Apr 15
Rio Almost Signs - Can Fergie Make Him the Captain From Next Season?
There is no official confirmation from the horse’s mouth but Times Online, the Guardian and The Telegraph — all carry the story. It appears that it’s only a matter of time before Rio puts pen to paper and that the club is waiting for it to officially happen before announcing. While there hasn’t been any direct quotes, it looks like it will happen sooner rather than later.
Now we’ve had an outstanding season so far, by any yardstick. We have been among the most entertaining, destructive and versatile teams in Europe so far. But like with all teams we do have our chinks. One that sticks out is our lack of leadership on the pitch. Or let’s put it this way, I can’t entirely agree with Fergie’s choice of captain. While Gary Neville is a good choice and I would find it hard to dispute it, I can’t understand why Giggs would still be persisted with that role. Don’t get me wrong. I love Giggs to bits. Fergie, I’d imagine also loves and respects his seniority. But Giggs, the great player he’s been is not captaincy material by any distance. He’s too nice a guy — at least that’s how he appears to be.
Rio Ferdinand on the other hand has had to work his way into the hearts of the Old Trafford faithful. His protracted contract wrangle and his missed drugs test had a lot of fans questioning his price tag. This season (and to a lesser extent last season) he has been in the form of his life. But more importantly has shown the desire to win. He’s had minimal lapses in concentration, he’s always forced his mates to stay focused; a case in point being against Arsenal after Ronaldo’s goal.
He’s impressed me as a player, no doubt. But he’s done even better as captain. Fabio Capello saw it fit to hand him the England armband which is a sign of his growing stature and maturity as a player. And I just feel, with Neville’s age and injury fears, Fergie must look at a longer term option like Rio.
What do you think? Should he be our captain from next season?
Related items from Red Rants:- Who should succeed Neville as captain?
- Future Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand named England skipper
- What is your formation?
- Hargreaves Agrees Terms… and Signs
- Preparing to beat Reading
Tags: Opinions/Columns
April 15th, 2008 at 10:12
He was Captain at Leeds so he has experience. He’s a leader for sure. Rio for Captain…and I hope he hasn’t let those Drug Nazis fuck up his recreational activities
April 15th, 2008 at 10:47
He is the only choice, Rooney in time maybe but I still think he is too young at the moment. He was a real leader during the Arsenal game. He has improved so much as a player and I thought I would never be writing him up as captain but he has changed and for the better. All hail Rio our captain!
April 15th, 2008 at 10:58
Theres also Hargreaves! Prob he might be a better leader than Rio. But he still has to get a permanent berth in the XI. Probably next season?
April 15th, 2008 at 10:59
Good morning everybody! Thank you Heskey for making me sleep even better that I thought was possible
Moving on; Fergie has said that he will spend this summer. After January I have been looking at other teams, of cource United too, so I could find out about a player that would be a great buy. Call me a scout if you want. Benzema played well in France until we knocked them out in March. He has been shite after that. He looks like a confidence player and does magical stuff when he is on top. He scores goals, but his all around play has been worse than it was until February. It looks like he doesnt want to do anything down the field. But that may just be because Lyon has clinched the title.
Dutch games are shown on the telly every week here, espessialy Ajax. And I have to say, KJ Huntelaar is class. I think he is the most complete striker in the whole world right now. I think he is better than Torres too! His finishing is cool as a Ronaldo penalty, his heading is powerful like Vidas and accurate like Rios, and his volleys are better than last seasons Drogba. But his best skill is to get away from his marker and still be in the best goalscoring positions. He would be an amazing buy. His negative: He doesnt work down in the field, but he makes up for it by being the best striker in the world right now. I think he has scored 7 hat-tricks this season! And he has more than 35 goals in 32 games in Holland.
The right back has been a problem. Brown will surely leave this summer, and Neville is still old. Two players that have gotten my view are Maicon and Lahm. We all have heard of Lahms qualities, but Maicon may be an unknown player to you. He is first choice right-back in Inter. He has is powerful, fast, got some tricks and great crosses…He is like a comination of Vidic and Evra. Not as good as both of them, but good enough to be our right back.
Havent found any CB that I think is good enough for United yet, but I will keep looking.
KJH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3UXU7UqhsM
Benzema: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkvFU6QMrCo
Maicon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39zUJhGTGOk
April 15th, 2008 at 11:10
This is a real, typical Arsenal fan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d7XnwzqzQU
April 15th, 2008 at 11:12
I think had it not been for the christmas party, he may have been a more popular choice earlier in the season, but he has certainly showed his true ability as captain recently.
April 15th, 2008 at 11:32
ronaldo should be made captain, i think my own selfish reason for that is that he will feel like he owns man utd and any offer esp from real he will pass on em
April 15th, 2008 at 11:48
Rio has definitely shown his leadership ability but hopefully Neville can stay injury free next season and there will be no need to change the captaincy. If Fergie is looking for a change Rio is top man and I can see Ronaldo or Rooney as possible future captains. I cannot see Hargreaves as captain as he isn’t a definite first choice in the starting XI in a midfield that is always rotated.
