Feb 26
United’s Midfield Dilemma
Pick up a piece of paper, and write down United’s best XI. Picks itself, mostly, doesn’t it? You might be in the Giggs or the Nani camp for the left wing, but I’d bet my bottom dollar that 8 of the names down will appear on everyone’s list. The remaining two? Only the small matter of our central midfield partnership.
This is something that has elicited a lot of discussion in the comment sections recently. I don’t pretend to have the answer or anything approaching it, but what I’d like to do is present my take on the conflicting views and then give you my opinion. Which you can then rip apart (or try to!) in the comments.
As I see it, there are four players (despite Fletcher’s valiant performances recently, he’s never going to be a regular first choice), two general approaches and one big complicating factor. Let’s look at each in turn, and then try to draw the strands together.
The four contenders
All ranked in what I think are the key aspects: Tackling, Ball Retention (I’m thinking here about how well he keeps the ball under pressure, and also pass completion rate), Creativity (what he’s adding to the team going forward), Goal-scoring. I’ve also noted some other relevant points at the end of each.
Paul Scholes
Tackling – 3/10 – has always been dreadful, and is too old to improve now!
Ball Rentention – 10/10 – always seems to have time and space, regardless of pressure, and rarely misplaces a pass.
Creativity – 7/10 – prompts constantly by using the ball quickly and intelligently, but doesn’t crop up in as advanced positions as he used to. Still capable of finding a magic through ball (Milan first leg for Rooney last season, anyone?)
Goal-scoring – 6/10 – again, doesn’t get forward as much as he used to but remains a big threat from range.
Other – getting older now, and you can see the difference in his pitch coverage (and consequently his goal return). Despite everything Fergie says, I can’t see him featuring regularly beyond next season. On his day, though, in a league of his own.
Owen Hargreaves
Tackling – 9/10 – what he was bought for, and what he’s best at.
Ball Rentention – 7/10 – doesn’t try the spectacular, just gives it to his more talented team mates.
Creativity – 4/10 – rarely gets far enough forward to make a difference, and his stock pass goes sideways.
Goal-scoring – 0/10 – not as yet, and with Ronaldo around he’s not going to get many free kicks either.
Other – one word: injuries; we’re not going to see what he’s capable of until he’s fit enough to play 10 games in a row.
Michael Carrick
Tackling – 7/10 – you don’t often see him go to ground, but his positional sense is good and he screens intelligently.
Ball Rentention – 8/10 – has learned a lot from Scholes, but isn’t up there with the master yet.
Creativity – 9/10 – he always looks to pass the ball forward first, and can pick those eye-of-the-needle passes which undo tight defences.
Goal-scoring – 4/10 – picked up the message last season that he needs to contribute, and can score from distance.
Other – a confidence player, who lapsed badly at the start of this season when he found himself dropped for a spell.
Anderson
Tackling – 7/10 – very aggressive hustler, never gives opponents a moment’s peace
Ball Rentention – 6/10 – more inclined to try flicks or dribbles which don’t come off, but not bad.
Creativity – 8/10 – the only one who can beat a series of players and who will play down the channels as well; very good support for the front players.
Goal-scoring – 2/10 – the floodgates must open soon…the potential’s certainly there.
Other – he’s good this season, so god knows what he could be eventually.
The two approaches
I can see arguments for each of these, but they are broadly:
1. Have a first choice pair, who play 75% of the games together, with others providing ability to rotate and cover for injury.
Pros – first choice pair develop instinctive understanding (Carrick and Scholes had this going on last year, as did our whole Treble-winning midfield – they didn’t even need to look up to know where their mate was going to be)
- consistency also benefits the rest of the team, who know exactly what’s coming from the centre of the park.
Cons – Doesn’t make full use of the talent pool and may cause players to leave
- injuries etc have a more disruptive effect
- see the reasons for option 2 below
2. Pick a partnership based on the match you’re going into.
Pros – can tailor the strengths of the individuals to the requirements of the game (eg Hargreaves for big games to shackle dangerous midfielders, Scholes in games where experience is judged key, etc)
- retains freshness
Cons – just look at Liverpool for the downsides of constant tinkering
- players play as individuals rather than a partnership
As I said at the beginning, I can see arguments for both…I’ll discuss further in my conclusion section.
