Jul 27
Scholes’ Injury is a Blessing
You wouldn’t get that usually in a United site. Especially when someone, of the stature of Paul Scholes, faces the grim prospect of being out of the side for a good month. Not to mention the time he will surely take to get back into his stride, coming back from the long layoff.
Make no mistake, this would have been seen as terrible news had it been last year. But this year, you couldn’t have asked for a better blessing than this.
To stop myself from sounding retarded, by beating around the bush, allow me to explain.
When SAF bought Owen Hargreaves after a protracted saga of over a year, he certainly had plans in mind for the long run. The general belief is that as Scholes is ‘phased’ out of the squad, the midfield engine room will be increasingly dependent on Michael Carrick and Hargreaves to provide for the fuel. Ideally, if we take the Roma situation as a classic example, our 4-2-3-1 formation of the future will have Carrick and Hargreaves playing deep lying midfielders, with Ronaldo, Rooney, Nani and Tevez as our front four, who will interchange, making it extremely difficult for opposition defenders to mark us. Anderson of course will also figure in the front four, although, at the moment, it will really be a toss up between Nani and him. (We haven’t seen much of either.)
Yes, Anderson has been tipped to be the replacement for Paul Scholes, as the player capable of playing in the ‘hole’, but that is unlikely given Rooney or Tevez might be doing that job in the foreseeable future. There is the possibility – given Anderson’s age and ability to play on the left side of the park, as he as admitted that he loves playing left back – that he might be converted to a winger who could also rotate and play across the park. But for the moment, let’s leave Anderson for later and concentrate on the present.
The presence of Scholes, Carrick and Hargreaves provides SAF with options aplenty. He might be tempted, for example, to play all three, but sacrifice one out of his hugely talented flair players on the front. Or he might bench one of the three midfielders available to him for more flair. While we may be tempted to conclude that 4-3-3 will be for Europe and 4-2-3-1 for the League, I am willing to bet the manager to be in some kind of a happy dilemma as to decide the best formation for the game.
Last season, when everyone was fit, our first XI pretty much picked itself. This time, Fergie must tread the thin line of being able to rotate players without disturbing the rhythm too much as to break a ‘winning combination’. In short, he shouldn’t pull a Rafa. So here’s where Scholes’ injury comes in handy. He wouldn’t have to make a decision on who to pick in his central midfield. Hargreaves and Carrick will start (in what I expect to be a fluid 4-2-3-1).
Hopefully Hargreaves should be fit to play in the game against Inter. If not he should be at least able to get valuable minutes in the clutch of games we will be playing between 3rd and 8th of August. (That’s 4 games in six days, to be precise, which also includes the Community shield game against Chelsea.)
SAF will be hoping that these games would help him settle into a good understanding with Carrick – in time for the new season – so that we have a reasonably settled midfield that can go on and build from the first game till the end of August. After which, Scholes will be back to take over the reigns, just to ease up things for our lads.
The fact that Fergie may be forced to pair Carrick and Hargreaves straightaway excites me because, while it may be a bold move, it is a moment the manager and fans have been waiting for, in a long while – the final solution to our midfield conundrum that will eventually fill the void left by the illustrious duo of Paul Scholes and Roy Keane.
Related items from Red Rants:
- United’s Midfield Dilemma
- Man Utd v Middlesbrough: Preview
- The Scholes-Sunderland connection is BS
- Tevez Update: Is a Solution Finally In Sight?
- Scholes Out for Three Months. Great News?
Tags: Opinions/Columns
July 27th, 2007 at 10:17
so for the start of the season we will be playing hargreaves and carrick deep and giggs/nani on the left with hopefully tevez in the middle, if not anderson and ronaldo on the right with rooney upfront, right?
that seems to me prety good!!!
July 27th, 2007 at 10:50
Hargreaves and Carrick to start?
I wouldn’t be so sure. If Hargreaves gets any football played before the start of the season it will
be a bonus. And don’t forget the length of the lay-off he’s had leading up to this latest problem.
Even if he shakes off this tendonitis in double-quick time, he will be noewhere near match-fit in time
to face Reading.
And, for all his English links, he has never played in the Premiership. Are you seriously suggesting
that Fergie throws him, half-fit, into a battle against one of the toughest sides in the league last
season (and a team that always plays three in midfield) as one half of a midfield two?
Not a hope in hell. If Fergie opts for 4-4-2, it will be Carrick and (oh yes) Darren Fletcher who start
the game (both of whom have impressed already in pre-season). If Fergie opts for 3 in midfield it will
be a toss-up between Hargreaves and O’Shea to sit in front of the back 4.
Mark my words, Hargreaves still has a bit to prove and will be eased into the team, not chucked in off
the deep end.
