And dan, thanks for the positive feedback….I think. Just remember that whether we agree or not, I respect your point of view. I hope you can return the sentiment. As for Alves, I think he would be a great fit but I still prefer Huntelaar. I think my dream of seeing big Klaas in Man Utd red is a pipe dream now that fucking Chelski has their scent on him. With Henk Ten Cate going to Chelski, and Drogba and Shevchenko probably leaving, I think Huntelaar will be theirs. Therefore, Alves is a great plan B. Berbatov is good too but I don’t see the prolific goal scoring potential from him as I see from Alves.

Finally JB, Thanks for the link. I do see your point and I’m not really in any disagreement. As great as Riquelme is, he is moody, somewhat selfish, and slow of pace to be really dynamic with United. If United wanted to play the same pedestrian, slow, patient style they did in their first 6 matches, then he would fit in. But in their last 3 matches they have picked up the pace and are looking like United of old. That run-n-gun style does not suit the slower and more methodical Riquelme. It’s just the guy really has incredible vision and skill. His passing is just sublime. For me he is tied with Lio Mesi as the best player in the world. The other problem is that he is around 30 years old. Too old to make the difference.

One last note. Watching Franck Ribery play for Bayern makes me wonder why we never tried harder to get him. He can play anywhere in the midfield and his pace and skill on the ball is totally world class. This may be blasphemy but Ribery has more moves and tricks than even Ronaldo. His only short coming is he’s not the finisher that Ronaldo is. He’s presently just ripping apart Bundesliga defense with ease. I’m pretty sure he would have a harder time in the Prem but still, he is fantastic nonetheless.

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/01/22/the_end_is_nigh_for_a_player_u.html

Now there is a very good chance that United will not go out and get either Huntelaar or Berbatov if Tevez continues his fine form and growing familiarity with the style we play and the players we use. If by season’s end he has netted over 15 goals, I think that United will go for a cheaper but reliable striker for backup purposes. This would rule out the big two as they would want assurances of first eleven selection.

What United need to address most is getting rid of Saha, and finding an attacking central midfielder (just in case Anderson isn’t going to be ready as soon as we hope) and a backup at left back. Barring further injury I think Neville still has a season or two left in him and I want to see more of Pique at the right back position. Although, I think United should closely monitor the contract negotiations at Man City regarding Richards. I also think that United will sign the midfielder Veloso from Sporting.

The player I most covet and pray for his arrival at Old Trafford is Riquelme. That will probably never happen as he is not known for his pace. Then again if anyone can make the telling and penetrating pass to crack open stubborn defenses it his him. With him we could score at a prolific rate even without that central strike we are all hoping for. The guy should have won World Player of the Year instead of Kaka. His work for Boca and Argentina was epic this past season. Why this man is being mistreated in Spain is beyond me.

Finally, if I was Fergie I’d take a closer look at this Alves kid in Holland. Leading scorer in Holland last year and seven goals in one game this year merits some attention.