Another look at how Arsenal were kicked out of Europe. A bit irrelevant but funny stuff.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=uycIVidogkE
April 15th, 2008 at 12:29
The team is full of leaders - rio, rooney, ronaldo, tevez all have great character. They try to step up when the team needs it and do not hide away. So in the end i don’t think it really matters who’s captain.
April 15th, 2008 at 13:21
but rsg looking at recent performances, he isint too far from a permanent berth in the team! I guess next yr with giggs & scholes mostly out, it will be a well settled mid field of OH, Carrick and Anderson (a la Gattuso, Pirlo & Seedorf) for united.
April 15th, 2008 at 13:22
regardless of what we think, the ’seniority’ culture will prevail, but with Giggs playing less and less, we might see Rio being named vice-captain for next season, Rooney / Giggs right behind on the list and EVDS / Scholes / Ronaldo behind them.
April 15th, 2008 at 13:43
jos: Is there any particular reason why you think that Hargreaves would be a better choice of captain than Rio? Everything I’ve seen suggests that, in all practical senses, Ferdinand is already the leader in the dressing room.
April 15th, 2008 at 13:58
RR - this might be the strangest (and saddest!) thing you have heard in a while, but I randomly dreamt the other night that I logged onto RedRants and you wrote an article on Rio Ferdinand’s suitability for the captaincy. So you can perhaps imagine my shock when I log on today IRL and I see what is staring right back at me on the computer screen!! (For the record, I also dreamt that we beat Barca 3-0 at Camp Nou, Rooney scoring twice in the first half and Ronaldo rounding things off on the counter towards the end…)
I think Rio is a brilliant choice for the captaincy and methinks he should be installed immediately as first choice captain for next season, as he has proved his worth recently. Gary Neville, although he has been a excellent servant over the years, has become extremely injury prone in the last couple of years and I cannot see him holding down a starting place in this twilight stage of his career, especially if Brown somehow signs and we dip into the market for a Bosingwa or a Rafinha this summer.
Ronaldo and Tevez will definitely leave at some point in the next few years so thats a no-no. Hargreaves, as rsg points out, is too in-and-out. Carrick, although he will be more or less be a starter and would relish the responsibility, is not really the type of captain we need.
I think Rooney should be appointed as the vice-captain as well, as he’s a strong, passionate character who cares about the club, and giving him the vice-captaincy will certainly help the maturing process, as well grooming him to take over from Rio eventually. In addition, we are an English club, and we need two English captains who embody the spirit of English clubs, so I can’t really see beyond Rio and Rooney as captains.
April 15th, 2008 at 16:34
I know I will probably catch alot of shite for this, but I dont see how giving the armband to Ronaldo would be a bad thing? I do like Rio as captain, and for all intents and purposes think he should get the band, but I think that giving it to Ronaldo would actually benefit us in the long run.
I think that he possesses great leadership on the pitch, and giving him the armband may actually make him feel obligated to stay longer then some think and he may want.
That being said, I think giving him the armband in 5 or so years would be perfect, after Rio. He’s already captain of Portugal and he’s captained us this year (in the CL, I think).
April 15th, 2008 at 17:47
I like the agent’s comment: “I believe he can play longer than Maldini - and they believe so at Manchester United as well,”
April 15th, 2008 at 17:58
Firstly, the band should stay with the person who has been the captain unless he is not good enough or is not a regular. I would say let Gary come back and if he keeps getting injured then I think Rio deserves it. I actually do not think that next season will be Gary’s last and I think he has done a tremendous job. After him Rio would be the perfect choice. He is awesome as a player, fans love him, is committed and passionate about the club.
Generally I do not like forwards wearing the armbands because it adds the extra pressure on them and sometimes can affect them. Eg., I think Totti has a lot of responsibility which affects his game.
Rio of course have come under the spotlight, but by the time Gary is gone, he would be wonderful. Rooney has great leadership as well but he needs more space to develop his skills. I appreciate his passion to be captain, but he needs to be get on top of his game. He also sometimes loses his mind, although he has really improved in that area.
Rio for captain after Gaz.
April 15th, 2008 at 18:00
Hargreaves would have been an ideal captain had he been with the club at least three years and if he wasn’t such a big injury risk. He has all the capabilities and leadership qualities on and off the field. However, as it is right now there is no other choice but Rio. Rooney is still very young and his chance will come. Ronaldo? Don’t make me laugh. He may be the best player on the planet and loved by all of us but he is still too full of himself and somewhat selfish in his on field attitude to be a captain. Rio is the choice. Hell right now my second choice would be Vidic. He has all the leadership skills on the field a team would want. But I suspect that Rio is also the man in the dressing room these days.
I agree with Comma on one of his points. By giving Ronaldo the captaincy it may make him want to stay with the club for longer and perhaps his entire career. But I doubt it. Captains have walked on their teams before. Ballack, Veira, are just a few recent examples. Still, he is at an age that makeing him captain would be an impressionable reward that could tilt the scale in United’s direction long term. I still would prefer Rio or Hargo as Captain though.
