Aug 23
United On The Brink Of Greatness, Again
Watching Manchester United over the past 2 weeks has been frustrating yet at the same time highly exhilarating. Indeed our great club may have not got the start we wanted.
Two draws and a defeat. But who would have thought we would be defeated while playing with such style?
There have been reasons bandied about as to why United has started poorly. The clueless critics say it’s because the entire team has no depth. Others claim it was because of the so called “poor pre-season” (i.e the trip to Asia). Some have put it merely down to our injuries. But in truth there have only been 2 reasons.
Firstly, United’s injury/absentee list is long. From this list, one can see where most of United’s goals have gone. Ronaldo, Rooney, Solskjaer, Saha and Park - players who all got goals for United last term. In addition, Anderson, another attacking weapon has also been injured, further reducing United’s potential fire power. With this, coupled with the continued absence of the attacking outlet that is captain Gary Neville, one can begin to understand why United might not be scoring with the aplomb of last season.
However, when one looks at the amount of dominance and chances United have created over it’s last 3 games, one can’t help but think of there being a deeper reason.
Some have dismissed this to the panicking by fans who mention it. Others as being never satisfied and being “spoiled” by success. But the fact is, United are one striker short from being the perfect team. I will endeavour to explain:
SAF and his team took a calculated gamble when they sold both Smith and Rossi. They thought, by bringing in Tevez, he and Rooney would carry the striking burden of the team till the injury prone Saha and Solksjaer return to full fitness. This, however, was a mistake. One might say Rooney’s injury could not have been foreseen, but in truth, its adverse effect could have been guarded against.
A few seasons back, when a certain Ruud was still around, and Rooney was signed, Alan Smith was basically an insurance policy - to provide competition for our existing forwards and to ensure the club had enough strikers at all times. Even in the absence of long serving servant Solksjaer or any of the other strikers. So basically, United, from then on, went into corresponding seasons with five, proven, first team forwards on their books. (Even though they were not always employed that way!) That is why even last season, Larsson was brought in on loan, to beef up the forward line number. And upon his departure, Dong had already been recalled from Antwerp to keep the forward numbers up.
So it was a strange decision indeed when SAF and Co. decided to let both Smith and his potential replacement, Rossi, go, without bringing in a replacement. Especially with the strengthening, rivals like Liverpool and Chelsea had been doing. United actually weakened a department they were forced to beef up in mid-season last term.
One thing has been clear in recent weeks. United do miss Saha when he is not playing. Yet they have no like-for-like back up for him, whatsoever. But what they have missed more is having more than a striker in the match squads. It’s common knowledge that to win most games in the premiership one needs two strikers, due to the way weaker sides love to pack their 18 yard box, when playing big sides. Apart from raising their level of performance considerably. But United has not had the option of having two proven strikers in the team. Because there is still a hole in the squad left by Smith and Rossi’s absence.
But this is easily solvable.
All United need is another center forward. Of the Saha mould. Everyone can clearly remember how key Saha was for us in the first half of last season. He gave us that extra variety in our forward line that separated us from other exciting sides like Arsenal. Our attack always had a plan B to break down opponents. Right now, United have an opportunity to recreate the variety of the 1999 treble winning forward line, which was supplied by an amazing midfield. The variety that Cole, Yorke, Sheringham and Solskjaer was largely unmatched in Europe, and was one of the reasons United swept the board that year.
Now like in ‘99, United are in a similar situation. United then, had the midfield to die for but lacked one forward to make them complete. The signing of Yorke ensured that side became perfect. Now, like then, United are one forward away from greatness. In Tevez, Rooney and Saha United have a good strike force, with old head Ole as back up. But all that’s missing is a man to make Saha’s absences less felt. With a foward line they could mix and match at will to overcome any opponent at home or abroad.
