Rafael & Fabio Da Silva
In truth their fate brings to mind that of the Dark Lord ‘He who shalt not be named’ and ‘The Boy Who Lived’. One cannot survive while the other lives and likewise, it seems when one brother is in form and injury free, the other can’t get a look in and is found languishing on the sidelines. I’ve long held the suspicion that Fabio was a decent right-back and was featuring at left-back out of necessity rather than it being a specialist position where his best attributes come to the fore. In my opinion from what I’d seen of him, his left foot wasn’t all that great in a crossing sense and I did find it strange that many were so adamant that he was a left back and that is that.
Last season put that that myth to rest and he more than came into his own on the opposite flank.
One of them will definitely have a great season next year, which one I’m not too sure but for them both to have an excellent season, its going to take the usurping of Evra at left-back for that to happen, it’s possible but in my opinion unlikely as they’re both not what I consider natural left-backs, but both are first team right-backs next year in any case. Fabio’s coming of age performance v Barca cemented this notion and don’t rule out a regular call up for Brazil. by the end of next season
Areas of Improvement: Positioning, Reckless tackles, Ambidextrous Crossing, More impact in the final third, Showcasing more of their flair .
Anderson
Is it make or break next season? I’m not too sure, it depends on what expectations Fergie has of him, the signings we may possibly make in the midfield area and if so, whether Anderson finally finds himself a role in which he feels comfortable and better suited to his attributes.
In my opinion anyone who thinks Anderson will suddenly blossom into the PFA player of the year next season, ‘Do a Nani’, is expecting too much. Midfielders tend to take longer to mature than wingers, and are in their prime after the age of 25, whereas wingers can explode onto the scene even in their teens.
United’s first concern with Anderson should be getting an entire season out of him without injuries and niggles. Resting him when he need to be rested and supplying him with a regular run in the first team is crucial in developing him and judging once and for all whether he has what it takes to play for this club. He also needs to undergo an intense fitness regime in order to become more of a dynamo in the midfield.
Another season like this and it wouldn’t surprise me if Fergie did offload him, its time he showed serious progress, if not breaking through into the first team at least prove to the United faithful he can hack an entire season and be a reliable player when needed.
Areas of Improvement: Positioning, Stamina, General Fitness, Shooting, Set Pieces, Heading.
David De Gea
An expensive goalkeeping acquisition, in United’s case they don’t always tend to go well. That said, something tells me that the backroom staff have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to recruit the perfect keeper in terms of compatibility with United’s style and a like for like replacement for Van der Sar.
From what I’ve seen of him in La Liga and the Under 21?s, he is cool, calm and collected… just the right sort of personality for this current United side. We don’t really need a Schmeichelesque keeper anymore, as we’re not as loose at the back. Therefore a shot stopper in the Casillas mould isn’t what we need but rather a keeper who stays in the shadows, can concentrate for long periods and do the simple stuff without fluffing it under intense pressure. Hence why I genuinely believe De Gea was first choice even if Neuer was available.
On the floor he seems pretty decent, but then again any keeper playing behind Spain won’t be caught hitting the ball very long – that said, the fact he comes from the nation of Casillas and Reina bodes well and he isn’t no Valdes in that department trust me.
Areas of Improvement: Will have to up his aerial game in order to keep successfully in the EPL, Shot-stopping from long range.
Chris Smalling
I rate this lad extremely highly, in my opinion by far the most standout english talent at the recent U21?s and probably the best young defender at the tournament bar none. His ability to bring the ball out of defence and just keep the game moving forward under pressure is amazing, and its something which even the likes of Ferdinand are guilty of not doing enough of at International Level. and especially in the Barcelona final at Wembley where VDS was forced to kick the ball long on repeated occasions due to our defenders lacking the mobility and class in possession to take it to the catalans (granted abit of help from the midfield wouldn’t go amiss either).
Positionally he can get caught out when playing with less senior partners, but when alongside a Rio or a Vidic, he tends to excel and for this reason alone I really think he can cement himself as a first team regular as early as next year. Displacing one of Ferdinand or Vidic takes some herculean defending, but this lad is capable of those feats and many underestimate his talent, or shy away from just how much they’re taken aback by his performances in his short career to date.
