Luka Modric seems keen on Chelsea, Arsene Wenger is intent on holding on to Nasri and Sir Alex has all but ruled out a move for Wesley Sneijder. So what happens if that’s that for incoming transfers at Old Trafford?
The denial of Sneijder interest could obviously be a smokescreen but as much as I admire Sneijder, he isn’t a perfect fit for us right now. An incredibly gifted midfielder who will give us a new dimension in Europe and can win a game on his own. Yes. But someone who will track back as part of a centre midfield two and enjoy playing in deeper role’s when the boss’ tactics require. No.
It is also conceivable that we could make a late swoop for Modric or Nasri. With the defence bolstered and a new keeper signed up, midfield is our weak point but would it be catastrophic if we stuck with what we have?
United were criticised last season for being functional, with pieces of magic from Nani and Berbatov seeing us through the first half of the season and the Rooney/Chicharito partnership carrying us through the second. I believe this just re-iterated that football is a team game and a good squad is needed to be successful.
And I also think we would be fine with what we have if the season started tomorrow.
Ryan Giggs found some exceptional form in the second half of last season but I would imagine Sir Alex will use him even more sparingly this campaign, with important cameos replacing the match-winning performances we are used to. And of course Paul Scholes has retired.
On the other hand, we really missed Darren Fletcher last season and he hasn’t travelled to America, instead staying at Carrington to undertake some individual conditioning. Hopefully this will help him shake off the virus which has plagued him since March. Add a fit Darren Fletcher to an on-form Michael Carrick and things don’t look so bad.
Carrick went from strength to strength in the latter part of last season and started to show glimpses of his form of three years ago. Fletch and Carrick are equally comfortable in a 4-4-2 of 4-3-3 and keeping them fit and on form will be key to any success we have, whether we sign another midfielder or not.
Then there is Anderson, who I did a piece on last month. If he can continue his progression from last season into this one, he will be a force to be reckoned with and may find himself quickly becoming one of our key players. I hope Anderson can hit the ground running this year and have no doubt that if he does, he will get better and better.
The width will look after itself, with Nani fulfilling his potential last season and likely to get even better this year. There is also a full-season to come from Antonio Valencia, who was unbelievably good last season, all things considered, bar the champions league final. Park Ji-Sung also missed a chunk of last season and showed his importance with some great performances during the run-in last season. And Ashley Young has joined, who I am not a massive fan of, but I do believe he will add something to the squad and I think he will improve while learning at United.
Then there are the two youngsters whose names seem to be on everybody’s lips. Paul Pogba and Ravel Morrison. Pogba in particular I think will get some first-team action this season, with many commenting how much he has filled out over the summer, adding to his already impressive physical prowess. Sir Alex talked of debating with himself whether to take the young midfielder on tour in the States before deciding against and as far as Morrison is concerned, if he focuses on his football and puts everything into his United career, the sky is the limit.
So, while a Modric/Nasri/Sneijder would be welcomed at Old Trafford, a new attacking midfielder is not the be all and end all. There are plenty of other reasons for excited optimism around Old Trafford this season.
I think we have to sign at least one new central midfielder during the summer or as many have said we will struggle again, especially away from home.
The news that Fletcher could miss the start of the season is a major concern and further depletes our numbers there, Carrick has to raise his game and return to his form of 3 or 4 years ago. Anderson looked really impressive during the friendly the other night,full of energy and clever passing. Hopefully Cleverley can also make an impact this season. As for Pogba and Morrison again I hope the manager gives them a chance in the first team. As for Sneijder, I just can’t see the manager splashing out £30+m plus wages on a 27yr old who is untested in the Premiere League, just think it’s too big a gamble. Outside bet would be for us to sign someone like Marvin Martin for £12-15m.
Buy Jack Rodwell as a sub for Hargreaves, and Nasri for Scholes. then we can get nearly two players for snejiders price… Rodwell is going to be a great player under SAF wings, he could be the hard working DM.