April 15th, 2008 at 18:08
Ahh, in general I think captaincy should be given to defnders or midfield players as they have better scope of play on the pitch.
Giving the armband to Ronaldo would be just plain stupid. Comma, can you really picture Ronaldo giving instructions to a full back about his man-marking or to other players when defending set-pieces? Puh-lease.
I also cannot picture Rooney carrying the armband what with him at times running with the ball like a headless chicken on the counter and quickly losing possession after that when keeping the ball would alllow for more organised play. Arsenal match anyone?
No, truly Rio has been the first player that I’ve personally deemed fit to wear the armband, especially according to his pitch behaviour.
He has natural charisma that Gary Neville will never have, and for me he’s the new internationally recognisable face of United captaincy, which was someow missing since Keano left.
April 15th, 2008 at 18:14
Good comments from Capello on Rooney:
“What are his qualities for the role? He is a leader, he is a good example on the pitch.
“Like I said, he is very young so we need to give him a bit more time to get some more experience and mature a bit.
“But I do believe he could one day be captain. He is the most talented young English player and the good thing is he has still got a big margin of improvement ahead of him.
“He is very good at everything. The one thing he can improve is the number of chances he puts away.
“He doesn’t convert as many as he could but I am sure that will come in the future.”
Captaincy should go to Rio. Simple in my opinion. Can’t believe how much he has matured over the last 2 years. True professional.
April 15th, 2008 at 18:37
All said and done! Brucey lowers the pressure from SAF and the team. We might say we still have to play Blackburn but chelsea too still have to play Everton, us and then a rejuvinated Newcastle. If we win against old boy Mark Hughes, its then better to go to the bridge to bridge the gap between us and the trophy when we are 5 points ahead than when we are 3 and all that is if chelsea negotiates its way past Everton.
Lads, i guess brucey is one of the wisest strategists i’ve seen in the league so far. He knows he’s got a hard and tricky game against United come the last day of the season. And this day being the day when most suprises do come as per teams to be relegated, he needs a favour from SAF.
Steve Bruce and Schaner mentioning how they are going to beat chelsea and win the title for United wasnt because they had what it takes but it was another set of mind games.
Brucey is wise to know that if he makes chelsea drop points and United wins the trophy before the last game, then Ferguson and his boys have nothing to play for and can thus easily play it easy for Wigan a game which will be in Wigan’s backyard.
Brucey what an intelligent lad and OB you are….
As for the captaincy issue, i dont see someone who stands in Rio’s way at the moment. In future Hargo and Rooney can be contenders but not now. Go Rio captain England, Captain Man United after all you captained Leeds to the semis of the champions league, that’s enough experience. isn’t it?
April 15th, 2008 at 19:27
my reasons for OH as captain instead of Rio:
1. OH is a midfield player who is capable of playing in multitude of roles (as DM, right mid, right back at least these 3 we know - so excellent understanding of the roles and situations). I somehow have a feeling that in most footy games its the midfield players who provide the inspiration. It is not to say that defenders are not important (they are equally so) but mids link defence with attack and they more than anyone decide the outcome of the game! You might have the best striker in the world but without a capable midfield he might do nothing (indeed without a capable defence you might still lose but you cant win in football without scoring, only avoid loss!)
2. OH has generally been brilliant in most (or almost all) games for us that he has involved in (so much so that in most he was either the best or among the best players). Thats character and consistency for me.
3. I would want to see an inspirational figure as our captain (somebody like Roy Keane). Apart from Rooney, I think only OH is the other such figure in our squad. Rio is great but he is unlikely to be such a figure. Except for Maldini I havent seen any other great captains who are defenders.
4. Rio’s past! Although I hope he has leant now (but still, the Christmas’07 party!!! Hardly something Man Utd captain can be proud of!!!)
April 15th, 2008 at 19:46
My vote is to officially instate him as the vice-captain next season. Rio can afford to be patient - Gary’s days are numbered and it will be sooner than later that Rio will be permanent captain. That will also buy time for Rooney to mature and we can then see Rio-Rooney as a captain/vice-captain combination.
We are blessed in that there are many potential leaders in the squad - Vidic is easily captain material too but Rio’s been there longer. I have mixed feelings for Ronaldo as captain, if only for the fact that he tends to be a bit self-absorbed. However, there’s no denying his passion. Hargreaves too is a viable option but till his injury woes are out of the way, he’ll be a peripheral choice, no more. I don’t see Carrick as being captain material at all - like Scholes, his strengths lie elsewhere.
