Recent rumors linking Manchester United to the likes of Rafael Van Der Vaart, Fabrice Muamba, Raul Miereles all seem to indicate that the great minds at the press feel United need a new midfielder in their ranks, but when one looks through the United squad, it’s obvious to see the abundance of talented players who are more than capable of excelling.
United’s squad has players with a lot of experience and also youngsters who are waiting to learn from some of the best in the world, a perfect blend of youth and experience. United have the experience of the likes of Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher, while also some excellent talents in Anderson, Darron Gibson, Tom Cleverley, Corry Evans and Magnus Eikrem. We also have Matty James and Daniel Drinkwater out on loan for the season, both of whom have so far been very impressive for their respective clubs.
One doesn’t really need to explain too much on the likes of Scholes, Giggs, Carrick and Fletcher; they have already proved how good they are over the years. For those who don’t know much about some of the youth mentioned above:
Anderson
Should be considered one of the most talented young players at the club, on his day he has shown that he can keep the likes of Gerrard and Fabregas quiet with great ease. Anderson has a great range of passing and is technically brilliant; he can make good runs and this coupled with his sudden bursts of pace make him a dangerous player to track for any player. Anderson came to the club as a Wide/Attacking Midfielder but Sir Alex has been trying to mould him into a player similar to Paul Scholes. Having just returned from Injury, the current season is going to be pivotal in Ando’s united career.
Darron Gibson
The Irish midfielder has been underrated by many United fans, including myself. He was never expected to make it at the club but Gibson has improved over the past two seasons and is slowly showing signs that he might actually be good enough to be a first teamer. Gibson has a knack of scoring goals, usually from outside the box, and the power he generates in his shots is amazing. Gibson’s passing is not bad and is improving. His biggest weakness might be his lack of mobility; he isn’t quickest on the pitch and can struggle to keep up fast attackers when tracking back. Sir Alex has already said he considers Gibson to be a very important player and he has a very important season ahead if he is to become the goal scoring midfielder people hope he will.
Tom Cleverley
The latest youngster to come into contention for a first team spot, Cleverley excelled on loan at Watford last season where he was one of the prime reasons why the Hornets avoided the drop. Cleverley has shown that he can score goals from midfield, and his versatility will work in his favour as he can play centrally and as a winger. Cleverley is to be loaned out for some first team experience in the premier league and if he performs as well as he did with Watford, we can be sure to see a lot more of him in the future.
Corry Evans
The younger Evans brother is slowly making a name for himself at United. He’s been constantly improving and impressing everyone, called up for the pre-season tour of America and also now a regular international for Northern Ireland, Corry looks set for a bright future at Old Trafford. Reserve manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer stated he definitely had a future at the club describing him as a Claude Makelele type player clearly indicating how highly he’s regarded at Old Trafford.
Magnus Eikrem
The Norwegian youngster has been in scintillating form lately, providing 2 assists in the reserve team’s 3-1 victory over Manchester City reserves. The attacking midfielder also is presently the captain for the reserves squad. Primarily an attacking midfielder, who is competent down the wings as well, Eikrem has a great passing range and excellent vision, this along with his great movement and deftness at set pieces make him an excellent playmaker. Eikrem is one to watch out for in the Carling Cup where he named as a sub last season but didn’t make it onto the field.
There we have a range of midfielders from defensive to attacking to wide men. It’s understandable that as the transfer window is coming to a close papers will link United with a number of players but from what I’ve seen we’re not doing too bad.
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its not depth we lack as we have the bodies,its class.
Clearly Eikrem, Evans, Drinkwater, James and Cleverley aren’t considered to be ready by the Gaffer. Anderson is already being seen overstuffing his face and partying all night at night, so it’s not a talent issue. Darren Gibson is a talented outside shooter, but he’s slow of foot and somewhat thick in the head. The problem is right now, not two years on, when the brilliantly gifted Paul Pogba will step up along with Eikrem. I’d be amazed to see Everton let Rodwell go and take Carrick in part-exchange. Raul Miereles would have been a perfect midfield choice as he’s able to play both attacking and defencive roles, but, as he’s too old to suit the club, we’re going to have to settle for the usual suspects–Scholes, Giggs, Carrick, Anderson and Fletcher–and pray nobody gets hurt before January.
Sure we have numbers and a fair amount of class but what we really need is a midfield general a la Robson / Keane!!
I think we have some classy youngsters it just will they be given a chance. Of all those names I’ve always had a thing for Magnus Eikrem and I feel although he may not be at the ‘come in against Chelsea and shine’ stage he is ready for PL football.
A very classy player as are all of the players mentioned. it’s just a case of maintaining it constantly.
Good Evening.
“That the great minds at the press feel United need a new midfielder in there ranks”
No its the fans that watch the games and sites like this that discuss the actual situation and team.
Its the lack of thrust and potency from the midfield to combat our main competitor Chelsea.
I am sure you know the stats for Lampard and Malouda, in goal scoring terms and assists.
Lets for the sake of arguement remove Paul and Ryan from your list of midfielders as will likely happen over the next two seasons.Where are we then!
“Excellent talent in Anderson” This is a joke right.17 Million pounds, 55 games 2 goals.Where is the substance to put any faith in him/or wait for him.
