play coming from out wide. Once Scholes fed the wings alarm bells rang. In the first game of the season Nani and Evra caused havoc on the left wing but have we developed an over reliance?
Fans have called for a creative midfielder for ages to run things in the middle of the park and although it’s been a concern, a number of things have masked over the problem. Previously we had Ronaldo, now it’s our wide play and Rooney’s goal return but what if these things falter?
On Sunday against Fulham, Valencia was uncharacteristically quiet (as he was against Newcastle) whilst Park was ineffective on the left and although Evra did his usual job trying to bomb forward John O’Shea offered very little. Our ineffectiveness out wide impacted our play as we negated our usual advantage became quite narrow and played into Fulham’s hands as we attempted to paint a masterpiece in a congested midfield. With Scholes in a rich vein of form he attempted to pull the strings as did Berbatov but Scholes will inevitably need a rest and although he is as creative a player as we have, Berbatov is still essentially a striker.
We looked a lot more threatening when we switched Valencia and Park for Giggs and Nani as we took the lead again but those minutes when Park and Valencia were being nullified it caused concern for a lot of fans. As I watched the game ManUnitedYouth stated it would have been interesting to see Tom Cleverley in Park’s position and I agree he should have been on the field but how about in an attacking midfielder role?
Sir Alex sang his praises when he decided to keep him at the club this season so why not give him a chance?
Of course it won’t be every week that we look so ineffective out wide and with Scholes rolling back the years anything is possible from his boots but it is definitely a worry. A creative midfielder would provide a plan B and though I don’t think we need to go out and buy one we should seriously look at the introduction of one as wing play may not always work as we saw yesterday.
Do agree that offense on the wings crumbled that day. Including the right wing against Newcastle.
Despite a good but not great season from Valencia last year, I had never been convinced enough. The main prob I have with him is that he is too one dimensional. And he doesn’t take shots regularly.
You could argue that it’s not his job to take shots. But sometimes he should really have a go and do it more often.
And personally, I feel that more often than not he gets subdued if the LB has pace to match.
Anyway, back to the main point. It would be good to have some creativity from the middle. And good point of Cleverley playing that role.
I’ve always maintained that past few seasons (except last) showed we did not need a creatIve midfielder. Carrick was stellar during that time. I think what we need is him or Ando to step up. I feel that even if they aren’t the attacking/creative MF that ‘we’ are shouting out for, they can still be creative from a withdrawn role.
But good article nevertheless highlighting our dependency on the flanks and our strengths and weaknesses on the flanks !
If Cleverly is rated so highly he should be on the subs bench and should be used at least in games against weaker opposition at home. SAF can’t use him as an excuse not to go for players like Ozil and then not play him.
Talking of wide players I’d like to see Obertan get some more chances. This should be a big season for him.
Thanks Seo!
Anderson is likely to get the nod and is included in the reserve team tonight for the City match but Cleverley having been regarded as too good to send on loan should be given a chance now.
I think collectively we have amongst the best wingers in the world but as I said it doesn’t always work and a plan B should be there just incase, something that wasn’t present on Sunday.
Talk of Obertan joining Preston looks like it was false so I’m guessing he will get a look in this season. The injury on the US tour didn’t help though.
Problem with Valencia at Fulham is there’s no width, the pitch is very narrow, when Valencia went off Nani went to the right and he was making runs infield from the right instead of trying to go on the outside. Nani on the right would have been a lot more effective had we done that from the start.