The complicating factor
Is, of course, injury. Scholes has been out for most of the season so far (which has proved to be a blessing in disguise, since it has allowed Anderson to emerge), and Hargreaves has yet to start more than 2 games in a row. Even if Fergie had decided on a first choice pair, this sort of thing makes it very difficult to implement.
Conclusion
I wrote the above without having a strong idea of where I was going – I was as much musing to myself as anything. But I am going to stick my neck out and say that Carrick and Anderson should be our first choice pair for the majority of matches. My reasoning is as follows:
- They both add a huge amount going forward. I absolutely adore Carrick’s instinct to find a piercing ball forwards to feet – Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez are all good enough to receive this sort of ball with a man at their back and do something with it, and are equally likely to be making runs in behind. I think we will get a lot of goals from Carrick’s passing. Equally, Anderson is a good passer of the ball and a potentially superb dribbler (great upper body strength, a la Rooney) who can support the front players.
- They both do enough defensively. Most teams set up very tight against us, and we’re happy to go man-for-man at the back if needs be, so the attacking penetration is crucial (this is the key argument against Hargreaves, other than injury). Which is not to say they can’t come out on top in a midfield scrap, or hold their own in a physical game.
- Carrick – who is the more controversial choice – is a confidence player. Give him responsibility and a long run in the side and he seems to grow into it. He is also a big game player (witness the two Roma games last season, where he was superb in each leg – a defensive midfield masterclass in the first, and a game-bossing, two-goal performance in the second). What he is not going to be is a useful squad player like Fletcher.
- Both are young and not injury-prone – you really can see them playing 30 games a season with each other without disruption, and doing this for the next 5 seasons. Continuity really makes a difference.
I think the nod to flexibility is that in big games against teams with dangerous midfields, we can lose Giggs/Nani and include Hargreaves as a screen, with Anderson detailed to get up and support the Holy Trinity up front when we have the ball.
But what of Scholes? Well, he has a role to play, but he is past his best and seems to be increasingly injury-prone. He doesn’t make those runs into the box as much anymore, either. As an impact player, an experienced head in some big games and a great alternative he will be unbeatable…but I think his star is waning along with Giggsy’s.
So, here’s my plea to Fergie – start Carrick and Anderson in every game possible, and don’t let the embarrassment of riches at your disposal lead you into tinkering.
Related items from Red Rants:
- United’s debt situation explained
- So How Good Is Manchester United?
- United’s Road to Recovery Just Around the Corner
- Fast and hard, fast and hard.
- United’s £100k+ Christmas party, useless Shorey, Arsenal will stumble and of course, Rooney is better than Kaka
Tags: Manchester United News
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Sorry to disagre with the majority of you but Paul Scholes is first choice for me and would still be one of the first names on the team sheet. He is a class above the rest of the centre midfielders we have and whilst we will see Carrick and Anderson take over in the next couple of seasons Scholes is still the man. He was the 2nd best player in the league last season after Ronaldo but most of you seem to have forgotten that. He has barely been back a month from his knee injury but everyone is saying he as lost it! Absolute crap!
Then again you lot change your minds on players all the time so doesnt suprise me, u lot will be praising him soon no doubt….
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[Grognard]
I understand, although I didn’t write the article above — like someone else pointed out. That was where the confusion came from. Oh well, from my side though, I like Hargo.
[manuforlife]
Quit the trash talk, mate. Your personal attack on Grognard’s name was entirely unnecessary. And if you have been on this site earlier, he has pretty much made the inspiration behind his name clear — he is a Napolean fanatic, if my memory serves me right. And Grognard, I hope you wouldn’t need to respond to his attack, now that I’ve gotten the message across.
And everyone, there’s nothing wrong being a realist and saying that Scholes’ time at the club is numbered — as JB earlier said, Fergie does get misty eyed about his class of ’94 (with age). But trashing the ninja entirely is something I feel bad about. For fuck’s sake, if someone were to read this thread for the first time he’d think Scholes was a Djemba-Djemba!