Judging from the way United have played three Premiership games and totally dominated the opponents, it bodes well for the future. United are clearly not in top gear, yet. But you will be at pains to find a single team in recent Premiership history or before even to have totally dominated play in the manner the Reds’ midfield is doing now. This early in a season, when not in top gear, United are basically playing the best football in the league for my money. Thus, if they can sign before deadline day that one player who can make Saha’s absence less felt, and reduce the burden on Tevez’s shoulders, so that the superb Argentine can really settle into things at OT, United can then blast off like a rocket that can’t be stopped.
In my opinion, one Nicolas Anelka fits the bill perfectly. But whoever Fergie & Co. brings in WILL be good enough to do the job. The best we can do now is wait with bated breath. For, if it happens, and we add that one extra forward, the unstoppable all-conquering red storm shall surely begin.
Related items from Red Rants:- On Manchester United’s ‘Greatest Ever’ Squad
- Today’s Videos: Heinze’s Goal | Beckham Mania
- Who Should Be United’s Captain Next Season?
- No Fear For No One
- Pompey 1-1 Reds: So, Is It Time to Panic?
Tags: Opinions/Columns
August 23rd, 2007 at 10:48
Fabio Quagliarella!!! Fits the bill perfectly…. We should have snapped him up…
August 23rd, 2007 at 10:49
We should give Gibson a game or at least half an hour in the second half. Came on and did fantastically for Ireland - kid’s gonna go places.
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:19
In my opinion NIck. Anelka should be brought to show his wealth of experience he had in English football. you could remember that Anelka has a long standing stay in England playing at Arsenal and others.
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:59
Sorry, but I don’t agree on the point about Anelka. The man has a legendary reputation for being moody and disruptive - why do you think he’s moved on from some of the top clubs he’s been with?
He could well fill in admirably until both Rooney and Saha are back to peak fitness, but the man simply would not take kindly to being relegated to being 2nd choice reserve once Sir Alex’s preferred two-pronged attack of Tevez and Rooney is out on the paddock.
In that situation Anelka would revert to his famed sullen self and become dressing room poison, which Sir Alex wouldn’t stomach, particularly at a when we need everyone pulling together to get us out of the hole we’re currently in.
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:20
nice article bro but something we’ve been disscussion for far too long and i personally feel we had enough of it god i wait for this damn transfer window to shut down and we can get on with the game
This got me thinking abt the 99 final and something like that happens this year ole comes on as a sub and score the winning goal in the dying minutes mmmmm sweet
and yes fergies not getting any1 in dying mins it’ll be a black spot on his arrogance if he gets anyone coz then it’ll be his mistake in the first place to seel two strikers at bay.
August 23rd, 2007 at 14:32
1.I don’t think it’s easy to get a striker like Saha.
Anelka could be the answer, but will SAF choose a player who could be negative in the long term?
Not sure.
2.I agree we have a great striker force in Rooney, Tevez, Saha WHEN THEY ARE ALL FIT.
Problem is “Can we stay as top contenders until they come back?”
August 23rd, 2007 at 14:48
JK,the answer is no. Hence our need for one more character upfront. Rumour has it we’ve been offered Adriano. Now that would be interesting and totally out of the blue.
August 23rd, 2007 at 15:17
Keith, this is a brilliant article. The way you’ve written it makes me doubt wether we need a striker or nor (although I kinda still believe No).
My concern is just: What happens when everyone is fit?
I do agree however that another striker will add to the variety in attacking options.
August 23rd, 2007 at 15:33
yes yes! ANELKA FITS THE BILL PERFECTLY! world class striker, fast, skilful, deadly and very similar to Saha! Anelka and Saha could form a Yorke/Cole-esque partnership, like in ‘99, and the goals would flow from then on! we have the money now, what with the Heinze transfer sage solved and a cool £8m coming into our coffers, to buy Anelka. I would pay no more than £12m for him max, seeing as Bolton got him for £8m themselves.
August 23rd, 2007 at 16:11
I’d like United to have Berbatov!
August 23rd, 2007 at 16:31
Keith
Very interesting. Adriano is still not on form, but I read he has matured after having a child.
