Everyone is talking about United's lack of firepower and quite right too, the search for replacements is well and truly on, it is to be hoped United sign a genuine pacey number nine. However, while scoring goals is likely to be a big problem for the champions next season the midfield is another area that needs attention.
Fergie has had to play Rooney on the left wing too often, this in part is because Rooney could do the job arguably better than anyone else in a 4:3:3 formation. With Ronaldo gone, Fergie needs to find someone who can attack and defend from a wide position because as we saw in the Champions League final United's midfield crumbled, one player who is currently up for grabs and one who could do a great job down the left flank is Royston Drenthe.
The combination of Evra and Drenthe would provide United with a solid left flank, what's more the Real Madrid star can play left-back too, this is an area where Fergie has been lacking in quality options... On the opposite flank United could well have Valencia and Da Silva.
IF Fergie can make United stronger across the midfield it will give the manager more scope and flexibility in his attacking options, he could switch to a 4:4:2 formation safe in knowledge that he has players who will give 100% commitment in all areas of the engine room.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Rooney central to United hopes
Wayne Rooney has laid down his intentions for the season after revealing he wants to play as a central striker. The United star was often shifted out to the wing last term as Sir Alex Ferguson used Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez down the middle, but with the pair gone, Rooney now sees himself as the man who can take on the goal responsibility.
Rooney grabbed 20 goals in 39 starts last season, while the season before he managed 18 goals in 39 starts, but this season the former Everton man is hoping to contribute more and fulfil his true potential.
United will have to bolster their squad, with a winger - probably Antonio Valencia - and a striker top of Fergie's wishlist, as it seems a good Premier League bet that even a pumped up Rooney firing on all cylinders won't get anywhere near the 104 that Ronaldo (72) and Tevez blasted in two seasons (34).
It's a huge void to fill for the champions, but Rooney is confident, with a little help, he can fire United to more glory in the coming season.
"We've lost two key players and obviously I hope we can get a few players in," Rooney told The Times. "Between them Cristiano and Carlos scored a lot of goals for us last season and the season before, but I would like to think I'm capable of filling that gap.
"I've said before that, if I can play in my right position, I'm capable of doing that.
"I want to play in the position where I feel I'm best.
"A lot of people think I'm best as a centre forward. To play in a Champions League final and to play week in, week out for Manchester United is a privilege and it's something I'm very lucky to be doing, but I don't think playing on the wing I can express myself as much as I like to."
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Target list shortening? Huntelaar dilemma for Ferguson...
With reports claiming Benzema could be sold to a rival and a lack of obvious transfer targets and fierce competition for signatures, Ferguson's list of potential summer signings could well be shortening.
In the wake of Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid, it would appear the last thing United need right now is another slow forward. The previous summer Ferguson signed Berbatov, as skilful as he is, his lack of pace is a rather obvious weakness. The champions have just sold one of the strongest runners with the ball in the game, conventional logic dictates that in a bid to retain a measure of continuity it is of paramount importance that Ferguson finds a striker with similar strong running qualities coupled with goal-scoring ability to augment his severly depleted strike-force.
As the search for potential replacements goes on, United supporters' attention has naturally been firmly focused on who will replace the World Player of The Year, the name of Huntelaar has been cropping up in reports linking him with a move to United, after just one season in Spain we are told the former Ajax striker is up for sale, which could be viewed as damning if it were not for the fact that reports also claim Florentino Perez has thrown a hissy-fit when sanctioning the sale of Madrid's Dutch contingent en block.
Like his team-mate Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Huntelaar isn't blessed with pace, but his goal-scoring record is pretty impressive, however, unlike his fellow countryman most of his goals were plundered in the relatively poor Dutch league. Hutelaar's goals-scoring record in the Champions League and on the international stage isn't anything to shout about, he's not a regular starter for the Netherlands.
On the fact it, despite his goal-scoring record in the Netherlands it would appear Huntelaar is not the right option for Ferguson right now, not when you factor in Berbatov and his lack of pace.
If Fergie makes a move for Huntelaar, despite whatever reasons the manager gives it will be the wrong move from a squad point of view. Fergie could play Berbatov and Huntelaar in the same starting eleven, but the lack of pace would make it easier for opposition managers' to plot against United from a tactical perspective.
