May 30
Heinze and Huntelaar - A Look at the Two H’s
These are two players in the news these days that have transfer rumours concerning United. Both of them have been under long time speculation. One is linked with a move away and one is linked with a move to United.
Let’s take a look at the players and how likely their departures/arrivals may be to United.
We have talked about Gabriel Heinze plenty of times, on him staying at United next season. But these reports wont ever go away, will they? Well, we are not his spokespeople so we’ll have to bear with them.
It wasn’t quite as worrying when the Sun ‘broke’ the news, TribalFootball followed suit and a host of other football blogs followed suit posting the same stuff verbatim. But then The Guardian also joined in the fun. I had some respect in the past for the Guardian. They do have some good writers, mind you. But recently they seem to be dropping down in standards more noticeably, so I regard their news with some reservations. I don’t trash them totally. But I might if the shit becomes more frequent and difficult to filter out.
Anyway, back to the Heinze gossip, his presence in Madrid makes things difficult to say at the moment. I had thought, with all the team bonding going on during goal celebrations, title winning celebrations and many more, that a character as tough as the Argentine might give another season in United a go. A season where he would start fully fit after a refreshing break. (depending on the workload at Copa America) An injury ridden season, and Evra’s form reduced his playing time to a stop-start level early on. You see, one needs to be playing week-in week-out for a certain period of time to accurately assess his performances. Something we couldn’t get out of him in the early half of the season. In the later half, I agree he made certain high profile mistakes, but I believe that to be a loss of form rather than a drop in class. (I am tempted to quote that “Form is temporary, class is permanent” cliche here). An in-form Heinze is a bloody good player, something other big clubs also realize, with all the rumors linking him.
I would like him to stay in the club for another season to see if he returns to his old no-nonsense style. More than anything, it will be fair to the player. Evra may have had his times, but Heinze’s defensive strength is a far greater asset on the European stage - especially when Sir Alex says that he intends to get back to winning in Europe pretty soon; and given that SAF is not going to stay on for too long, it could be very soon.
And I am not even touching on other things such as Fergie giving him the captain’s arm band and Ronaldo’s friendship with Heinze. (It’s not just Ronnie who’s good friends with him, I assure you.)
About the other chap, whatsisname? Ah, yes. Huntelaar! The rumours seem to come and go. He seemed a great prospect in the 2005/06 season when he won the European golden boot, scoring goals left, right and centre. Now who doesn’t look good when he scores goals? Kezman looked good too didn’t he, crazy hair notwithstanding? In fact he did well in two seasons. I saw Huntelaar play in the U-21 Euro Championships where he was extremely impressive. He is a terrific finisher. Give him a whiff of the ball and he will score, in the mould of Ruud. But this season has been subdued by the high standards that he set earlier.
The problem with him is that he seems to lack strength. How he will cope with the Premiership’s centre backs would be a major challenge. Another flaw is his lack of movement. He can go anonymous for long periods of the game. In a fluid United attack, the one that played this title-winning season, the involvement of the striker in the build up is of prime importance. In that kind of system you need the striker to contribute in one-twos and holding up the ball at times. Not just for the final touch into goal. Otherwise, the Premiership’s defenders would not be troubled in the slightest bit to be able to mark him and play him out of the game.
It all remains to be seen, how true the Huntelaar rumours are. I would look for a more proven striker instead of getting him. Otherwise, we might be better off blooding Rossi in.
Related items from Red Rants:- Heinze Rumours (Again) and Foster’s Injury
- The Official Word on Heinze | Rooting for Real
- Heinze loses arbitration for Liverpool move, what’s next for him and United?
- Heinze Set to Leave OT
- Decision To Be Made On Heinze… Today!
Tags: Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours · Manchester United Players
May 30th, 2007 at 7:51
I think the Heinze rumours are probably true, although Im not sure why he’s so desperate to leave. Last year he was injured, and was given a run in the team towards the end of the season despite making quite a few mistakes.
May 30th, 2007 at 9:20
I am all for Rossi and for the 3 Rs next season.