April 15th, 2008 at 19:46
Oh come on jos, your fourth point is a bit too stringent. Sure he may have a dodgy past (the Ayia Napa stuff with Fat Frank & Co in his WHU days springs to mind) but don’t we all?? Everyone has done something they’ve regretted once and Rio is no different. Funny how urinating in front of American tourists grieving over 9/11 (a far heinous crime in my book than organising a hedonistic Xmas party) didnt stop John Terry from captaining club and country…
Rio’s press conference after the Arsenal game, where he stated that he had no sympathy, epitomises why he should be captain. That is the type of ruthless character we need as our leader.
April 15th, 2008 at 21:07
JOS; Beckenbauer, Baresi, Krol, Adams, Passarella, Cannavaro, Puyol, Moore, Hughes etc etc. All have been captains for their clubs or national side and all are legends who commanded the pitch with great leadership and presence. You are just so wrong on this point it’s mind boggling.
Also, Hargreaves is arguably my favorite player battling it out with Ronaldo and Riquelme. I would love to see him as captain but on United he doesn’t yet deserve that kind of honor or consideration. He’s played less than half a season of games and hasn’t got the tenure on the team to be given the armband. It’s between Rio, Rooney and Vidic as an outside third chance. It will go to Rio because at this time in his career, he is showing tremendous leadership on and off the pitch and because he has just plain earned it. Signing a new five year contract also will get him in the good graces of the boss. Rooney will get his chance in 4 or 5 years. He’s still young and has lots more to concentrate and to achieve without adding that extra pressure on him.
April 15th, 2008 at 21:18
Red Devil; I think you are talking up Huntelaar a bit much, I man, the best striker in the world? Or more to the point, the most complete? That’s going a bit overboard for definite. One of the best finishers in the world right now? No doubt. But that’s it, he does everything inside the box, but he doesn’t have the pace to get away from defences if Rooney or Tevez plays a quick through ball behind the defence, and I’m not sure he has the quickness of mind to get involved in our build-up. This would me a major hindrance to the way we play football. For everything he does in the box I would give him a 10/10, but his game pretty much revolves around getting balls in the box from anywhere possible, we like to play about with it a bit more and I’m sure he wouldn’t be used to our style of play. I think I prefer Gomez in all honesty, just based on the fact that he’s playing in a more competitive league and he has a lot more pace.
, so i wouldn’t give him the captaincy ahead of Rio.
Jos; I think I pretty much disagree with everything you just said in that comment.
1)The fact that he is a midfielder and is versatile makes no difference to the choice of captain. Sure he can influence play possibly more than Rio is he play in the centre, but does that make him a better choice for captain? He can influence play with or without the captaincy anyway, it’s not as if making his captain makes him a better and more influential player.
2)He’s had more than a few bad games too, he’s not perfect (however much I like him) so your second point is just plain stupid. There have been quite a few performances which are worth mentioning: Arsenal (twice), Liverpool, Roma; but he was fairly non existent in a few matches too.
3)Your third point saying that Rio isn’t particularly inspirational, I’m sorry but Hargreaves always gives 100% (when fit) but Rio does this and more, and he inspires not only through the passion with which he celebrates with but more importantly the way he plays, and this is far more evident when watching Rio play than it is with Hargreaves. Also you can’t think of any defenders that have made a good captain? Steve Bruce and Tony Adams were to of the best. The original list of captains for this seasons Premier League: Arsenal - Gallas, West Ham - Neill, Manchester United - Neville, Chelsea - Terry, Reading - Murty, Man City - Dunne, Portsmouth - Campbell, Everton - Neville, Middlesborough - Woodgate, Birmingham - Liam Ridgewell. That means half of the teams in the Premier League are captained by a defender. I also think people are making the whole Christmas fiasco seem worse than it is, he’s a highly sociable person and it was a way of getting the whole team to bond, not the best way, but nonetheless I don’t look at it as badly as most others. Rio deserves the captaincy for what he’s done on the pitch this year, but I think he should only get it if Gary Neville gets replaced this summer, because I think it would be unfair to strip him of his captaincy if he is still going to be our regular right back. Hargreaves doesn’t have United blood running through him , yet
April 15th, 2008 at 23:00
Conor; I too prefer Gomez but I don’t think we will ever get him simply because he does not seem to be on Fergie’s radar. In fact, I am shocked that Lahm is because Fergie has never been fond of German players. Other than him and Ballack, he has never looked at any Germans that I can remember. And because I am such a fan of Germany, I have to say that kind of bugs me a little.
Huntelaar is certainly not the best and most complete striker in the world, thats for sure. But yes he does own the box. It’s his domain. I have to disagree with you regarding his pace and quickness of mind. Although he is not as fast as Tevez or Rooney, he should have no problem with United’s style of play or buildup. As well, he has shown me many times that he can score from outside of the box and that he can hold the ball up with physical presence, controlled dribbling and vision.
You cannot discount his consistency and his awesome goal scoring record. Yes it’s in Holland but the Dutch league isn’t exactly the Swiss or the Belgian either. A lot of quality players and a few excellent teams reside there. If he was to sign with United and play a regular role, I think 20 goals a season in just the BPL is certainly possible. Overall, he should be able to net 30 goals and take a lot of that pressure of both Ronaldo and Rooney which will help them round there games out and concentrate on improving other elements of their play. No matter how I like Tevez, he is an ideal sub and occasionally spot starter. His terrier like tenacity and energy is ideal for short periods of time where he can change the feel of a game. I’d say the same for Anderson. Anyway, if we were to get either Huntelaar or Gomez I’d be over the moon.