And started working on his form again. He’s only 25, if he has the right desire he can still
fulfill his potential.
August 23rd, 2007 at 16:56
we wuld be sik if we got adriano
unnnnnnbbbbbbeeeeeeeaaaaaaatttttttaaaaaaaaaaaabbbbbbbbbbllllllllleeeeeeeeeeeeeee
i telll ya
August 23rd, 2007 at 17:45
Good article. It got me thinking about the EPL highlights show I was watching over the weekend and some of the strikes that were being put on goal by other teams. It had me longing for an out-and-out striker a la Saha. Our play has been quite static near the box in my opinion. United work the ball up beautifully, but then the play stalls. Poor Tevez (and Ronnie for that matter) just gets mobbed on by 3 defenders at once, and if he wins the ball, he has no room to manuever and just puts a pass out of trouble. I agree he needs a strike partner.
One of the best advantages to having backs like Gary and Evra is the early cross into the area. Haven’t seen much of those early crosses come off very successfully so far this season. Because we don’t pose much of an aerial threat, our opponents are quite content to let us build up play in front of their ’stacked’ box.
To Karl:
I think we will be just fine with another striker on board. If we truly want to challenge for all of the silverware this year we will need a lot of options. I love Ole, and he did great for us last year. But he is getting on. I don’t think we can continue to rely on the Super-Sub to save us late in the game as much as last season. I’m not sure how many full 90’s he played, but there weren’t many. So that kind of leaves us with 3 other strikers (unless you count Dong and Frazier)that we can rely on to play full games. 2 of the three are still injured. Rooney imo won’t be firing on full until sometime December. And my feeling at this point is that Saha is good for 2 injuries a year. With that said I can see us incorporating another striker just fine. This all asumes we would be playing with two upfront. Just some thoughts…
August 23rd, 2007 at 17:51
INDIANPUNK
I’m afraid your evaluation and expectations of Ole are a little unrealistic and out of date. In 1999 he was the model of health and a far younger player in peak form. Now he is a slower, older and far to brittle reserve who spends all his time in the physio room. Saha although younger, is inconsistent and prone to moodiness which tends to make him invisible on and off the pitch. I’m still pissed at Fergie for choosing him over the world class Van Nistelrooy. United definitely need to get a striker and perhaps even two. A top line version like Berbatov or even Sulk and second level version for the sake of depth. Modern day footballers are not cut from the same cloth as the old timers I’m afraid. In the past you would have players wrap themselves up with all kinds of tape and bandages as they played with pain. Today, players are too soft and insurance contracts that clubs create for their protection stipulate using them in these poor states of health. John Terry is a throwback to the old time player who would play no matter what. United don’t have such players,and so we must always have depth at every position because playing in the Prem is tough business.
August 23rd, 2007 at 17:58
so tribalfootball says that utd have been offered adriano…
http://tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=53507
maybe on loan…mmmm.. but thats just me.