Sneijder has the ability to track back. He was classed as more defensive midfielder until recently, well if not defensive more orthodox. Given the choice of Nasri, Modric & Sneijder, Sneijder is the best by a country mile. I’d personally like to go for somebody lassana diarra to alongside him but that’s never gonna happen.
The author is dreaming if he thinks that United’s midfield can stand another season of relative mediocrity compared to the better teams, especially in the manner in which he talks up Fletcher and particularly Carrick, who repeated his shocking performance of three years ago when the return bout presented itself against Barca.
Anderson’s form towards the end of last season looked promising, but he has to show that he can build on that and show consistency.
As for Giggs, wake up. Yes, he had some good performances, but his aging legs aren’t getting any younger, and truth to tell, for all his good work he’s also one of the team’s worst wastrels with the ball, the antithesis of Barcelona’s possession-oriented midfield magicians.
All in all United looked very pedestrian and unimaginative through the midfield last term, resorting to one-dimensional wing play to try and break down their better opponents, which made them very predictable and easier to defend. Yes, the team won the EPL, but United did so by almost accidentally falling over the line ahead of opponents who found new and creative ways to shoot themselves in the foot through what was the worst season of football in recent memory – such largess is highly unlikely to fall United’s way again.
If Fergie has no interest in expanding on the purchases made so far than either he has high hopes for Morrison, Pogba, and Cleverly breaking through into the first team this season, or he has designs on playing Jones and/or Young through the middle. Nice as an experiment, but not what United currently need, which is world class talent in the middle of the pitch to match the talent at front, back and on the sidelines.
Lastly, the point about Rooney’s new found range of passing was a joke, right? The guy pulls off a few decent passes, and suddenly he’s Xavi? Give me a break! A decent attacking midfielder requires vision, good technique, exceptional passing ability, situational awareness, intelligence, and an innate ability to readily find space and time at will. These are traits entirely lacking in Rooney’s makeup. I mentioned earlier how wasteful Giggs is with the ball – the number one villain in the side for such errant behaviour is Rooney, who is the one most responsible for breaking down forays forward – and for putting the defence under pressure with idiotic hail-Mary passes or by allowing himself to be easily disposed. The only change to Rooney last term was the recognition that he lacks the skill to beat defenders one on one, and that if his dwindling pace doesn’t allow him enough space to make a break or pass the ball forward, he simply resorts to passing the ball laterally or backwards in the hope that someone else can do a better job with it than he can. At least it helps United keep the ball, even when he can’t do anything with it! Watch Rooney closely next term, and take into account how often his passes hand that ball back to the opposition, or how he backs away and lamely disposes the ball when a defender happens to come his way.
PS – that was supposed to be dispossessed, not disposed. Typo turned into an incorrect insertion by the spell-checker.
First half of this response to the article was intelligent and accurate, but the assassination of Rooney that followed was well OTT.
I don’t remember making a point about Rooney’s range of passing. I agree he is no attacking midfielder. As I said in the article, Giggs will be LESS effective in the coming season. You’re spot on about Anderson. I think most will agree that Fletcher isn’t a world-beater but having him fit makes us a better team and Carrick was poor in the CL final, but apart from Ferdinand, Vidic and Rooney, everyone was. What I am trying to say with this article is that everyone seems to be desperate for a new centre mid, we could go another season as we are, providing the more senior players are playing well. It will also give us a chance to see what the youngsters may bring to the side. Catching up with Barca won’t happen this season, even if we signed all three of the players mentioned.