Yet, I have a gut feeling that Fergie is going to go for a relatively cheap and even younger player and also possibly bring back Rossi. Also, he does have Manucho as a 4th striker. His #1 concentration I think will be to find a RB. I think Lahm is staying with Bayern btw.
April 15th, 2008 at 23:09
grognard, who is that young german striker with a latin name, one thats amazing in the air, i think i saw him play and was mesmorised whilst watching a bundaliga match, but can not remember for the life of me, and i think you should know as you are a stern follower of the german league, so if you know the player, could you give me a rating, and how well he could fit into uniteds system, im trying to scout as much talent again for a summer wishlist
like RedDevil
April 15th, 2008 at 23:20
Mr.Muhozi, both and I and Grognard already mentioned his name, Mario Gomez.
I agree any goal is a good goal, but I just don’t think even with Huntelaar we would be able to incorporate this into our style of play, I really don’t. Although if Sir Alex is going to persist on not playing Tevez regularly then I’d be content with Huntelaar, I find it a high chance he would be our 20 goal a season striker. However, we don’t have that and we won the league, Liverpool and Chelsea have that (and arguably Arsenal) yet they are all behind us. I know this is because we are superior in many other ways as well but buying a strike who scores goals doesn’t lead to instant success(or in RVN’s case, in the long term also)
Grognard; I agree about Lahm, I highly doubt we have any chance of getting him, although since he only has one season left with Bayern I have hope, but Klinsmann should give him motivation to sign during the summer I’m sure. About Huntelaar, I know he can shoot from outside the box and I’m sure his hold up play is reliable and valuable, but the sorts of openings created from quick one twos by Tevez and Rooney wouldn’t be possible with Huntelaar and so we would lack those moments of brilliance. This would make us have to take the traditional get the ball in the box and score a scrappy goal technique, just the way you like it Grognard eh?
April 15th, 2008 at 23:43
this is random but thank god chealsea didnt win that game against wigam that would have been there 12th! 1-0 win game of the season!!
ManU
Games won by 1 goal margin 9
2 goal margin 6
3 goal margin 5
4 goal margin 4
5+ goal margin 1 (new castle)
arsehole
Games won by 1 goal margin 8
2 goal margin 8
3 goal margin 3
4 goal margin 0
5+ goal margin 1 (derby)
chelski
Games won by 1 goal margin 11
2 goal margin 9
3 goal margin 0
4 goal margin 0
5+ goal margin 2 (man city, derby)
this is why we are worthy winners, not only do we win more, and draw less games but we also score more goals.
Come on UNITED!!
April 16th, 2008 at 2:24
Those one twos between Rooney and Tevez are really overblown Conor. They managed a couple and one turned into a goal and now many like you think it’s the cat’s meow. It happens successfully very rarely and it’s not as efficient or as constant and dependable as standard striker play where a real old school striker gets fed in the box. A goal poaching striker’s goals would not play on your mind like the very rare one two types because they aren’t as pretty and they happen far more often. I’ll take quantity over quality any time. Rooney, Ronaldo and even Tevez will still have their chances to score beautiful goals. But now they will have an outlet in a Huntelaar like striker who can add more goals and score on a lot more half chances and rebounds. Huntelaar is also able to play as a lone striker up front because he is also adept at holding and guarding the ball. What I am really drooling over when I think about it is how he and Hargreaves could bring back the memories of Beckham to RVN, Cole or Yorke. Hargo’s crosses to such a good header of the ball would be a fantasy come true. I have absolutely no fears of him fitting in well with United. Question is, will we get him? 50/50 I say.
April 16th, 2008 at 3:03
Players like tevez don’t take it easy when they start a game. They show the same energy levels when they start as when they come on as subs. It’s their natural game. Tevez would use the same amount of energy if he came on as a sub for 20 minutes as he would in the first 20 minutes of a game he started. Tevez is good enough to be a consistent starter for us, and he will be next season, unless we buy a wonderkid like benzema. He is tired right now, so ferguson needs to limit his playing time. A good holiday in the summer will see him come back buzzing next season, where he should hold his own alongside rooney and ronaldo.
Rooney is our 20+ goals-a-season striker btw. When you consider huntelaar, keep in mind dirk kuyt and mateja kezman were both just as outstanding in the dutch league. So were players like ruud mind you…
April 16th, 2008 at 3:08
Grognard: “I’ll take quantity over quality any time”
Really? If it’s a question of a 4-0 win where every goal is average and the team plays average football or a 2-0 win where both goals are brilliant and the team is fantastic, I think I’d take the 2-0 most of the time. Obviously the ideal is both quality and quantity, like we have now. I’d say no to Huntelaar based on how much higher the quality of our football got when we sold Ruud. We need someone like Saha but fit. Benzema is by far the best candidate but it won’t happen. Decent in the air, strong, smart, technically sound and with an eye for goal. Someone who’s got the speed and ability to turn a game like Tevez does, but in a more forward, penetrating way. Like Saha does when he plays.