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It amazes me how there are people out there who think my real name is Grognard. As if I don’t know what Grognard means. Big difference between Napoleon’s Grognards (The Old Guard) and Scholes is that they were the elite veteran soldiers saved for the end of every battle. Scholes is just old and ineffective in every battle. God love him but it’s time to hang up the cleats and take a seat next to the Grognard trashing the views of posts on this site that think too much with their hearts and not their minds. I wish some of you would wake the hell up and realize that it’s time for new blood at some positions and that we cannot live in 1994 forever.
About Hargreaves; Typical of JB to go looking for stats but the point is this, I’ve seen Hargreaves goals, and most of them were fantastic in quality. Anderson’s I haven’t seen and from what I have seen, he has a hard time hitting the side of a barn door from three feet.
Carrick also hasn’t scored a lot of goals because he is always busy passing the ball but the quality of many of his goals is of the highest order. If anyone out there has any video of Anderson not only scoring a goal, but scoring against good opposition then maybe I’ll give him a 1/10. Rating Hargreaves 3/10 and Carrick 4/10 in scoring is based upon their position and is not to be compared with a striker.
Red Ranter; Thanks to you I won’t respond to the childish attack from Manuforlife. And sorry I wasn’t reading carefully enough to notice you weren’t the author of the article. And finally, comparing Scholes to Djemba Djemba is woefully unfair and disservice to Djemba Djemba who was far superior in class. OK! OK! RELAX! I was only joking people. HA! HA! HA! All I’m saying is that I have detected some grey in the roots of the Ginger Ninja.
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Carrick holds the key.. he is an amazing passer of the ball and a good tackler.. he can score (he has scored the most among the four CM this season!!)… We should not overlook Fletcher too… even though he is an average player.. that guy has everything.. GOOD HEADING (sth only Ronaldo and Vidic provides), good in defence, versatile, passing….
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manuforlife – Stats are always good and no body said that Anderson is a bad player. He still has areas of improvement and will certainly be a better player one day.
If you go by stats you have to consider that
Hargreaves – played for Bayern (Europe/Bundesliga) – Central M – scored 10 goals
Carrick – played for West ham/Spurs/Utd(EPL) – Central M – scored 11 goals
If the information is correct, which i am not sure
Anderson – played for Gremio/Porto(Brazilian league/Portugese Liga) – Attacking M or Forward – scored 3 goals.
We have to read those stats on this basis. Moreover Hargo/Carrick was not brought to boost our goal scroing abilities. Carrick due to his creativity and experience in EPL. Hargreaves for his tenacity,engine and tackling ability. Everyone in a team has their role to play
Anderson has a role to play that in future he will be one of the stars in United midfield pushing an aging Carrick/Hargo onto the bench. But to reach there he still have to improve on lot many things. He had shown potential and Fergie dint pay 17m for fun….
I still admire Scholes just for one thing these 3 midfielders lack in or havent shown us yet..those long range screamers. He is so good at it and will always be…..
C.Ronaldo was also very weak in shooting when he came here in OT and look 3 seasons down he is topping the charts. Lets just wait and watch where things go.
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I disagree with this article and some of the comments here.
Football shouldn’t and cannot be reduced to a couple of simple statistics as if they can fully quantify a player’s ability and value to the team. Doing so risks over-simplying a player’s value and contribution to the team. It also fails to take into account other important, but less visible factors such as form, composure, experience. Even simple things such as language ability plays an important part in football. Those of you who play football regularly do know that communication on the pitch is important. It is highly possible that the reason why Fergie does not play Nani and Anderson as often as most fans would like is that both do not speak English well.
Another important attribute that has always been overlooked is leadership. It’s easy to pick a formation and say when you’re 2-0 or 3-0 up, bring on a lesser player. All managers would love to be in that situation. But the reality is that managers have to plan for a line-up that can come back from being 1 or even 2 goals down in the first 10-15 minutes of the game. Again, those of you who play football will know how demoralizing it is to play well and then concede a goal through a lapse of concentration. In these situations, it’s not simply throwing in another attacker. You need a leader on the pitch to be able to motivate the players and drive the team. Can Anderson and Carrick do that? I don’t know exactly but it doesn’t appear so given their limited language ability.