Quite who will score the goals this coming season for United is a good question to ask, at this juncture we are no nearer answering that question, but it is one that many fans will be asking for the remainder of the summer.
At this moment in time Ferguson and United stand accused of failing to plan ahead in the event of Ronaldo and Tevez leaving. The latter was wholly avoidable – but the fans accept Ronaldo's move was inevitable. Failure to plan and act decisively could well cost United very dearly this coming season.
In the wake of Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid, it would appear the last thing United need right now is another slow forward. The previous summer Ferguson signed Berbatov, as skilful as he is, his lack of pace is a rather obvious weakness. The champions have just sold one of the strongest runners with the ball in the game, conventional logic dictates that in a bid to retain a measure of continuity it is of paramount importance that Ferguson finds a striker with similar strong running qualities coupled with goal-scoring ability to augment his severly depleted strike-force.
As the search for potential replacements goes on, United supporters' attention has naturally been firmly focused on who will replace the World Player of The Year, the name of Huntelaar has been cropping up in reports linking him with a move to United, after just one season in Spain we are told the former Ajax striker is up for sale, which could be viewed as damning if it were not for the fact that reports also claim Florentino Perez has thrown a hissy-fit when sanctioning the sale of Madrid's Dutch contingent en block.
Like his team-mate Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Huntelaar isn't blessed with pace, but his goal-scoring record is pretty impressive, however, unlike his fellow countryman most of his goals were plundered in the relatively poor Dutch league. Hutelaar's goals-scoring record in the Champions League and on the international stage isn't anything to shout about, he's not a regular starter for the Netherlands.
On the fact it, despite his goal-scoring record in the Netherlands it would appear Huntelaar is not the right option for Ferguson right now, not when you factor in Berbatov and his lack of pace.
If Fergie makes a move for Huntelaar, despite whatever reasons the manager gives it will be the wrong move from a squad point of view. Fergie could play Berbatov and Huntelaar in the same starting eleven, but the lack of pace would make it easier for opposition managers' to plot against United from a tactical perspective.
Quite who will score the goals this coming season for United is a good question to ask, at this juncture we are no nearer answering that question, but it is one that many fans will be asking for the remainder of the summer.
At this moment in time Ferguson and United stand accused of failing to plan ahead in the event of Ronaldo and Tevez leaving. The latter was wholly avoidable – but the fans accept Ronaldo's move was inevitable. Failure to plan and act decisively could well cost United very dearly this coming season.
Arsenal set to sign Benzema ahead of United?
According to today's News of The World Arsenal are about to scupper United's bid to sign Benzema from Lyon. Question: would Arsene Wenger pay £35m for one player? I personally doubt it, but there's also talk of the Gunners' having first refusal on the Frenchman.
Despite the latest claims I cannot see United being outbid by Arsenal on this occasion, however, the player might prefer London over Manchester, there's also the rather obvious French connection and so we cannot dismiss this story out of hand. As ever on such occasions there's no direct quotes - so watch this space for further developments...
On a separate note, Scott over at Republik of Mancunia is running a summer competition...in between scanning all news sources for updates on transfers you might want to trundle over for a look-see..
ROM Summer Competition
Despite the latest claims I cannot see United being outbid by Arsenal on this occasion, however, the player might prefer London over Manchester, there's also the rather obvious French connection and so we cannot dismiss this story out of hand. As ever on such occasions there's no direct quotes - so watch this space for further developments...
On a separate note, Scott over at Republik of Mancunia is running a summer competition...in between scanning all news sources for updates on transfers you might want to trundle over for a look-see..
ROM Summer Competition
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Douglas trial offer knocked back
United's early efforts to replace Cristiano Ronaldo have hit the buffers after Brazilian outfit Gremio refused to allow Douglas Costa a trial period at Old Trafford.
Costa, recently dubbed the new Ronaldo in some of the tabloids, was invited for a 20-day trial at Carrington so that Sir Alex Ferguson could run the rule over the slightly built 18-year-old. However that idea has been met with contempt by his club, who believe the Brazil youth starlet has nothing to prove. Their president Duda Kroeff said: "We have said to them [Manchester United] that this will not happen.
"Douglas is not at the stage where he would go through such a situation."
Douglas along with Santos winger Neymar and Palmeiras striker Keirrison have been tracked by several of Europe's top clubs over the last 12 months and the starlet is believed to have a 21 million euro buyout clause lodged in his contract which runs until 2013.