While a goal poacher could serve his purposes I do think it would be a wasted man in our system, which has basically become 4-6-0.
April 16th, 2008 at 4:07
What we need is a striker like Saha who can stay fit. That’s all we really need, to be honest. I really don’t want the days of Beckham crossing to RvN to score goals. That could be the optional route, but not the norm. Huntelaar is an excellent finisher and I’ve seen him from the Under 21 Euro c’ships days, where Holland won. But I am not convinced about his physical ability.
April 16th, 2008 at 4:18
Rio is really the best option isn’t it….he is 29. He is in between the giggs,neville and scholes group and that of rooney ronaldo tevez etc. He has been here at the club a while and seems to be a very vocal leader on the pitch. With the future in mind i think he should be made captain.
April 16th, 2008 at 7:11
Ive been watching Ajax all season and I must say that I really think KJ Huntelaar is the best striker in the world right now! He is not that fast or plays so much in the build up, but his finishing is top class. No-one can match him there. The most important thing for strikers is to be great finishers, and that is what he is. He can score with both feet, headers, tap-ins, volleys and long range screamers. United dont need 4 or 5 strikers that are all the same. They need different types! An attacking four of Rooney, Tevez, Huntelaar and Manucho next season would give this team another dimension. Right now United need a finisher and unless Rooney becomes that, I agree that we dont need a player like him. But right now we do.
April 16th, 2008 at 8:02
Tevez; Have you ever played a sport? It’s about endurance. Who cares how they start the game? It’s how they are half way through the game and how they finish at the end. No player can come out like Tevez did in th 60th minute on Sunday and run like that for 90 minutes. Simple analogy is that Tevez is a great 100 meters runner but is not so great in the 400 meters.
Yes and when you consider Huntelaar consider Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten and Denis Bergkamp and Johan Cruyff etc. Your point is completely useless and unfounded. Every major footballing country produces quality players as well as duds.
Jeez Michael, you make it sound like our system is some kind of exotic hybrid. It’s not. Huntelaar like RVN would fit in perfectly. The only reason some of you feel we play some kind of exotic funky style of football is because of Ronaldo and a FEW give and go’s that Rooney and Tevez have pulled off. I’d rather have Huntelaar get 4 or 5 good chances per game in a conventional way than wait for a Tevez/Rooney give and go to work once every 7 games. And they call Ronaldo a show pony. More fans on this blog are delusional show poney addicts who prefer glitz over substance. I still believe in the simple KISS philosophy. You know, “Keep it simple stupid”. It creates more opportunities because it takes less ability and fewer things can go wrong. Hargo crosses to Huntelaar for a header on goal, thank you very much.
RR; Perhaps if you had watched Huntelaar more than a couple times since his under 21 tourney, you might think differently. It’s just like all the nay sayers on this site who were down on Hargo when I was writing about all his exploits and abilities with Bayern. Nobody but a few agreed or wanted to listen. Now most of them have shut their traps because they were misinformed, ignorant and just plain wrong. Bottom line is I don’t build up or push players on this blog unless I have watched them more times than I can count. So I feel I am an informed viewer on players like Hargo, Huntelaar, Lahm and Gomez. And JB knows how I feel about Riquelme, right JB? You don’t hear me say too much about Benzema, Bosingwa or Veloso because I have not seen them as much. Why criticize or build up a player if you don’t know much about him. Like all the guys who think Manucho is the new Pele. God give me strength. What gets me is when somebody talks like they are an expert on a player having watched him 2 or 3 times. Enough already. I’ve seen Huntelaar play at least 60 times in the past 4 years. So when I read someone say that he has no pace, or he cannot play our system or he’s not good in the air etc, it just pisses me off. We all have our viewpoints but lets try to make our views objective, well informed and less bias.
And Louis Saha healthy didn’t light my fire much so I honestly don’t see why we would want another clone of him around. What I want is another RVN. But then again, that’s my bias.
Michael; 4-6-0 is nothing to be proud of. And I’m sure it’s not what Fergie wants either.
RedDevil; Although I would stop short of calling Huntelaar the best striker in the world, I would go as far as to say that under the coaching and nurturing of SAF, he would become the best. What is amazing about him now is how much of a complete package he is. People think he is just a goal poacher. They never see his overhead banana kicks, his diving headers, his 20 meter bombs from outside the box, his ability to score with both feet and his deft first touches. This year alone I think of the goals he hasn’t scored. He has hit the post numerous times and has had several goals called back. A few were poor off side calls. And yes, he is very good as a lone striker up front as well, he can play very well in a fast counter attack. You are right. The team needs to show diversity on the pitch. Be less predictable. A Ronaldo, Rooney and Huntelaar triad would cause so much concern and problems for the opposition. Who do you double mark. You can’t mark them all. And does anybody not think that Huntelaar receives double coverage in his games. He’s all that Ajax has, and still he scores over a goal a game. To steal a quote from Jose Mourinho; “He’s Fantastic!”.
