Jul 22
Can Nick Powell be the Central Midfielder United fans Crave?
When Nick Powell put pen to paper and signed for Manchester United, many were puzzled by Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to invest on an unproven, albeit highly talented, youngster rather than splashing the cash on a central midfielder of proven quality.
The jury is and will be out for some time but the former Crewe player won’t be fazed one bit by it, as he prepares to make the huge leap from League Two to the Premier League and the Champions League.
Powell joined Crewe’s academy as a five-year old and developed into one of the most promising young midfielders in the country, making his full debut in 2010, when he was only 16.
The 2011-12 season saw Powell burst onto the scene at Crewe, as he scored his first senior goal and picked up the Football League’s Young Player of the Month Award for December before becoming the first player in Crewe’s history to complete a clean sweep at the end of the season awards ceremony, by winning the Goal of the Season, Young Player of the Year and Player of the Year Awards.
The youngster capped a marvellous season by scoring in the League Two Playoff Final before being snapped by United in a deal that could be worth up to £6m depending on appearances.
While Powell won’t be expected to take the reins of United’s midfield just yet, Ferguson claimed that the youngster could “walk into the team”, such is his talent and ability on the ball.
Considering how United’s policy in the transfer window has panned out lately, with the club pursuing Arsenal want-away striker Robin Van Persie rather than a much-needed central midfielder, it is not unreasonable to foresee Powell getting a good number of games under his belt in his first season at Old Trafford.
League Two is arguably harder than the Premier League in terms of how much players are protected by the referees, as challenges that go unpunished in lower leagues would earn a week-long debate on Match of the Day if they were to happen in the top flight, but even so Nick Powell will have to be ready for a physical challenge from August onwards as the pace and fitness level of the Premier League can leave exposed even the most prepared of players.
At 18 Powell is still developing, not just as a footballer but also as a man and he’ll need to bulk up quickly to bear the physical impact of the Premier League and he could do worse things than include Maxiraw Protein Powder in his diet.
Maxiraw Protein Powder will allow Powell a quick recovery game after game, as he’ll try to find his feet alongside Paul Scholes in his quest to become the heartbeat of United’s midfield.
Dan
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What the hell is that last adverstising bit… can’t decide if it’s a joke or money-making deal for RedRants???
I guess, it’s a joke then
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@Opti:
first thing that struck me as well – is that advertising or actual supplement used by United?
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@Opti: yeah WTF?
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what happened to our over-27 policy? (sorry, talking about RVP here)
I’m excited to see Powell develop for us. He’s shined brightly in patches so far in the preseason, and i’m hoping it much closer to a cleverly shine than an obertan shine
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we hope he can do it in united. It’s uor prayer to see do good in united shirt. I which u the best of luck
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We give youngsters a chance and Powell is a big talent. I think he can surprise people next season and would boost the squad alongside Cleverley.
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I think what we really want is a defensive midfielder. Someone who would stop our midfield from being overrun and putting alot of pressure on out of defense. As with any player, I am willing to give Powell a chance rather than slate him. He won’t become a destroyer but if he is able to show signs of feeling Scholesy’s boot then it will be a worthy investment but in this modern game, we seem to lack balance in central midfield
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@Nde Simon: Like Javier Martinez who could cost around 32 million euros that united have seemingly offered and apparently accepted, for Lucas Moura
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Pls, man utd shuld sign lucas moura. He is very good and he will fit in the EPL very well.
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Lucas Moura signed for 26 million… if true, I will be like this:
If not, I will be like this:
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Last summer it was Cleverley, this time it’s Powell…Without doubting the potential of these fellows, Utd require world-class players to compete here and now with the likes of City and Chelsea, never mind Braca or Real et el. These young guys may be good but we need the best and ready to fire. Now we have damp squibb.
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I see that Arsenal are top of the league before the season has even begun, tossers.
Got big hopes for Powell mind, can see him getting 20 plus appearances…
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Rumor: We have agreed a 26mil deal for Lucas Moura!
