Nov 01
Neville Returns (Hopefully) | An Unnecessary Friendly At Saudi Arabia
In the build up to the Arsenal game there remains, in the midst of all the heated discussions we’ve had, a few key components of our team.
So today is about them. Well, Carrick has been discussed by many of you, fellow readers, but it is still worth mentioning on the site, once more.
Anyway, today marks the day where Neville, hopefully, ends his two week absence from full fitness routine and gets some playing time. For the reserves, of course.
The skipper will make a return for the reserve team against Stockport county. But it also looks likely that he will be in the squad for the Arsenal game. His situation certainly poses a question to the boss. As Gary himself put it:
“I’ve made myself available, but with the way that Wes Brown is playing, it might be a case of easing me back in over the space of a couple of weeks.
He couldn’t be more right. Brown has filled in the gap admirably well. While he doesn’t necessarily bomb down the wings like Neville does, he keeps things simple and tight at the back, being a natural defender himself. He is improving all the time. But the presence of Neville in the side brings back his value as a leader on the pitch. Especially in big games. Now with Scholes out and Giggs not a really imposing character on the pitch, apart from his runs, Neville is the experience, along with Rio, that can get the team going when the chips are down.
But with his long time out of the side, wouldn’t Arsenal be a little too early? Especially given he plays his first match about 48 hours before meeting the Gooners at the Emirates. It is a question that will test SAF, but at the end, I believe, he will pretty much stick with the same back four (if Evra is fit) he’s used, to good effect, so far.
Carrick, is also in training for a while now. It must be remembered that he had fractured his elbow. So if his need was so acute, he could bite the bullet and be made to play. But of course, we seem blessed by the presence of Anderson, who stepped up very well in the absence of, first, Hargreaves and, then, Scholes to give us the feeling that the squad was in the best of health all throughout.
Carrick, though is a good footballer. Despite the stick he seems to get from people, I, for one, like the player. On good, or even average, days he doesn’t give the ball away. He was singularly responsible for the ball retention that helped us to go on to score tons of goals last season. He doesn’t always go for the spectacular which makes people lose sight of him on the pitch. But that’s what he did last season.
This season, he seemed a little lost because of the lack of clarity on his role in the team. Clearly Owen Hargreaves was the defensive midfielder. Which meant that he was going to be groomed to be in a more advanced role. However, alongside Scholes, his role wouldn’t be all that clear because of the deep role that Scholes himself prefers to play these days. Because of this, they get in each others’ ways. I really don’t think Carrick alone has been poor. And it would be unfair on our part to pass judgements on him so soon.
Moving on, we’ll end things on a little sour note. The Guardian reported a couple of days ago that we were planning to go to Saudi Arabia for a friendly… wait, hold your breath… in January! I know, I know. I haven’t heard of a sillier decision than this since heaven knows when. The friendly game is a testimonial for the Saudi legend Sami Al Jaber. Now he may be great in his country and all that. But it is a testimonial game, for crying out loud! Couldn’t that wait till, I don’t know, off the top of my head… the summer? Just after the season gets over. But then there is the also the Euro 2008 (do we care?). But January is certainly not the time for going out on friendlies at some other part of the globe that is many miles away.
January is a crucial month for us because we wouldn’t be losing players to the African Nations’ Cup. It is the time where we ought to swoop in and take advantage of slip ups made by our rivals. It is certainly not the time to fly out of town for the sake of a million pounds. Yes, it’s just a million; and that is just a drop in the ocean that is the ‘Glazer debt’.
Related items from Red Rants:- Man Utd 1-2 Man City: City Do the Double
- Will United Meet Great Expectations?
- Reading 0-2 United: Rooney, Ronaldo Keep United Top
- Would You Be Happy With Tevez’s Five?
- Future Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand named England skipper
Tags: Daily Roundup
November 1st, 2007 at 11:06
I got mad when I heard about the game. Far as I know the game was offered to Barca ahead of
us but they refused it, due to security reasons.
What makes more money concentrating on the league and being champions, or doing trip for some fast
cash to the middle-east? Short sighted decision if this is true. SAF would surely be pissed, I
mean they don’t even know who that guy is lol
I could send Dong and the reserves.
But anyway I’m still not sure if it is scheduled.
November 1st, 2007 at 14:45
who gives a rat’s ass about sami al jaber? and who the hell is he anyway?