Areas of Improvement: Positioning, Leadership, Long Range Passing, General Strength & Aggression
Great article. I agree with most of what you say and enjoy the insight you have shown. Well written, well presented article. Thanks for the good read
I think Cleverley is going to take a few people by surprise this year I really do. The twins are, I think, better higher up the pitch and you don’t captain a Brazilian side at any age unless you are bloody good. Also one of them was top scorer in an U17 tournament. I wouldn’t be surprised to see one or both play midfield this season in selected games.
Smalling just oozes class and has proven to be a snip at ten million.
I hope Jones gets a few games under his belt and hope he does well because he seems a genuinely good lad and very good footballer. If he can play defensive mid then we’ll see more of Carrick in terms of passing.
Anderson is a frustration for me. Some days he is class and others he is invisible. I’ll never forget his first game against Gerrard where he made him look ordinary. More of those performances from him and we’re laughing.
Great article and enjoyable read…here’s hoping for one more creative midfielder and another league title. Please, please let it be Sneijder or Deffour.
This is an astute blog post. It’s great to see someone writing about United with some sense. Personally I don’t think Welbeck has the ability to make it at the top, while Cleverley is going to find it hard to get game time – particularly if we sign a central midfielder.
Great to see an article again from you Rae.
Regarding Ando, you make a good point when people expect he “pull a Nani”. Since you mention it, I can’t think of an example where a CM went from average to top class in a short amount of time. That said, I feel last season was a good progression for him. It wasn’t breakout per say, but he showed a lot more consistency and only had a couple of poor performances. His passing has looked much better too. I trust he’ll continue improving.
As for Cleverley, I hope we give him a good chance too and play him as AMF. Granted it was at the Championship, but he looked really good there with Watford and where he can best utilize his abilities. My optimism towards him is a bit more guarded than it used to be; but I still feel he deserves a chance to prove himself in the first team.
the situation with anderson is simple he came at unitd as an attacking midfielder hes spent the last three years trying to be a central mid naturally it will take him time to improve. last season the same thing started with davide petruci the coaches try to make a player different roles
Another great article, thank you. So much shit is written on the various ‘news’ sites and this site is always a breath of fresh air.
I think Anderson would excel if he was only played in his more natural position as an attacking mid rather than being positioned further back. I’m afraid I don’t see Cleverley as united material, he’s a good player but not not good enough IMHO (same for Welbeck). The twins are the future, no error, as is Smalling (what a great signing, almost as good as Hernandez in his own way). I wonder what the future holds for Macheada?
Interesting article, I find it slightly pessimistic towards our academy graduates (except Macheda i think the fact you did not even give him his on analysis spot on)however I guess it is being realistic. I just feel Clev and Welbeck will get a good run in the squad. It is hard to figure out where, but thats where our manager earns his money.
As for the Fabio Rafael conundrum, I think one will some how make a shift into full time attacker. Looking back at the Arsenal game in the FA cup I thought they were brilliant!
re: da silvas,it would be a laugh if both played up the right a left back and commentaters nightmare
Or worse, right back and right wing.
Good article, a lot of interesting points are made. Its a big season because we are putting our faith in these youngsters.
We are losing experience is VDS, Nevile, Scholes, O’Shea, Brown, Hargreaves and probably Berbatov. But its the changing of the times.
Next season we have an exciting young goalkeeper in De Gea. The Da Silva twins are taking over right back. Smalling and Jones are being groomed to replace Ferdinand and Vidic. Evans is become the new Mr versatile, like P. Nevile and O’Shea before him.
In midfield we signed Young and are hopefully getting Nasri to strengthen. This will effect Cleverley the most as his route is blocked off. His game time might be limited to Cup competitions. Anderson needs to work harder, but if he does then his role will be big. I’m expecting Pogba to also be promoted to the first team next season.
A big gamble is upfront. Berbarov could leave and I doubt we will replace him. It will be down to Welbeck and Macheda to provide competition and cover to Rooney and Hernandez.
Berbatov isn’t going anywhere, flat track bully or not 20 goals is impressive. The nose nknows how to deploy him against the right teams. I’d like to see Sturrige here to go with Welbeck, those two had some good understanding in the U21 games (about the only ones that did). You didn’t mention Pogba, Pertucci, Morrison, and Tunniclif; they will all see games in competition this year, maybe not with MU but there are a bunch of talented mid’s coming up.