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Lucas isn’t my first choice. With Powell and Cleverly we already have young midfielders with “potential”. And from what I hear we don’t save an awful lot on wages by buying this guy. Yes he could be the next Ronaldinho but then he could also be the next Denilson (the guy who transferred to Real Betis not the Arsenal guy!). It just seems far too big a risk to take when we are supposedly short on funds.
If we insist on paying that sort of money for a player at least sign someone like Javi Martinez or Joao Moutinho who has shown that they can play well in Europe
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Where have all the rumors on Christian Erikson gone? Just last week he was on his way to OT. If he is available, why isint he on Fergie’s radar???? And who the hell is this Moura? The next Anderson???
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If this Lucas issue is nearly a done deal, I’ll be very disappointed. What for? Without doubt this means Nani goes, otherwise we can’t sustain that many attackers. I’ve never seen this kid,but if the figures being quoted have any substance, then football has truly and officially gone to the dogs. Nani has been at United for 5 seasons and has largely done well whilst Lucas has talent(he better) but could simply fail to adapt. Not a very necessary gamble.
But that’s beside the point. We now have serious firepower. Rooney is 30 goals, Welbeck 15 or more, Kagawa probably 10. Then combine Nani, Valencia, Young and Chicharito for 30 goals easily. Then the odd midfield and defence goals, that’s close to 100 goals. I’m talking potential here of course,but it’s abundantly clear we don’t lack upfront. Creative players,Rooney, Nani, Kagawa, Young, Valencia. All these guys create chances. Even a fool knows our problem is we lack depth in the middle. In plain English, if Carrick is not available, we’re screwed. Powell, I don’t know what role he plays, but if he’s meant to be Carrick’s cover, that’s irresponsible management. From League Two to Champions League there’s a galaxy known as Experience,in which you find planets like Confidence, Composure and creatures like Sergio Busquets,Robben and Sergio Ramos,which specialise in the science of Advanced Theatrics. We need someone who has traveled that road. I’m thinking the obvious names, Moutinho,De Rossi, Schweinsteiger,Diarra. Not Lucas, RVP or Lewandoski.
Who knows,maybe Anderson will indeed step it up and become a consistent CMF. We’re obviously hoping for an unnecessary miracle there. Maybe Cleverly will come good real fast,but I was not happy with their combo last season due to its unbalanced nature. What I do know however is Ferguson definitely believes he has a full compliment in midfield and I don’t agree
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I can’t agree more. But my biggest fear is what should normally be a great advantage. We now have almost zero specialist players. Nearly all our players, particularly the ones we’ve been acquiring over the last few years,can play at least 3 different roles. That’s dangerous given the crazy technical team we have. I can almost guarantee Kagawa will play different roles every game. Apparently this Lucas kid can play across the attack but is best from the right. Last season we saw central midfield occupied by names like Fabio,Park, Rooney, Valencia. I can only imagine the wonders that await next season. And the worst thing is, next season is going to be extra hard. The technical standard of the game has gone way beyond our standard.
Judging from the Euros,CL football is going to be really tough. Weak defences will be thoroughly exposed. We have able individual defenders but our organisation is the worst in Europe,particularly due to the less than complimentary tactics in midfield. Our pressing is poor, our movement is too rigid and all over the place. We need another Carrick and another Scholes. Preferably specialist deep lying midfielders,with good passing range and discipline. Was thoroughly impressed by Moutinho and Miguel Veloso’s beautiful and sensible partnership. We need something like that.
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Response to Colver. This reply button don’t work
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Transfer window has shut so we’re looking at a CM combo of Scholes/Cleverley. Carrick/Cleverley. Scholes/Anderson. Carrick/Anderson. Powell/Cleverley. Anderson/Cleverley. Powell/Anderson.
God help us!
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Powell could definitely be the answer, but has to bedded in slowly. Powell should play alongside Scholes or Carrick because he needs experience alongside him. Same with Cleverley. Maybe in the league cup, Powell can play with Cleverley but in the Premier league, no way. At the moment my best 11 when all fit would be:
Lindegard
Rafael
Vidic
Rio
Buttner
Scholes
Cleverley
Valencia
Rooney
Kagawa
Van Persie
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