November 1st, 2007 at 15:28
Brown must remain in the starting line-up on Saturday because it would be unreasonable to put Gary Neville straight back. Probably on the 75th minute, SAF can bring on Neville for Brown so that the captain can have a feel of the top flight soccer again. Then he should come on a little bit earlier during our next game against Blackburn. The earliest he should start for us ought to be the Bolton game. Meanwhile, I have heard that Steve Mclaren will keenily be watching tonight’s friendly match to observe Gary now that Micah Richards got injured during the Carling cup match against Bolton. But, honestly, are England that desperate as to rush back Neville straight from the injury? If SAF cannot rush him back at United, why Mclaren? Why shouldn’t the English boss do with Brown instead?
November 1st, 2007 at 16:19
Steve is desperate and having more defensive option is always more secure. Anyway, I don’t think Neville can make much of an impact as he lacks match fitness.
November 1st, 2007 at 16:27
sami al ja who? again……….
November 1st, 2007 at 17:08
I for one am happy to finally see the return (or so I’ve read) of our captain and leader Gary Neville. Now we can overlap and probe deeper down the wing and actually see some decent crossing into the box. But,(and there’s always got to be but) I have gotten used to Wes Brown steady if not spectacular play in that position. I’ll even go out on a limb and make the claim that although Brown is not as good an attacker option as Neville, he is more solid defensively. There I said it. Now I hope I don’t burn in Hell for it.
Sami Al Jaber eh? Well the brainchild in the public relations department of the club who agreed to this match and actually got some one higher to agree to it, SHOULD BE FRAKKEN SHOT, and the he should get the sack. Why did United not cancel or decline from participating in this friendly? It can’t be the money. Something else is at work here.
November 1st, 2007 at 17:55
Red Ranter: I think your blog is tops, and admire your restraint and ince when you comment on ManU players. But why are you so negative about England’s national team? In Canada, as crazy as we are about our hockey teams, the national team comes first. It’s our pride as a hockey nation to be seen as he best in the world, or bloodey well die trying. Isn’t it the same with football for you guys? Or are you so down on England as a soccer power, that you’ve given up?
Why the anti-England stance?
November 1st, 2007 at 20:26
That is because he is a glory hunter from Asia, who has been supporting united in thick… and since supporting united means he is supporting the best he supports united. If it was the scousers ruling.. he would have supported them obviously.
But I think England has to qualify. Even for the glory hunters, it is important that their stars like rooney have to be noticed for fif pro awards and other stuff and they get the recognition during these tournaments.
November 1st, 2007 at 20:40
David: I can’t speak for Redranter but I will tell you what I think of the England team. A complete and utter waste of space and time. Once every 2 years the England roadshow comes into town and it’s St Georges flags everywhere, England are going to win the world cup and everyone is expected to get behind the ‘boys’.
This is despite the fact that the national team frequently lends players and returns them injured with no compensation (Rooney, G Nev), saps player’s energy and often causes vast inflation in their transfer prices (Hargreaves).
International football also disrupts a clubs momentum during the season with pointless breaks for friendlies (i.e. this March coming) and wrecks the summer breaks for our players. They are also frequently rushed back from injury for tournaments, compromising their performance in the next club season (Heinze, Rooney, Beckham).
The English media and fans turn players into pariahs for the national teams failings (Ronaldo, Beckham, Rooney, P Nev) and fans hurl abuse at Utd players despite the fact that they are the best in the country in their position (G Nev), or are being completely wasted by a clueless coach (Scholes playing on the left wing under Sven).
Add the above to the fact that the quality of international football has plummeted (the remnants of this can be seen with the phrase ‘international class’, CL football is now of a much higher standard) and you can see why I don’t really care anymore. In international weeks all I am interested in is the performance and injury status of United players not how their countries are getting on. Club football is my bread and butter, international I am happy enough to watch but I wouldn’t really care if internationals completely disappeared.
November 1st, 2007 at 20:58
[David Staples]
There are a lot of things about them that makes me unhappy. The whole hype machine that encompasses the English national team annoys me to no end. The way they were painted as being among the greatest team to play is a little too much for me. I don’t hate England as such. I really don’t hate any international team. While I do appreciate teams that play a beautiful brand of football like Argentina and Brazil, I also liked the organization and discipline that saw Germany win Euro ‘96 when they beat England in the semis. (I did feel sorry for that English team, though.) But none of the international teams evoke too much of passion or sentiment in me. Not these days. There used to be an old world charm to internationals not so long ago.
I do have teams that I love watching but I guess they don’t evoke the same kind of feelings that United does.