May 30th, 2007 at 13:11
Rach - mistakes as in leaving his left-back post and camping in the opposition half and thus putting Vidic under pressure?
Mistakes as in failing to cut off the striker and instead colliding with his centre-back?
Ok, I agree, Heinze has made mistakes, but tell me something, which player doesn’t? Overall Heinze has had an ‘average’ season, and we’re still expecting him to do what he can’t - be a good central defender. He’s like Gary Neville - he just needs to be a bit taller.
And mind you, the Heinze rumours are all made by the press, nothing has been said by Heinze or his agent or anyone in contact with them. He isn’t going anywhere yet.
May 30th, 2007 at 14:13
I hope Heinz e is not going any where. I believe he is class. As for Huntelaar he isn’t goo enough. To put it simply. For a striker to play for us now they either have to be as good as Saha or far better. Huntelaar is neither.
May 30th, 2007 at 14:50
Heinze’s problem is whether he is happy being a squad player and granted getting a good run if he is good/Evra is poor for a period. I think his friendship with Ronaldo could be a good make-weight in us keeping him.
With regards to him being in Madrid - two points; 1) Firstly has anyone seen him there or is this just speculation. 2) If you were him would you holiday in Madrid or do we begrudge him that and want him in Skeggy for the summer.
May 30th, 2007 at 14:51
PS. Copa America is not a problem (close season), African Nations Cup (mid-season) is - ask Jose and Arsene - Drogba, Mikel, Toure, Eboue, Adebayour, etc.
May 30th, 2007 at 16:05
sungiman, the three r’s is my trademark :P, we do not need a striker, we just need a right/left back as cover to evra and neville, when they are tired/suspended/injured, heinze can leave, is he does not want to be at united, then why should we make him stayt, he has no pace left since his injury, he gives away needless fouls, and was made ordinary by oddo in the champions league semi final, remeber it was heinzes mistake that gifted ac their second goal, heinze can leave, but with bale go that leaves our option few and far betweeen,
i would not mind dani alves coming to united, he plays as both a right back and winger, very versitile and is a great player, look at him in the fa cup
May 31st, 2007 at 9:32
Really hope that Heinze does not leave united, especially for Madrid…they already plucked RVN and Becks from us, not another quality player; if this trend doesn’t stop, it could lead to more united “player”s going in that particularly direction in the future as well. If he does leave, the future is in his own hands, it wouldn’t be fair if we criticized him. He’s served us well from day one and whatever he decides, he is entitled to it.
If it is true Silvestre wants to stay, left back is not so bad considering he’s still a skillful defender and more importantly, has invaluable experience on all levels. I think most tops teams would be satisfied with a Evra-Silvestre left-back combination. However, I still do not want Heinze to go…he’s such a likeable player/person and his commitment and passion for the game is second to none. I think you made a real good point about the fact that form is temporary, class is permanent….with a fully healthy and fit Gaby, our entire defence is not only technically sound but has the tenacity that would put fear into any opposing attacker.
It is hard to say whether Heinze is better than Evra…each has their own special qualities, but having both will really bode us well. We can use them interchangeably for different purposes. Evra is still young and has time, so I do not think he would mind being a squad player for a year or so. Heinze is a warrior and I’m sure he would relish a challenge. Players of his type do not run away when they are down, they keep on trying and when chances come, they will surely make the most of it. If Heinze leaves Manchester for pastures new, it would not be as simple as lack of first-team play (because that can be changed), but more likely personal reasons such as fulfilling a childhood dream of playing for a particular team or something. I just don’t see Heinze leaving because of money, climate, or fear of not playing regularly (no player on ANY team is GUARANTEED a place if they don’t prove themselves worthy). Anyways, that’s just my opinion.
Thanks for the time…and great article.
June 1st, 2007 at 21:07
oh i forgot, news about rafael and fabio http://www.soccerpulse.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=119206&hl=Rafael enjoy
June 7th, 2007 at 2:57
[…] know what yours truly thinks about Heinze and his role in the team. Those not aware can read up over here to refresh themselves. Our other writer Ahmed, has also made good arguments on the Heinze […]