The attacking midfielder, who can also play on the left, has played less than 20 first-team games for Gremio, but he did star for Brazil at the South American Under-20 Youth Championships in January and finished the tournament as Brazil’s second top goal scorer with three goals.
His agent Cesar Bottega, who is no doubt rubbing his hands together at the prospect of his client being touted around Europe's big guns, is unsure whether United will be willing to match Gremio's buyout clause for a player, who scored on his first-team debut last season.
However Inter Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid are also interested in Douglas, whose club are currently playing him in the reserves so as not to burn the youngster out.
Costa, recently dubbed the new Ronaldo in some of the tabloids, was invited for a 20-day trial at Carrington so that Sir Alex Ferguson could run the rule over the slightly built 18-year-old. However that idea has been met with contempt by his club, who believe the Brazil youth starlet has nothing to prove. Their president Duda Kroeff said: "We have said to them [Manchester United] that this will not happen.
"Douglas is not at the stage where he would go through such a situation."
Douglas along with Santos winger Neymar and Palmeiras striker Keirrison have been tracked by several of Europe's top clubs over the last 12 months and the starlet is believed to have a 21 million euro buyout clause lodged in his contract which runs until 2013.
The attacking midfielder, who can also play on the left, has played less than 20 first-team games for Gremio, but he did star for Brazil at the South American Under-20 Youth Championships in January and finished the tournament as Brazil’s second top goal scorer with three goals.
His agent Cesar Bottega, who is no doubt rubbing his hands together at the prospect of his client being touted around Europe's big guns, is unsure whether United will be willing to match Gremio's buyout clause for a player, who scored on his first-team debut last season.
However Inter Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid are also interested in Douglas, whose club are currently playing him in the reserves so as not to burn the youngster out.
Wigan trying it on over Valencia fee?
Let's get one thing straight, it is highly unlikely that Real Madrid want Atonio Valencia; if they did, they'd have signed him already. The fact that the press are reporting United and the Spanish club are "vying" for the Ecuadorian’s services is ridiculous.
Real Madrid are going to sign Frank Ribery, they have already signed Ronaldo and Kaka - and quite probably David Villa too. The stories linking Valencia to Real are not quite in the realms of Gary Breen to Barcelona - which has to go down as arguably the most far-fetched rumour of the last decade, but it is silly nonetheless.
Wigan signed Valencia for an undisclosed fee, so if United make them a reasonable offer then they should accept it because frankly no other leading Premier League club appears to want him.
We all have our own opinions of relative worth and the views that I have personally canvassed suggest a fee of around £6m-£8m would be fair. United being United will eventually probably agree to pay three times that, but should they? Personally I'd call Wigan's bluff and give them a take-it or leave-it over.
Valencia will not provide an answer to United's goal scoring problems this coming season, he is unproven at the very highest level, signing him will be a gamble - the last thing we need is another Djemba-Djemba - the club has enough journeymen players' at it is.
United should only be shelling out big money for those who the manager believes will definitely improve the quality of the squad; the jury is very much out on Valencia.
Last week in the wake of the stories linking United to stars like Ribery and David Villa I posted that the club should forget about these two players' and concentrate on finding the next Ronaldo or David Beckam. One week later and United are indeed being linked to the next Ronaldo in the form of Gremio's Douglas Costa - that is the way forward for the champions.
Costa could arguably be more of a gamble than Valencia, given the language barrier and his age, added to which the Premier League is quite physical, however, reports suggest he could go on to be a truly great player, no one is saying that about Valencia apart from those who are looking to sell him.
Real Madrid are going to sign Frank Ribery, they have already signed Ronaldo and Kaka - and quite probably David Villa too. The stories linking Valencia to Real are not quite in the realms of Gary Breen to Barcelona - which has to go down as arguably the most far-fetched rumour of the last decade, but it is silly nonetheless.
Wigan signed Valencia for an undisclosed fee, so if United make them a reasonable offer then they should accept it because frankly no other leading Premier League club appears to want him.
We all have our own opinions of relative worth and the views that I have personally canvassed suggest a fee of around £6m-£8m would be fair. United being United will eventually probably agree to pay three times that, but should they? Personally I'd call Wigan's bluff and give them a take-it or leave-it over.