I find it so irritating when people try and be smart arses on who will and won’t “fit” in United’s team?? Sneijder is a world class midfielder who would adapt to whatever midfield role was asked of him. Are you trying to suggest that you wouldn’t be chuffed to bits if we signed him cos I bloody would. I’m happy with the 3 signings so far but if that’s it I think I’ll be a bit confused as apart from a keeper, central midfield has been in my opinion for 3 or 4 years a crucial position that has been in the most obvious need for new blood. Sneijder would be great but if not him somebody needs to be drafted in because as much as I like Anderson I am beginning to lose patience with his lack of development. Fletcher is good but certainly not great & Carrick is also well short of the mark & should now be a squad man. We need a general – a playmaker – a winner. We won the title llast season with the weakest United squad of the modern era & we got into our 3rd CL final out of 4 so it seems to me that the only realistic goal left for Fergie is to topple the current Barca dominance. To do that we quite simply need a new central midfielder – period.. I would be very happy to see Cleverley & one or two of the other youth team boys (Pogba & Morrison) come through but unlike the early 90’s time is no longer on Alex’s side & for this reason I believe there is still mileage in a deal for Wes..
Irwell to Sicily,
Like your article, spot on,
You hit the nail right on the head.
Well your not saying anything new or profound. its all been said before. Unfortunatly players dont all play to the best of their ability all the time. football is about the team. we dont have something special like messi or ronaldo.
sign rodwell and wilshere.
If we don’t buy anyone in midfield we have to give Anderson and Cleverly lots of games and give them a chance to establish themselves. One or both of them might be the answer. I’d rather watch them trying and failing than the relentlessly mediocre Fletcher and Carrick.
I’m afraid to say that timbo is right on the money with his excellent post above,the midfield alternated between functional and abysmal throughout last season,no point deluding ourselves.
In the majority of away games last term,even against the so-called weaker sides,we were outpassed and outplayed in the central midfield,resorting to hopeful punts upfield and “route one” stuff on way too many occasions.
Carrick’s constant misplaced passes and negativity had me screaming in frustration (does anyone actually think this guy is fit to tread the same turf as the likes of Keano,Scholes,Robbo,etc.??)Fletch is,to quote the king,a water-carrier whose willing but not so able if we’re being totally honest.Anderson shows flashes of brilliance,but these are all too few and far between alas.
We need one or two top class,technically gifted players in there if we’re to even dream of matching up to Barca,perhaps Morrison,Pogba and Cleverly will be just that,but in two or three years not now.
P.S. Does anyone know why Posseban was offloaded without being given a chance? That guy could pass a football and retain possession,something in very short supply right now.
Yeah, he was sold due to him struggling to overcome the injury he suffered against Middlesbrough, he was never the same player after that.
Thanks.
I remember now that was a nasty injury,shame because he looked very promising to me.
I read an article recently that was estimating the wage bill reduction as a result of the exit of Scholes, Neville, Hargreaves, Brown, O’Shea & Van Der Saar along with the probable departure of Gibson. Obviously there’s the 3 in but surely those 6 potentially 7 must have been on around £300k a week between them. Also Giggs is surely on his swan song year & ready to go do some shaggin so that will be another big weekly pay packet gone. All this along with the interviews with Dutch journalists I’ve heard on Talk Sport basically saying Sneijder is a done deal & the story of Nike filling the wage gap makes me think Fergie is being economical with the truth.
He’s always done it. How many times over the years have we been blown away with sudden & unexpected signings? Anyone remember way back when we were being heavily linked with, wait for it Stan Collimore! I remember nearly choking on me tea when it was announced we’d signed Andy Cole – where did that come from!
I’m definately optimistic that the central midfield will be filled in the next few weeks.
Whatever happens, fergie will get it right as he always does. Anyone who ever doubts him gets made to look stupid, dont fall into the trap and be his next victim.
A lot of talk of how united need to buy players to catch barca, when in reality we already have the next barca-type stars at our club. MORRISON, COLE, COFIE, POGBA, LINDGARD, DHAELI, TUNNICLIFFE, KEANE X2 ARE THE FUTURE. No other club has anywhere near this talent in their academys and these players will win the champions league in fergies last hurrah. You dont need a crystal ball to know this, you just have to watch them play.
Also there’s cause for optimism with the arrangement we have with Desportivo Brasil and FC Twente and the young Brazilian prospects,hopefully it’ll unearth some gems.