Darren,Darron,Micheal and Tom Cleverley no doubt are for United.
I wont comment on the younger players you mention, its inapproriate in this Article because they will feature in the immediate future or at least 3 years in the first team on a regular basis.I do have MUTV so I know them all well.
My point is where is the facts, in say two years to support we have enough talent in midfield.
We need to sign an agressive forward thinking midfielder thats going to crack in excess of 12 goals per season.
But we cant right. WHY?
Believe.
The problem with all those names mentioned – except for maybe Anderson-son-son (sorry) and Gibo. Experience. I personally believe Corry is one of those players who can link up with the first team and can be thrown straight into the deep end. He is just that type of player. I know a bit about him and I am already a bit of a fan. Magnus is also another player whom i have seen play and truly is a immense talent. Tactically very aware and reads the game exceptionally well. Ajose is a winger not on this list but he too is defo i think (at the rate he is going) United material. However unlike Corry i think those 2 need a bit more time in the reserves learn their trade abit more. Cleverly is ‘cool’ this season i really would like Fergie to stick to his words and blood the young lads because he was not talking in vein about their talent. I think we will see more of Corry and Smarty Pants (Cleverly) In the carling cup or even on the bench. Cant see them getting more than 120 minutes domestically this season. sort of like Welbeck and Macheda. But In the Slight chance Fergie gives us a read PLEASE BLOOD THEM IN THE STYLE OF YOUR EARLY FLEDGING. THROW EM IN THE DEEP END WITH ALL DUE RESPECT SIR. 😀
The author missed the point entirely. Depth in numbers does not equate to depth in class, and United’s midfield has been little more than competent over the last few years and totally outclassed by better teams. That’s why Fergie went for 4-5-1 last year, to shore up the midfield with an extra man, and it’s a pattern he’ll probably follow again in the bigger games this year. Berba has been the one to suffer for all this, not only for being dropped through no fault of his own, or that the sporadic appearances did little to help him keep his touch, but also became he became everyone’s scapegoat for United’s lack of results, when the blame should have been bestowed upon the likes of Carrick and Anderson.
United’d midfield is in dire shape, completely reliant on an old stager like Scholes and a terrier like Fletcher. The former has learned to play well within the limitations imposed by older legs, but still is a a shadow of the player from 5 – 6 years ago. Fletcher is a professional pest on the pitch to opposing midfielders, but tenacity only goes so far. His passing and vision leave a lot to be desired at times.
As for all the youth touted in this article, you can talk all day about potential, but at the end of the day they have to stand up and be counted on the field, and the likes of Corry Evans, Eikram and co aren’t going to get much of a look in this campaign. And Gibson is far too slow and ponderous to ever make a really good midfielder, and is far too enamored of his long range shooting to be of much use to the strikers – so what’s the point of having him on in an attacking role?
United need a classic stopper to help protect the back four, and a suitable successor to Scholes so that he can slip back into the cameo role his age and circumstances should dictate. if anything, his ongoing role as the centerpiece of the midfield shows hoe deep the problems really are, because no one has come along to push the old warhorse out to pasture. We’re as reliant on him as ever, which shouldn’t be the case for a guy who’s 35 years old.
the only reason Sir Alex didn’t invest in anyone this summer is because we have the above mentioned players. and if they are never given an oppurtunity to play how can you say they haven’t stood up and been counted?
and i think we have probably the best young midfielders coming through, Matt James, not mentioned here, is another one to look out for. If we keep buying players from outside, we never give the youth a chance, and without watching them perform at the big stage ruling them out is stupid!
If u put Paul Scholes in any other team in the premier league they would be just as reliant on him! He’s a player who cannot be replaced! Its a misconception that he can be replaced, anyone who thinks so is dreaming. The simple reason we depend on him so much is because he’s just that good, not because we have no quality players!
I’m not opposed to bringing in say one midfielder, but agree that it’s an exageration to say we lack depth in midfield. With any signing, I’d ask a United fan, which one of our current players should we give up on then? As it stands Carrick is the only one who has come of age and has disappointed. However, it was basically just one season, and I think he deserves a chance to redeem himself.
Virtually everyone agrees that Anderson is extremely gifted, yet some think he can’t fulfill his potential. Let’s remember that though he has been 1st team awhile, he is still only 22 which is young by any standard, but especially since very few excel at his position at that age.
I’m not in favor of going to the Arsenal “let’s wait and see” appproach for half a decade, butI think many are currently a bit rash.
anderson does have all the talent but none of the attitude required to be a united class player. there is always the possibility he does a nani and it all lands in place for him and he starts to understand.
I’m gutted to see Cleverley go on loan, thought he could do a job for us this season, defo got the talent and seems a nice lad.
Gibson won’t ever be united class, too slow and passing not good enough but will be a good player for sunderland, stoke, etc like richardson et al.
In my opnion, the one name left off this list is Paul Pogba…he’s 18 and maing a massive impression and if you bring in another midfielder now, u won’t be able to get him in the team.
Has anyone heard anythin about Petrucci? At one point he was making a big impression (and the style of midfielder we need) bt then he got injured and not heard from him since.