April 16th, 2008 at 8:07
Everyone know a fit Saha would be great for our team, but I just don’t see Benzema as that guy, nor do I see Manucho as being the man to lead our line. All players are different and I can’t find one player who would suit our style of play as much as Saha does, I found similarities between him and Anelka, but I’m now happy we didn’t get him. I can see similarities in Saha and Gomez, they both get involved in the build up play, both are great headers and they are fast. But Gomez is a better finisher.
Oh and just as a last thought, I do see Huntelaar and Benzema as viable options as Sir Alex said a few weeks ago there is one position he is looking at this summer and the player of choice will be young. That’s why I’m still hoping for Gomez
April 16th, 2008 at 8:14
[Grognard]
I said I watched Huntelaar from his U21 days and not just the U21. I have seen him about 25 to 30 times, half as much as you but still enough to form some opinion. His physical presence doesn’t convince me. That’s my opinion. I don’t understand how you concluded that I saw him only twice. And if the others say he’s not good enough, fair play to them, it’s their vision isn’t it? Who are we to conclude the number of times they may or may not have seen. Such a generalization is unfair in my opinion.
I won’t complain if we get Huntelaar though. I just have a misgiving about his physical ability, but we can know that only if he comes to the EPL. I wasn’t convinced about Torres either because his finishing wasn’t much to write home about at Atletico, but things have turned out differently. Even one of the most respected La Liga journalists that I’ve read, Phil Ball, didn’t rate Torres too highly.
Misjudgement can happen even to the best of us mate. So all we can do is speculate about Huntelaar.
And yes, we are entitled to our bias which is why we rant here. So we can’t put others down for that.
April 16th, 2008 at 8:55
For me the bottom line is this, if we buy Huntelaar I do not believe he will be in SAF’s starting 11 for the big games. IMO he just is not a good enough player to lead the line by himself on the biggest occasions. I believe the likes of Berbatov, Eto’o and Benzema have the qualities (or some of them) to fulfill the role, however all of them would be more expensive and harder to get than Huntelaar. While I would not object to signing him and he would give us more options/goals he is not my ideal summer striker target. However without knowing our budget, prices of the various targets, SAF’s views on keeping Rooney as the point man, and availability it is difficult to say who should be our main target.
April 16th, 2008 at 10:21
if we buy a striker next season, it will be in January and not the summer.it makes me sick, when people say that big clubs dont make talent, they buy it, and were guilty of this, next season we will have a maximum of 6 strikers, 7 if you count ronny. three of them would be home grown talent, while the other 3 are the ones we bought, we need to give then 3, or 2(brandy will probably be sold or rot in the reserves) a chance to show what they can do.
April 16th, 2008 at 14:11
OK, so tevez came on for half an hour and ran around like a mad man. Now, had he started the game, he would have done roughly the same amount of running in the first half an hour. You seem to think he would take it easy. Ofcourse he couldn’t do it for 90 minutes, but he’s not going to think to himself, ‘i better not close down as much right now ‘cos i’ve got to keep my energy to last the full game.’
My point was that kuyt and kezman were brilliant in the dutch league. ‘Every country produces quality players and duds’ - kuyt and kezman could not have been considered duds in the dutch league. Then they come to england and are failures. Huntelaar could be the same. I think he’s a better natural goalscorer than the two of them, but i feel that the better premiership centre-halves could have their way with him. Afonso alves is a natural goalscorer too, but i think he is physically more competent than huntelaar. There’s no-one better for our team than a fit louis saha
April 16th, 2008 at 18:57
Tevez; A manager once an infusion of energy in the last third of game to take a tied game ot a game where they are behind in to a different direction. To waste that great energy in the first third of the game leaves you suspect for the end pus, the opposition is just as fresh at the beginning of the game as CT would be. And I know what your point was by bringing up Kezman and Kuyt and I corrected that one dimensional attack on Dutch imports to the EPL by naming other Dutch strikers who became known as world class players despite your assertion that the Dutch League only creates failures.
Make your argument well rounded and not bias and one sided because it leaves you open for that kind of comeback. You base your assertions and conclusions on feelings you have an not on facts. That’s fine, you are entitled to do so, but know then that somebody who bases most of his conclusions on facts and experience watching certain players has probably a more informed opinion than a guesser. That does not make me 100% correct. In football, you never really know. But I’d rather trust the vie of a a person like RR who has watched Huntelaar (and isn’t won over by him) at least 30 times over, than a fan who just has a feeling about a player like you do towards him as well as Bendtner. By all means, let yourself comment on whomever you like, but expect posters like me to challenge you when you make claims you cannot backup with valuable viewing time or facts and figures. And Louis Saha being fit is a fantasy. His knee is chronically hurt and it will never get better. Unlike Hargreaves injury which may go away with rest or with surgery, they have said that Saha cannot be improved on much any more. So forget Saha, I’m sure Fergie has. Personally speaking the player never ever did for me. He never looked like he played with any passion or fun. He always looked moody and disinterested.