July 27th, 2007 at 10:52
So….
Beckham, Keane, Scholes & Giggs
Now reads.
Ronaldo, Hargreaves, Carrick, Nani
Who from the latter would displace the former.
I still believe Scholes & Giggs will play a major role this season.
July 27th, 2007 at 10:56
I too am looking forward to seeing Hargreaves and Carrick develop a solid and effective central pairing, primarily for Manchester United’s benefit, of course, but also for the additional delicious headache it will give Steve McClaren if these two players are really clicking around about the same time England are falling apart in Euro qualifiers.
July 27th, 2007 at 10:59
If OH is fit, I’m pretty sure SAF will start him off by playing 3 in midfield. That is OH, Carrick and Fletcher.
Rooney, Giggs and Ronaldo will be the forwards. O’shea, Nani subs.
July 27th, 2007 at 11:08
[karl]
4-3-3 would be very defensive IMO. Rooney still doesn’t convince me when he plays on his own upfront.
[Mick]
Fair point about Hargreaves’ fitness, but SAF was quoted as saying that Hargreaves’ condition is more of an irritant than a serious injury. And when you throw 17 mills on a defender, you will throw him in sooner than later. He’ll probably get a substitute appearance in his first league game and then will be started as soon as possible. Of course, if he doesn’t get fit in time (and doesn’t get pre-season games) then it will be hard to expect him to play straightaway.
July 27th, 2007 at 11:13
this could all change if we get carlos tevez cause we could altimately go for a attacking 4-4-2 formation with OH and carrick in the centre and giggs and ronaldo on the wing with nani coming on at half time for giggs
July 27th, 2007 at 11:33
Am just bored about TEVEZ story, Ollie Y
Y, lets 4get the tevez story cz its
in court and could drag, maybe till
jan. Fergie will throw in Hargo as
soon as he can..News on our game 2day.
as possible
July 27th, 2007 at 11:35
so where does anderson come in this. dont forget that SAF payed more for anderson than nani so why would anderson be the sub. and for the game against reading it will be a 4-4-2 with eagles and carrick in the centre and tevez and rooney upfront if we get him, if we dont rossi and rooney.
July 27th, 2007 at 11:52
“when you throw 17 mills on a defender”
God, I hope Fergie is a bit more clued up about his best position!
July 27th, 2007 at 11:56
I dont think giggs, ronaldo and rooney is enough on the attacking front. If saha is also not fit, i think should fergie should thrown in either nani, anderson or even rossi!
July 27th, 2007 at 11:59
“Rooney still doesn’t convince me when he plays on his own upfront.”
I’m inclined to agree with you, as it happens. But SAF is convinced he can operate as a lone striker.
In the words of the great man himself:
“if you look at the FA Cup final against Chelsea, Wayne played up front on his own and was absolutely
fantastic. That is where I see his future anyway and that is why I believe he can play in the same
side as Carlos Tevez.”
“
July 27th, 2007 at 12:10
[Mick]
Oh Fuck! That was a typo. I was thinking defensive midfielder but it came defender. I don’t know what happened in between :O
July 27th, 2007 at 12:14
My reasoning for 433 is that SAF will try to ‘protect’ OH as far as possible until he start to gel in and ’stand his own’. If OH is exposed (before settling in), it can turn into a PR disaster seeing that he chased OH for over a year.
July 27th, 2007 at 12:39
I have serious doubts over owen hargreaves.he is a great midfielder but its his injuries that are worrying.not to sure but before he joined he was injured at bayern and now he cant make his debut because of the same.hope he isnt like our french striker
July 27th, 2007 at 13:16
At the moement I honestly have no idea who the front 6 will be
against Reading or even what the formation will be. Its obvious
that Carrick, Rooney and Ronaldo will be in the team. Apart from
that its anybody’s guess at the moment. Consequently, the next
couple of weeks worth of pre season friendlies is going to be
very interesting.
July 27th, 2007 at 13:32
Guys you got to cool down, we still
got 2 weeks to prepare, hopefully by
then HARGO, SAHA, TEVEZ, G.N will be
fit 2give the gaffer selction headache.
July 27th, 2007 at 14:35
I think Anderson may come a little more up in the selection…He is awesome talent..creative,fast,obviously skiled than Nani.and played a bigger role than Nani at Porto..but sure Fergie will give him all season to settle down..coz he dont want another Kleberson…
July 27th, 2007 at 15:02
It is hard to predict what the starting lineup will be, but not having Scholes available is still a blow whatever spin you put on it. Even if you don’t start with him, having him as an option on the bench would be a major plus. In fact, the same is true for all the players. Giggs starts and if he gets tired, bring on Nani to give the fullback something new to think about.