You also need players with experience to know how to remain composed, and keep playing, and not make rash decisions due to increasing frustration. Does Nani and Anderson possess enough experience do be able to do that? I don’t know but I would imagine that given a choice between Giggs and Scholes who have played for so many years and won plenty of titles under Fergie, and Nani and Anderson in their ‘rookie’ years with Man Utd, I think Fergie would favor players whom he has relied on in the past because the chances of them performing well under pressure is higher than not.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of Nani and Anderson’s footballing abilities and I’m sure they’ll turn out to be excellent players in the next 1-2 years. But I do think that Giggs and Scholes’ value have been underestimated simply because their value and contribution is not easily quantifiable and assessable by the average fan.
I hope people will start realizing that selecting a line-up is not as easy as it appears. It’s easy to put down 11 names on the team sheet – all of you are capable of doing that. The hard part is getting those 11 guys to do well on the pitch. The hard part is ensuring that those 11 guys can link up and play together as a team for 90 minutes under immense pressure in front of 70,000-plus fans. The hard part is ensuring that the rest of the 7-8 players left out continue to remain motivated, remain match fit, so that when they are called upon, they can perform at the highest level. And all this has to be done over a long season with 50-plus games and keeping up the consistency and trying to win every game. That’s what football management is about.
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In case anyone misunderstands – ‘statistics’ in my rant, refers to ratings given for passing, shooting, scoring, etc. Not JB’s statistics.
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Carrick and Anderson as our first choice partnership, throwing Hargreaves in if we require a three man midfield say in Europe. Seems a simple solution to the midfield dilemna.
The problem is how does Scholes fit in. In his prime he would have been untouchable. But he has deteriorated over the years. The loss of pace is less of an issue as it is not a huge part of his game, but I have noticed he does not get forward as much as he did in his prime, or score anywhere near as many, so the offensive part of his game is reduced.
But he is still a class act as he showed last season.
The real issue is he hasn’t hit top form this season, most likely because of his early injury, while Anderson and Carrick are the form players.
When he does hit top form it will be difficult to leave him out which is when the real dilemna starts!
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@ Nino; i hear what your saying i would probably play scholes in champions league final… but not giggs… atm he is giving the ball away far to much which is unacceptable.
@ RedRanter; Can understand what your saying about how us fans can be a fickle bunch, but you got to look at it from a Managers point of view… you play players in form and not on reputations. ATM Carricks hot and Scholes is not.
@ Grognard; Seen as though you have followed Bayern’s games can you please tell me if Lahm offers a great deal going forward? and is he tough in the tackle? Also seen Ajax v NAC on the weekend and i know you can’t judge a player on a few games but i just think Huntelaar is to slow for our team especially in the modern game and there really isn’t enough room in our team for an out and out striker who only scores goals and does nothing else in terms of chasing defenders, link up play ect… just a thought…
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[Shannon]
I mean, shouldn’t fans see things from fan’s perspective?
Fair enough. Then if we all fans start looking at it from a manager’s perspective, then who will be left to see it from a fan’s perspective?
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Getting a little crazy for me …
See it how you want to see it brother
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also @ Grumpy old Grognard; Favouring a player because they are from the same birth place as you is not racism. However i’m glad he plays for England rather than Canada. Canada suck as a footballing nation. *Note that isn’t being racist either you sensitive man.