April 16th, 2008 at 19:03
Dan; Do you honestly believe that Fergie is not going to buy another striker this summer? Unlike Wenger, he does not put as much faith in youth as you think. And when he does, he does it like Wenger. He buys it from another country or team. Our homegrown talent is decent but not good enough to play for the big team. At least not yet. There is a good chance Manucho may get a look in pre season training next season bu surely Welbeck and others are far away. Fergie does not want us to be thin at striker this season. It is our overall depth and flexibility in midfield and with Ronaldo that has let us get away with a very thin front line. That weakness will be taken care of this summer, GUARANTEED. It may actually come by bringing back Geo Rossi, but I think Fergie wants somebody more dynamic or equally as young. I don’t think it will be Benzema so I am hoping for Huntelaar or Gomez. But Fergie could pull out a surprise out of his hat and get Fabiano or somebody else. But he certainly will not sit pat. He wants Rooney to play a comfortable role again.
April 16th, 2008 at 19:54
Dan; I have to agree with Grognard, our youth just isn’t capable of stepping up to being first team regulars or even valuable subs. I understand why you like Welbeck, I watch MUTV regularly too and rarely miss a reserve game, and he is a class above most of the others.(bar eagles, but he will never be good enough for a top top team, he’ll be more like a Kieran Richardson) And hearing about Cambpell starring in the Championship for Hull City is great, but he’s not good enough to start for us either. He reminds me so much of Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, capable of being a star for the lower premiership teams or Championship teams, but he just won’t make the cut. It may be difficult to comprehend that nearly every decent English player we produce hasn’t been good enough since the days of Beckham et all but that’s just the way it is in this current climate.
Grognard; I think the possibility of Rossi making a return to us, not just now, but ever, is highly unlikely. He had a great start to the season, and had another good spell from February to the beginning of this month, but I don’t see him as a viable option. He likes to drop deep just like Rooney and Tevez, people don’t realize that because he is a good finisher but he does a lot of his best work in the build up and he doesn’t make too many runs in behind, and plus he’s not got the physical presence we need either.
April 16th, 2008 at 22:33
I personally don’t want Rossi to return for many of the reasons you give Conor. But, does Fergie agree with us?
April 17th, 2008 at 0:56
I mentioned van nistelrooy so i was not attacking dutch imports. In fact, i said i believe huntelaar to be better than both kuyt and kezman. To make sure you don’t come out and say i’m just guessing again, this is because i think huntelaar is a more natural goalscorer who takes up good positions in the box, so even playing at a higher level he will find a bit of space and score a few. He is slow, though, and physically i can’t see him competing against premier league centre-halves. So i don’t think he’ll offer more than some tap-ins, basically. You have to weigh up his worth to the team then and i think you’re better with a striker who can offer more. Saha was very strong and quick, and offered us a long option. He could run in behind and could hold up the ball, as well as chip in with goals.
Btw, it’s not like i’ve never seen huntelaar play or i’ve just watched videos on youtube or anything. I’ve seen him play, and my opinion hasn’t changed at all over his style. You are not more informed than me on huntelaar. Watch a player enough and you know his game. Simple. I don’t give my opinion on a player i’ve not seen, surely no-one does that, that’s just stupid. Do you think i came to the conclusion bendtner was a bad player based solely on that one chance against us? LOL…
April 17th, 2008 at 6:13
Huntelaar is not slow. Thats a myth that is being perpetuated by a few who believe that a goal poacher is naturally slow therefore, Huntelaar must be slow. You say you have watched him play, how can you think he is slow when he constantly out paces players to the ball? And Saha on his greatest day can’t shine Huntelaar’s shoes. Saha never had the same kind of finishing ability. And to be frank, yes I do think you jump to conclusions on players beased on seeing them only a few times because the evidence of how good they are defeats your argument. You say you have seen Huntelaar play enough, I challenge you on that and say you haven’t because had you done so, you would not honestly feel that Huntelaar lacked pace or enough of the skills necessary to be a great United player. As for Bendtner, I have seen the young man score some very nice goals for Arsenal this year and show a real goal scorers instinct by being in the right place at the right time and also showing an ability to fight for a ball in the air.
You are jumping the gun on players you know very little about and you are showing a favoritism for a player most people feel is washed up and worthless in Saha. It’s really not very hard to come to this conclusion about you, even if it’s not correct. With all due respect, the evidence and proof backs up my evaluations. So I’ll rest on this subject because it’s clear we are not in agreement and will never find agreement due to a difference of opinion that we are both dead set on. There is no point. You feel you are right and I know in my heart and mind that I am. There is no middle ground here. So lets give it a rest on this subject.