July 27th, 2007 at 15:15
rooney goal(1st)
http://www.dailymotion.com/tag/football/video/x2ms7b_guangzhou-pharmaceutical-0-1-manche
nani goal(2nd) great goal
http://www.dailymotion.com/tag/football/video/x2ms27_guangzhou-pharmaceutical-0-2-manche_sport
lee martin goal(3rd)great goal
http://www.dailymotion.com/tag/football/video/x2mscr_guangzhou-pharmaceutical-0-3-manche_sport
July 27th, 2007 at 16:36
I think anderson will be converted into a left winger. He will add more options ones gigsy retires( long live the welsh maestro). I have to admit will still miss those pinpoint crosses from deep midfield. One may argue that carrick can do it but I still beilive that scholes has a more ‘magical touch ‘ and he has been used in that role in the past recent months. lets wait and see how united will fair on in the game against intermilan and those chelsea buffoons
July 27th, 2007 at 17:08
GUANGZHOU 0:3 MANCHESTER UNITED
All Goals in Zip
ZSHARE
http://www.zshare.net/download/2870129201ef15/
Source :-http://premierleagueclips.blogspot.com/2007/07/pre-season-guangzhou-0-3-manchester.html
July 27th, 2007 at 17:41
It is possible that it may be a 4-4-2 with Giggs, Carrick, Anderson, Nani. Then Rooney and Ronaldo up front. It’s a long shot but if OH is injured I think it’s the best team we can put out.
July 27th, 2007 at 18:23
Carrick as an attacking midfielder? I know he has an excellent range of passing, but i’m not sure if he has the intelligence and pace to make late runs and break into the box like Scholes (not that scholesy was particularly fast in the first place…)
July 27th, 2007 at 19:35
I don’t know if I would go so far as to to call Scholes’ knock a
“blessing”, but it could definitely allow SAF to test some pairings
and formations. Personally, I love the idea of pairing Carrick and
Hargreaves. I know Carrick doesn’t have a nose for goal like Scholes,
but his passing is second to none as is his vision. Moreover, he adds
more height in the box on corners and his tackling is much better.
Perhaps the biggest benefit here is that Scholes doesn’t need to be
used as much in Europe, which means that we won’t have to worry about
card-accumulation and suspension. It seems like the main concern over
replacing Scholes with Carrick is the less offensive style that Carrick
brings. But is that really a problem when you have offensive weapons like
Rooney, Ronaldo, Nani, Anderson, Giggs, Eagles, Rossi, Solskaer, Saha
(when they are healthy), and Tevez (if/when he comes)? We all saw
what happened when he pushed up against Roma. I think the people who
should really be worried are Lampard and Gerrard because if the pairing
of Carrick and Hargreaves starts to click the way it is capable of
doing, McClaran would be stupid not to incorporate it into the England
midfield.
July 27th, 2007 at 19:58
no no no to say that giggsy and scholesy wont be playin a major role this season is pitiful, i agree that they will be slowly phased out the squad but not at the speed this blog and red ranter is talkin about, nani and anderson will evuantly come in, but as sir alex has stated in 1 of his press meetings, nani was a player united wnted to sign nxt year not this year but had to because of the competition, expect there to be rotation system used quite a bit but still with scholes bein the prime central midfielder and hargreaves and carrick being rotated giggs will continue to be our nmber 1 left sided winger nx season, however because of the additions of both nani and anderson, giggsy’s and scholes’ playin time will obviously be less thn lst season
July 27th, 2007 at 20:00
hargreves and carrick will still given chances to perform together and it will be more and more increasingly as the season comes to a close
July 27th, 2007 at 20:01
ps i agree with steve frm ca hargreaves and carrick is a mouthwatering prospect for england
July 27th, 2007 at 20:20
[Shera]
When did I ever say that Scholes will be phased out of the squad very soon? All I was saying is that Scholes being out gives SAF a golden opportunity to see first up how the partnership of Carrick-Hargreaves grows. That’s all. Scholes does have a BIG role to play this season and so does Giggs.
I said the partnership of Carrick and Hargreaves will eventually go some way to replace the void left by Keane and Scholes. But I didn’t say it will be done permanently this season itself.
[Nino]
I see Carrick as a different type of an ‘attacking’ midfielder. More the Pirlo/Xavi type of midfielder who can link up play nicely and set up our front four (I am talking of a 4-2-3-1) We can use his vision and long range of passing to good effect. I also said Carrick and Hargreaves to be deep lying midfielders, I don’t know where you saw me mention Carrick as an attacking midfielder. So while I say Carrick and Hargreaves to be able replacements for Scholes and Keane respectively, I don’t mean in the sense of them being “like for like” replacements.