August 23rd, 2007 at 18:41
As far a it goes with United’s offensive tactics I agree with Rylie’s assessment of the situation. First off United have got to forget about playing only one striker up front with two wide midfielders playing like wingers. It works on the continent but not in the EPL unless those two can cross the ball like Beckham. Rylie is of the opinion that Neville and Evra are excellent crossers. I hate to burst your bubble mate, but they’re not. Too often their crosses are either too low or float to high. Giggs is very good at crossing and Ronaldo is adequate but it is clear United need someone who can cross the ball if we are to take advantage of height. As we have no height, lets not worry about playing with width. Lets go back to 4-4-2 and lets incorporate a Striker-second striker formation much like Germany use to success with Klose and Podolski. Rooney or Tevez will play the second striker Podolski role which looks very much to what they are doing currently. The other striker lives in the six yard box like van Nistelrooy and gets to crosses, loose balls and rebounds. He is a trash collector who will net 20 goals a season. Is everyone aware that Ruud has never scored a goal outside of the box in his career? Why? Because he plays deep inside the box trying to latch onto the ball. These type of strikers are throwbacks to the vintage classic style of striker like Gerd Muller, Ian Rush, Karl Heinz Rummenigge, Paolo Rossi, Rudi Voller, and Mario Kempes just to name a few. I’ve named several Germans only because Germany has mastered the art of the goal poaching striker (ie; Kuranyi goal vs England yesterday). They are quite often ugly goals but ask 1970 England and Gerd Muller if they count any less. I honestly cannot recall too many beautiful goals scored by van Nistelrooy. All I know is he would net over 30 a season in all competitions. Fergie has been corrupted by watching too much of the wizard like skills of players like Rooney, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaka and so he feels that pace and skill on the ball is everything. There are countless players available with skill on the ball and pace but how many times do you see them make a meal of a sure scoring opportunity? Quite often their finishing skills lag way behind their other footballing skills. United lack ability in crossing the ball and in finishing. Because they are so creative and skillful on the ball, they tend to create many more opportunities than their opposition and that alone explains why they scored so many goals last season. They will score again this season even if they do not make the changes I have suggested. The problem is that in big games and in must win contests, they cannot be counted on. A goal poacher adds that extra dimension they lack. Berbatov is a good goal scorer and I think he might fit the bill but the best one out there that could be available, if not now, at the end of the season is Klass Jan Huntelaar of Ajax. He would be the second coming of Ruud. I just wish Fergie could see that. That kind of striker is all we need. The crossing can be worked on in training. Lets start showing substance along with our style.
August 23rd, 2007 at 19:02
[Grognard]
For the sake of argument, I wasn’t aware of that fact: CLICK HERE PLEASE! the video tells me a different story
About beautiful goals, CLICK HERE PLEASE
RvN was a great finisher. The best goal scorer we had in recent times. But of late he became less mobile and our system relied heavily on goals from Ruud. If he didn’t play, we struggled to score. Of course, at the end of the day, it was a tiff between SAF and Ruud that did it for him.
August 23rd, 2007 at 19:35
I am reading more disturbing articles on line that have me wondering what the hell is going on at Old Trafford. Well if Rafa hasn’t learned his lesson from the Heinze affair yet, he is now preparing a bid for yet another United player who is out of the mix at the club. This time it’s Darren Fletcher. Apparently Fletcher is questioning his role at the club and feels he needs to go somewhere where his career can move forward. I agree with him. It just won’t be Liverfool. Fletcher has been caught behind a stacked group of midfielders who I am afraid to say, are better than Darren. Darren is no t a bad player and he belongs in the Prem as a starter. There are numerous teams that could use him but of course, that would not include the main three rivals. Whatever happens I wish him well as he was long and loyal servant to the club. He just better not start to act like Heinze in order to get his wish to move on. And to Rafa Benitez, piss of you fat pillock. What a tosser this guy is turning in to. You get the feeling he would prefer to manage United because he wants all our players. I would too if I was managing his overrated bunch of choirboys and puffers.
The second bit of news is the apparent interest in the up for sale Adriano. FERGIE, stay away from this lazy, overrated, moody and selfish primadona. He is past his prime not due to age but due to his lack of ambition, fitness and team first attitude. A player of that skill doesn’t sit on the bench of a team like Inter because he’s not good. He sits for all the reasons I’ve given. He’s a fat selfish git. Inter has been shopping this guy for two season’s now. Hell, I would take Anelka over this guy in a heartbeat. Don’t do it Fergie!
August 23rd, 2007 at 19:43
Red Ranter
I stand corrected on RVD not scoring outside of the 18 yard box. Yes he once scored a goal 18 and one half yards outside of the box. And people call me anal sometimes(JOKE!)?
Actually, I got that information from a broadcast in his final season with United. The commentator made that point. It may have happened just before he actually scored the goal you are referring to. Still, I think you get the jest of what I am talking about. RVN is a poacher, he isn’t Roberto Baggio or Wayne Rooney. I must say he did score an outstanding 15 yard volley this season for Real, which did surprise the hell out of me.