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Some of those comments have left me scratching my head… but anyway i think moving along is the best thing to do. Ahh Carrick. My favourite person. I have to admit that I have started to take a little notice of carrick and not head straight to the bar when i see his name on the team sheet for an extra few misery pints. His goal against man city was smooth and a rather delightful finish. But at the moment im still thinking that he hasnt done, when the going is tough to truly win me over but i do see a bit more of what a lot people were ranting about earlier in the season. But maybe he has just seen the light and realised that more than 2 out of 10 passes must go forward for him to be effective. If this is the case then as someone mentioned earlier i think england will finally have a really good cm pairing as he will fit in well we gerrard, and allow the national team to play real football. There is a lot of hope in these sentences. But who knows…
Im quite mystified at the abuse Scholes and Hargreaves have both recieved. Both have been injured and are struggling for a bit of touch. Like Rooney, out of form for a small while and people are calling for heads. People please. Hargreaves is as good a cdm as there is currently in the world. Yes hes not quite match fit and not in top form but these will both come. The success of liverpool in the champions league in the last 2 years, a great example is against inter, is the role of mascherano. It hurts to say this but he is a fine yet still annoying player. Hargreaves offers more to the team than he does. Hargreaves will be huge for us. And paul scholes can and does offer our team a experienced camapigner. I think he needs to be saved for big games aka maldini. A well rested scholes who is able to find a bit of form is one of the most vital factors in our quest for 3 x success.
Our strongest midfield pairing atm, based on form would have to be carrick and anderson. But if we go a goal or 2 up against lyon i think owen should be put on to counter benzemas attacking poweress. Red ranter is right about fans flicking between players so quickly. Dont make rash decisions aka rooney should be sold, decide over a period of time, its never wise to write off experience.
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WoW ! The very matter of fact we are trying to analyze the best combo shows the quality of the 5 players …
Each one is unique and posses something totally different .
However Scholes IS THE ONE!
Many people here quote that he wont get upfront often etc . etc. It is like a Circle of Blame …
First Carrick then Nani then Fletcher then Hargo now the god Scholes ..
He may shoot less often however no one strikes better than him .. All he needs is just more time on the pitch then we can find some one else to blame ….
For all those Hargo haters , have u seen the Pool match ? He kept Torres silent the entire match . His body challenges and tackles are excellent .He just needs to have little more time and he will be back .. I still think Fergie will start with him and Andy against the Big3 and Ucl matches (Home)….
Grognard mate i agree with u with regards to Hargo`s shooting ability however i dont agree with ur take on Andy`s shooting.
The problem with Andy is that he as well as Fergie knows he is the Nitrous Oxide of our team .He is the ROoney of our Mid-field.The way he heads the ball to Rooney in the arse game even though Fabgas legs were after the ball shows the quality and commitment of the player.He always feels the need to push on ! His passes to Rooney in arsenal match were superb.Did u see the instinctive strike of a corner however it was direct at Lehman .However one thing is for sure he is a true world class player …
Fletcher may not be as good as the other 4 however as a mid-fielder he posses something which others don’t . Ability to cross and head the ball ..
However there are some cons in one way or other .
Andy – Over excited ! Feels the need to convert defense into attack with in a sec ! However this is also a great quality .. He just needs more time …
Carrick- He has to shoot more .. He has to improve on that department . However with the way our style of play is and that too with Nani upfront instead of Giggs i don’t see our Mid-fielders scoring a hell lot !
Hargo – True Class DM ! However if u see closely when he is in possession of ball in attack he covers a huge part of the ground before making a pass .. Occasional silly fouls outside the box like Evra
Fletcher – All the four are great ! This guy will become great ! His crosses are something to watch out for in the end of the season !
Scholes – He loves tackles
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Shannon; I’m sensitive? You basically accused me of siding with Hargreaves because he and I come from the same country. That was simply out of line. And you don’t have to tell me how bad Canada is as footballing nation. Nevertheless their are many like me who love the game and support clubs outside of Canada as well as nations. My two teams are Manchester United and Bayern and the nation I support is Germany. So throwing Canada in my face and calling me a homer regarding Hargo is just stupid and insulting. Still, I’m sure you didn’t mean to offend, but I thought I ‘d clear up your misconceptions about me and my allegiances.
Now regarding Lahm, obviously you don’t follow Bayern and you didn’t notice that Lahm was one of the best players at the last World Cup. He has great speed and dribbling ability, a good long passer and playmaker as well, he has an outstanding shot and has a lot of finesse to his game. He is a good if not excellent tackler but is outstanding at staying with his man. He can play world class at both LWB or RWB and is an adequate crosser of the ball. His pace and vision are his key attributes and only a habit of getting minor injuries should be seen as a negative. For me he is the best wingback in the world and can only get better.