[Steve]
You are right about the midfield combo (if it does well) being incorporated into England, but I am not too much of a fan of England. So I deliberately let that pass in my article
July 27th, 2007 at 20:26
Everyone else, the reason I termed it as a ‘blessing’ is because of the strength in depth we have in our squad at the moment and the options available to Fergie to test our young uns early on. I know it may terribly backfire, but it does provide them with stern tests that – if they do succeed – would be more valuable than the occasional Carling cup run out against League two opposition.
July 27th, 2007 at 21:00
@steve from ca
even if the patnership of carrick and OH does work well for united IMO it would not work so well for england as they have shit wingers and only 1 decent striker in rooney, where would all the attacking flair come from?!? both OH and carrick are defensive midfielders naturally and the reason they would work well for united is because they can spread the ball well to our attacing players: ronlado rooney giggs nani ?tevez? but this would not work in the case of england
July 28th, 2007 at 0:14
I think the patnership of Hargreaves and Carrick, is similiar to that of pirlo and gattuso,an engine room with every quality. I can also see us playing a similiar formation as ac milan, which is the same as barcelona too. 1 striker, 3 attacking midfielders and 2 defensive midfielders. With all the players interchangable at any time they will cause havoc.
July 28th, 2007 at 0:47
ollie, excellent point. Truth be told, I am not an England fan as I live in the
USA. But we still see almost all the England games on TV
July 28th, 2007 at 0:54
sorry, there was some sort of error with that post and i didn’t finish…
We see a lot of the english games on tv here and if Carrick/Hargreaves works the way it should,
I would wanna see as much of those two as I could. Maybe the combination will
work better if/when Lennon improves. But until then, I must say that it seems
as if England is turning in the US national team due to the increasingly rigid
style they play. For the longest time, the US has played the ugliest style of soccer
you could imagine and its a shame that another team is beginning to follow that
trand. I just hope we start getting more Portugal games so I don’t have to
watch anymore USA-brand soccer from Europe.
July 28th, 2007 at 7:54
So were now counting on injuries for a great team. Sad. Really sad.
July 28th, 2007 at 7:56
[k9]
It’s a case of moving on, my friend, or rather the opportunity it presents to us. And no, I don’t hate Scholes.
July 28th, 2007 at 7:59
oi btw, jow do i post here?
July 28th, 2007 at 9:35
I think they could work for England aswell, I can already see us lining up for next years Euro Championships with McLaren trying to copy Fergie….
Robinson
Neville Rio Terry Cole
Hargreaves Carrick
Lennon J.Cole Walcott
Rooney
Leave Lamps, Gerrard and Owen on the bench!
July 28th, 2007 at 9:44
Going back to earlier comments, I think Carrick and Hargreaves will work well together in our engine room and compliment the way we now play football, but Scholes is still the main man in the middle of the park and I think he will play the majority of games for us this year, along with Giggs. It will be interesting to see how Nani and Anderson cope coming into the side and how long it takes them settle and get used to the English League. But I tell you what they are going to be fantastic impact subs!!
August 5th, 2007 at 1:33
I hope Heinze stays – best defensive full back in the world.
I’ve seen Anderson play – very good player. I hope he gets a fair chance and not the last 5 mins of every match. If any offer over 2.5 million comes in sell Silvestre.
I think Carrick is way over rated. Play Scholes 2 in 3 games and Anderson 1 in 3 because Scholes is old and Anderson is a good player but not yet the finished article. Pique is full of potential – great in the air. Fletch will struggle to get games this year and Ole Gunnar will very rarely play.
This is my #1 and #2 United teams for next year
Gk van der Sar
Rb Gary Neville
Lb Gabriel Heinze
Cb Nemanja Vidic
Cb Rio Ferdinand
Rm Cristiano Ronaldo
Lm Nani
Def Mid Owen Hargreaves
Att Mid Paul Scholes
Fc Carlos Tevez
Fc Wayne Rooney
#2
Gk Ben Foster
Rb John O’Shea
Lb Patrice Evra
Cb Wes Brown
Cb Gerard Pique
Rm Ji-sung Park
Lm Ryan Giggs
Def Mid Michael Carrick
Def Mid Darren Fletcher
Att Mid Anderson
Cf Louis Saha
United will win the title – bought well. The only challengers are Chelsea and they’re going to sell their best player Arjen Robben. Liverpool and Arsenal aren’t real contenders.
This year we’ll challenge in Europe – we finally have skill in the middle – Anderson, Tevez.
August 8th, 2007 at 10:07
Great news on scholes he has been named in the squad for the game against dunfermillin 2night!!!