Valencia will not provide an answer to United's goal scoring problems this coming season, he is unproven at the very highest level, signing him will be a gamble - the last thing we need is another Djemba-Djemba - the club has enough journeymen players' at it is.
United should only be shelling out big money for those who the manager believes will definitely improve the quality of the squad; the jury is very much out on Valencia.
Last week in the wake of the stories linking United to stars like Ribery and David Villa I posted that the club should forget about these two players' and concentrate on finding the next Ronaldo or David Beckam. One week later and United are indeed being linked to the next Ronaldo in the form of Gremio's Douglas Costa - that is the way forward for the champions.
Costa could arguably be more of a gamble than Valencia, given the language barrier and his age, added to which the Premier League is quite physical, however, reports suggest he could go on to be a truly great player, no one is saying that about Valencia apart from those who are looking to sell him.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
He will Costa lot but Douglas looks like the man to replace Ronaldo...
IT has so far been a hugely frustrating summer for United fans who have seen Ronaldo and then Tevez heading for the Old Trafford exit door, many names have been linked to the club as potential replacements but none of them have set pulses racing, that was until now because the champions are being strongly linked to Gremio's diminutive midfield star Douglas Costa.
According to reports, United have been monitoring Costa for 12 months and were urged to sign him last summer. If Fergie decides to make a move for the Brazilian any deal will be subject to obtaining a work permit for the 18-year-old, the transfer fee could be as much as £21m.
While Costa looks like a really skilful player who will no doubt do very well should United conclude a deal to bring him to Old Trafford, the question of who will score the goals next season remains a big one. Lyon's Benzema has reiterated his desire to stay in France for a further 12 months, but money talks and so we shouldn't rule out another potentially decent signing. It is worth pointing out that Benzema only scored 17 goals last season, that's just two more than Carlos Tevez, but unlike the Argentine he was his club's first-choice striker.
According to reports, United have been monitoring Costa for 12 months and were urged to sign him last summer. If Fergie decides to make a move for the Brazilian any deal will be subject to obtaining a work permit for the 18-year-old, the transfer fee could be as much as £21m.
While Costa looks like a really skilful player who will no doubt do very well should United conclude a deal to bring him to Old Trafford, the question of who will score the goals next season remains a big one. Lyon's Benzema has reiterated his desire to stay in France for a further 12 months, but money talks and so we shouldn't rule out another potentially decent signing. It is worth pointing out that Benzema only scored 17 goals last season, that's just two more than Carlos Tevez, but unlike the Argentine he was his club's first-choice striker.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Tevez "refused" more time to think about United offer...
Carlos Tevez will not be wearing the red shirt of Manchester United next season; instead he will more than likely be playing for rivals Manchester City or Chelsea.
Speaking live on Sky Sports News Kia Joorabchian confirmed that talks between United and the player's advisors' ended on Friday night after it emerged that the Argentine wanted more time to think about his future and United's offer of a five year contract.
Kia Joorabchian said that in the end the two parties agreed not further talks and that the deal collapsed by mutual consent. Joorabchian also hinted that Tevez may well feel aggrieved at his treatment given the club has had two years to secure the player's long term future.
Clearly United are in a hurry to sort out the squad for next season but fans will want to know why the club couldn't have made their offer to the player earlier. United are now looking to sign not one but two world-class strikers, which is going to be very expensive indeed.
Questions should be asked of David Gill regarding his future if United do not fill the void left by Ronaldo and Tevez. The fans accept losing Ronaldo was unavoidable but there's no excuse concerning the Argentine.
Speaking live on Sky Sports News Kia Joorabchian confirmed that talks between United and the player's advisors' ended on Friday night after it emerged that the Argentine wanted more time to think about his future and United's offer of a five year contract.
Kia Joorabchian said that in the end the two parties agreed not further talks and that the deal collapsed by mutual consent. Joorabchian also hinted that Tevez may well feel aggrieved at his treatment given the club has had two years to secure the player's long term future.
Clearly United are in a hurry to sort out the squad for next season but fans will want to know why the club couldn't have made their offer to the player earlier. United are now looking to sign not one but two world-class strikers, which is going to be very expensive indeed.
Questions should be asked of David Gill regarding his future if United do not fill the void left by Ronaldo and Tevez. The fans accept losing Ronaldo was unavoidable but there's no excuse concerning the Argentine.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