[Pure English]
Your comment was allowed here because it certainly was amusing to see another glory hunter accusation. Clearly you know a lot about me, so I guess you know that I am going to become a Madrid or Barcelona fan (depending on whoever wins the la liga title), no? Or of course, I should have actually been a Liverpool fan because they made it to two champions league finals in recent times (which according to many is the Ultimate glory piece.) while we were unceremoniously dumped out of one. Or of course Chelsea and Arsenal who denied us titles by winning titles on the trot, while we sat there chewing our nails and taking the token Carling Cup. What a stupid glory hunter I am!
Unfortunately I wasn’t even born when United were relegated by Denis Law’s goal in 73/74, or I would have known what I was getting into. I was, as you say, blinded by the glory of watching United’s kids lose to Aston Villa in the summer of ‘95.
Oh well, who am I kidding? I agree with you wholeheartedly, sir. I guess it will make you feel happy about it that you are, indeed morally above all for supporting your local club through thick and thin. After all, our lives are governed by such morals, no?
November 1st, 2007 at 21:00
Oh, and JB has said some more of the stuff I wanted to say about the England team. Well said mate.
November 1st, 2007 at 21:16
David; I too am from Canada and I concur with your remarks about our passion for Team Canada and how that means more than anything. Well at least during the Olympics. As for England I am in agreement with JB on this one. If the Team England operation was any other business it would be shut down for selling faulty products to it’s customers. They constantly overrate their chances and lets be honest, England doesn’t turn out enough world class performers to make up an awesome national side that can take on the world and win. And when they do turnout great players they are all at the same position. England also play a very old fashioned and antiquated style that just doesn’t cut it against top international sides.
As JB hinted, England are only International Class where teams like Argentina, Brazil, Germany, France and Italy are World Class. Our league may be one of the top leagues in the world but that is due to their open border policy for foreign talent. I doubt the EPL would have such a high standing without the Ronaldo’s, Drogba’s, Torres’, Cech’s, Essien’s, Elano’s, Tevez’ etc of the league. Lets face it, England only has Rooney, Terry, Rio, Lampard and Gerrard as true World Class talent. That’s just not good enough. They also have to look for established and reputable managers who have strong international reputations instead of low grade choices like McClaren.
Personally speaking, they deserve to be stuck in the toilet where they have placed themselves. Until they completely overhaul the governing body known as the FA, England will suffer. Hopefully they will get their shite together by 2014.
November 1st, 2007 at 23:50
I think it is fair to say that England are overrated. But at the same time, when you look at the squad on paper, how can you not expect them to do well? JB, you said that the ECL is a better quality, but look at four of the better teams in the competition: United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool. The England side is full of players from these teams. Of course there is quality from the foreign players alongside them, but why is it that, for example, Rooney is one of the best strikers in the world but is much more impressive for his club?
McClaren isn’t good enough for the job, but who else was going to take it? We could have had Big Phil, but we have the press to blame for that one..
November 2nd, 2007 at 0:15
England are just completely overrated. They have players in some positions that sometimes can’t get into their club teams and then are branded as ‘world class’ and then come third in a group in which the big hitters are Croatia. Then of course the manager is blamed for everything while no one would bat an eyelid if Gerrard or Terry had a shit game. They have individuals who are more in control of the team than the manager is. Steve McLaren isn’t a terrible manager, he got Middlesbrough to the UEFA cup final ffs. That said he is not the right man for the job. However nobody wants the job due to the treatment of the manager by the media and their own fans. I have gone into a state of not caring about Ireland or international football because the organisations that run the national team is just a shambles and despite a group of premiership players not being able to beat Cyprus the whole country blames the manager.
November 2nd, 2007 at 0:18
Sorry folks this is going to be a long one as it’s a topic I find very interesting.
Betfair Kid: Firstly have to correct you there, I said CL (i.e. Uefa Champions League) was of a higher level than international football. You still occasionally hear some in the media ask if players are international class when said player has performed at CL level. I find this ludicrous; if you can play well in the Champions League then you should have no bother with international football which in my opinion slipped below the CL standards in the past decade. Personally I have to say that the last international tournament that I regarded as being at a consistently high standard was Euro 2000. That’s not to say international football is incapable of producing good moments or matches. In fact two of my favourite matches in recent years were the Czech Republic 3-2 Holland at Euro 2004 and Italy 2-0 Germany in the World Cup 2006.
As for the rest of your post I find the situation an interesting phenomenon. Why do players that are so highly rated at club level, perform so poorly at international level? Personally I believe that the culture of British football (i.e. winning is the most important thing, size and strength over technique) has created a generation of footballers without technique. If I was to mark players out of 10 for technique, skil, composure, ability in possession and confidence on the ball then there would be far too many 5’s, 6’s and 7’s for my liking. The only people I would be handing out 9’s to would be Rio, Rooney, J Cole and maybe, just maybe, at a stretch Carrick.