I do thank you for clearing that up for me.
August 23rd, 2007 at 19:57
As for his other goal you were kind enough to link to, many lesser talents have scored nice goals like that on counterattacks. He had space and he took advantage of it. For me only his placement of the ball was truly skillful. The rest was just terrible marking and defense by Fulham. Sorry.
Also, my comments are meant as a generalization about a players style or tendencies. That is not say that a goal poacher or garbage goal scorer isn’t capable of occasional moments of brilliance. My all time favorite player is Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. He scored many poacher style goals but he also scored some absolute stunners. My point is that Rooney and other United stars tend to score pretty goals. Shots from 30 yards, acute angles, over walls, and perfect lobs over goal keepers. RVN scored workman-like goals. They weren’t always pretty but you applauded him for his work rate and for being at the right place at the right time. Mind you he really benefited in the days when he had such perfect service from players like Becks. He wasn’t the greatest header in the world but quite often those crosses ended up at his feet or chest or in stride for him to tap in a goal. It was his frustration with Ronaldo’s inability and unwillingness to provide that kind of service that brought about his outcry and thus, his eventual departure from the club. All poachers need the proper kind of service or style of play that will maximize their opportunities. It doesn’t have to be crosses. Cutting through balls or lob passes like the ones Riquelme, Ronaldinho, Gerrard and oldies like Hoddle and Bergkamp were capable of providing are what is needed. Giggs and Scholes were once pretty good at it but I think father time has been knocking on their door.
August 23rd, 2007 at 20:09
We need 4 strikers we have 1 right now.saha will prob get injured.we need a striker! Brilliant article btw.right a few more!
August 23rd, 2007 at 20:11
I see your point grog.right now we have no clinical finisher.
August 23rd, 2007 at 21:50
I have felt it in my blood for months now that Anelka would be perfect for us, he is far to good a talent to be playing in a team whom I believe will be relegated this season plus reading his comments, he wants CLF, he is almost pleading to SAF to “come and get me”. If some reports are to be believed Saha will be playing on Sunday, and lets hope so, we need him! But hell, who wants to to be chewing their fingers down to the bone when he is tackled, hoping it does not side line him for another three months. We have eight days until the window closes, SAF has said that there will be no knee jerk reaction after the wastlands result but on Sunday but if the unimaginable happens then there is no doubt in my mind he will be forced to move into the transfer market and that player should be Anelka.
August 23rd, 2007 at 22:49
Good Lord, it’s true. Enough of this damned single striker nonsense. If Fergie doesn’t drop some of this Heinze money on a suitable replacement, we are going to be looking at a few more scoreless weeks. Even IF Saha does play this weekend (which frankly, is a disaster waiting to happen), he’s going to play like someone who has been injured for months. We’re getting down to the wire here. Sure, we’d all like Berbatov, but we aren’t going to get him. We’d like Anelka, but we probably aren’t going to get him. I completely agree that Adriano is an incredibly overrated player. I say we go after Martins. He’s cheap, got a super low release clause, and is someone who can help us develop an attack that is coming from somewhere other than the left wing. He’s fast, explosive, and he strikes the ball VERY well. He’s not tall, but we aren’t going to get very far with an aerial attack this year. The fact is that so far we spend 90% of the match watching Giggs and Evra send in dumpy, waist high, early crosses, and Nani kicking the ball several yards over our tallest player’s heads. Ronaldo’s service is at best, inconsistent. I don’t think looking for an aerial player is going to help, when we clearly don’t have any players that can provide any service for him. I’m saying that if we haven’t signed Berbatov by the 28th or 29th, Fergie would be a fool not to pick up Martins for 13M.
August 23rd, 2007 at 23:41
Greatness? Delusions of grandeur and whole lot of bollocks. God I hate the Mancs.
August 24th, 2007 at 0:23
id love to see someone like Anelka come in but i can’t help but feel that as soon as everyone is back from their suspensions and injuries that our squad will be too overcrowded. we’ll have to wait and see i guess.
August 24th, 2007 at 2:54
I never implied Evra or Neville were ‘excellent crossers’. I was only trying to make the point that we could be having more shots on goal if they had a target to at least attempt the early cross towards. Thus more options to help take the defenses focus off of the build up play and through ball that we seem to be stuck in at the moment.
BTW, I totally agree with Grognards assessment of Adriano.
August 24th, 2007 at 5:48
Excellent points made by Ian. Martens would be an inexpensive temporary fix that could turn out to be longterm if he really adapts well and performs. Saha is a fine porceline doll that will shatter the first time he is tackled. The man lacks a pair, plain and simple. Anelka has the talent but he brings with him baggage that both he and Sulk wannabe Saha can share. This team will have to adapt and play a fast but yet continental style because they just don’t have the crossers to make a difference using width. This si why I preferred Heinze to Evra before he turned traitor. So what if Evra has pace and overlaps. His service into the box is horrible. We need a player like Philip Lahm who has the ability to cross, but who also can cut in from either side and take a crack at goal. But we’ll never get him, so forget that fantasy. We will have to play that same cutsie style we have become used to but at least their is hope inside the box if we have a second striker. Martens has great agility and can make something out of half chances. His overhead kick the other week is perfect proof of his ambition in front of goal as well as his courage. He’s not timid to take a crack at goal. Yet when it’s all said and done I have this gut feeling that after we beat Spurs this weekend, Fergy in his fickle way will do nothing because buying a striker would force him to concede defeat with his present setup. If he does go for a striker though, I have a sneaky suspicion it will have a lot to do with what happens to Spurs on Sunday. If they lose big, Jol will probably either get the sack or a vote of confidence by having the ok to sell Berbatov to Man U. If they were to sack him now, who would be the candidates to replace him. Spurs aren’t a Minnow their not going to be interested in a Paul Jewel type. Therefore, it makes more sense to keep him and get rid of Berbatov so that there is harmony in the dressing room. Who knows? Just have a feeling it may happen.
August 24th, 2007 at 7:09
Get a life loser.
August 24th, 2007 at 11:32
“God I hate the Mancs”
… ME TOO !!!
Here our club spent the most money during the transfer season (’technically’ almost £80m), and all I hear is “we need to sign…”, “we need to sign…”, “we need to sign…”. I wish this stupid transfer season can now end.
Am I the only one that believe we have a superb squad that can effectively challenge on all 4 fronts?
I agree we need a great finnisher. The problem is, they don’t grow on trees. Espescially not the kind we need. For those who cannot see it, SAF and Queros have adopted a new playing style. They want to emulate the great dutch sides by perfecting ‘Total Football’. This is the reason why they got the players that they have. They realised that the ‘English’ way cannot cope in Europe. It’s also not as easy as ‘playing 442 in England, and playing 451 in Europe. The system needs to be perfected. RVN - who is undoubtedly one of the greatest finnishers in the world - admitted to this new United philosophy once. Unfortunately with all hisgoalscoring skill, he does not fit into the system. With this system, ALL players needs to rotate positions. (Anyone thought it funny that Rio roamed into the penalty area a couple of times while Giggs dropped way back to defence?). SAF was the one to ‘beg’ RVN to come to OT. If he thought that RVN would ‘add’ to the new dimensions of the team, he would have ‘begged’ him to stay (same as with Ronaldo). Now, if RVN did not fit in, what makes you guys believe that a ‘new version’ of RVN will fit in?
It was never RVN’s goal-poaching abilities that was in question (eveybody knows that whenhe did not play, our goals suddenly dried up at the time), but the ability of a ‘penalty area bound goal poacher’ in a new system of football.
Let’s trust in SAF’s decisions. He will do what’s best for the club. Remember, his hunger to make the club GREAT is most probably bigger than most of ours.