This isn’t really an issue at club level because you can surround the English players with more technically adept foreign players to make up for their deficiencies. In return the English players complement the ‘fancy-dan’ foreigners with often superior strength and pace. Personally I find Gerrard and Lampard there prime example of this, fine players in their own right but give them ball in the middle of the park under pressure and they look out of their depth. In recent years I have seen sides like Russia, Croatia, Macedonia, Paraguay and Equador (all teams we would consider inferior to England) play superior possession football when facing England. Now I’m not saying England need to be at the standard of Argentina or Barcelona, but they have got to the point where they are barely even (if at all) competent at ball retention.
November 2nd, 2007 at 0:52
JB; I totally agree with your assessment of international football and of the caliber of English players and how they rate in comparison to South American elite players and the European continent’s best.
There is an ice hockey term we use to describe the kind of player who lacks real skill but works hard and makes up for their lack of skill and finesse through hard work and determination. They are called MUCKERS AND GRINDERS. If you take out Wayne Rooney, a healthy Michael Owen, Theo Walcott and perhaps Frank Lampard on a good day, you are left with a team loaded with muckers and grinders. To beat Italy, Germany, Brazil, Argentina and France, you need more skill and finesse on the ball. They have technique, individual skill as well as size and strength in many cases. All England can conjure up is size, strength and determination. Sorry but that’s just not going to do against the big teams.
To improve the National Team England have to develop young players better by emphasizing skills and individual techniques while still teaching the others. Trust me when I say that Ronaldo, Lio Messi and Ronaldinho never learned their incredible skills by passing and sharing the ball. They played with the ball by themselves before they were introduced to a more team oriented philosophy.
We also have to dismantle the FA in it’s present infrastructure as it is run by a bunch of old men and women who are full time politicians and part time football fans. Get smart, visionary and savvy football minds running the show. And hire coaches from the top nations wh know how to build a solid team with stronger tactics and work habits. Look to Germany or France as they are most closely compared with us in style. I can only imagine how great England could become with someone like Juergen Klinsmann and his coaching philosophies running the team.
November 2nd, 2007 at 8:12
Sami Al jaber has played in every world cup saudi arabia has been to since 1990 or 1994..not sure. he’s arguably the best striker asian football had ever seen(between him and ali daei of IRAN). One game in arabia is really not that far away. Don’t be so xenophobic. It’s only about a 7hr flight. It’ll be the same as one of our american players(when we had them) going to play for the states…in the states. Decades ago..that might have been a problem..but not these days with the quick flights available and the training regimen these guys go through.
November 2nd, 2007 at 8:29
Red Ranter - you are getting late man? Tomorrow’s is supposed to be the greatest clash for Man U in 2007 and you have not changed the topic so that we can start ranting specifically on that game. Please hurry up! Tommorow’s game needs to be ranted on for at least 36 hours. I will expect even the Arsenal fans to poke their noses in this blog and make their comments. I am waiting……
November 2nd, 2007 at 15:52
Curse the heavens if united send the team to Saudi Arabia. Its the crunch time in the premiership amd we dont want people coming back with unneccesary injuries and fatigue. Glazers should gt their money elsewhere of if they are so desperate for the one mil they can ask ronaldo and co to do charity, they have overloaded bank accounts.
On another note, Butterflies have started creepin in and its like 21hrs(my local time) away to the game
IS EVRA FIT?
November 2nd, 2007 at 23:20
JB, i understand where you are coming from. I agree, players should have no problem at international level if they are capable at CL - though this must be a decent CL team.
I also know where you are coming from regarding the physical attributes over technical. A friend of mine was snapped up for a club side, not because of his football, but because he was tall and fast. He was no better than anyone else in the side. This is all well and good but it can all go wrong in the long run. The best players are the ones that have this and good technical ability. This is where I feel foreign teams benefit. For example, Brazil and Portugal who are producing players like Ronaldo who can beat anyone on the pitch by pace and also from sheer skill.
Another example; take Errikson’s response the other week. When he was asked why he could not do the kind of job he has done with City at Englad he responded “because England do not have players like Elano”.
November 3rd, 2007 at 0:41
That comment was a bit rich from Sven considering he had Scholes at his disposal and decided to play him on the left wing to accomdate Golden Bollocks, Fat Frank and Stevie Me.
November 7th, 2007 at 17:41
Totally agree JB that Eriksson had Scholes at his disposal and really he failed to use him to his best ability. Instead he decided to bring in Lampard in his place who has the ability only to smash the ball and hope for deflections from 30-yards (I know that is not exactly accurate but you get the point).