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and at about 24 years old he would fit into Fergie’s age policy… It would seem he would fit in perfectly well as our RWB and if need be LWB as cover for Evra with Simpson coming in every time Evra is injured…
Midfield as we can all see if brimming with talent and i’m not so sure we will need to add a stiker given that Manuch could be anything.
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a team should be selected on recent form, carrick is on form and it would be unfair to not start him, scholes should earn his place back not that he daint get opportunities to do that.
lastly fergy should avoid the temptation of rotation jus for the sake of making individuals happy, we all know thats what has cost the dippers, so fergy should have a consistent starting 11..
and those who are of the thought that funs here are fickle, and changes with whatever direction the wind blows, should know that all we are asking for is for a team that will perform, not individuals who get played because they are old gurads or whateva else you guyz keep on saying, and it should be known that we have nothing personal against giggz or scholes, is only that we feel jus like carrick has proved he can play and play well, they should also do rthe same, not expect to be played jus to break some record..
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HERE HERE!!
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[manutd jaluo]
That’s your opinion mate. But a lot of fans are fickle. Not just United fans, but fans in general. It’s in our very nature. But then I digress. Oh well, to each one his own.
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RR,, YO right, its my opinion..and i ges thats why am entitled to it and i got the freedom to post it..my opinion as well as yours, may not be right.
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(Grognard)
Lahm is excellent going forward but he isn’t the best at defending. He’s certainly not excellent at staying with his man.
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Fergie keep tinkering. It wins trophies, when you have a lot of squad depth
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i think that some of you have written off scholesy far too soon. yes just like giggs, he is on the decline. but he certainly has alot more to offer. unlike in the past, he doesn’t get forward as much as we would like, but as a carrick ‘supporter’ i dare say scholesy’s passing and vision is still better than that of carricks.
perhaps like hargo, hes season has been disrupted with injuries and surgery, but its just a matter of time and getting games under their belt that they come good for us once again.
Hargo has shown, not only during his time at bayern, but also during the start of this season, that he can be a class act for us. for me, he was the man of the match in the games he played, that is before he went in and out due to injuries.
as for scholesy, he was one of the best player last season. he is class. i have to agree hes form recently have been nothing near to what he is capable of producing. but i have absolutely no doubt he will be a match winner or the vital key for us at some point from now til the end of the season.
to be honest, i felt insulted when people can tag him as ‘the back pass kid’. im sorry but thats rubbish.
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Tevez; You may caught a few isolated case of Lahm not keeping up on his opponent but I for one believe he is very good at one on one marking, especially if it’s a speedy opponent. It’s his tackling that needs more work as he is not physical enough and thus, bigger and taller players sometimes have their way with him as they do with Evra. He keeps crosses from coming in to the box well too. Sorry but I have to disagree a bit. Still, I keep reading that United are also interested in Bosingwa too. He would come cheaper with less competition from other clubs. I wouldn’t mind. As much as I love United, I am also a Bayern supporter and I’d prefer to see Lahm stay put under Klinsmann. If he does go though, I hope it is to OT.
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I have seen enough of lahm to know he’s not the best defender. He is very small and at his weight i wouldn’t expect him to go into 50-50 tackles. The problem is that i simply don’t think he’s a good defender. Look at clichy for arsenal. He is the best left back in the premiership and is a quality defender. He isn’t particularly well built but there’s not many people get past him. I also think gary neville is a better player than lahm anyway, as is evra.
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Tevez from that last comment, it seems you are judging him on physical appearance rather than actual defensive ability, and I’m fairly sure you don’t watch as many Bayern Munich matches as Grognard and although you may have seen him play plenty of times for Germany in the World Cup etc. you don’t have the first-hand experience of how good Lahm is that Grognard does. Lahhm would bring alot to our team that we are missing right now in the RB position – pace, crossing ability, shooting ability and stamina; he’s like a young Gary Neville who can shoot, and I think he’s our best option for buying a new right back, because I actually took an interest in Bosingwa’s games and he seems to be a good defender and an even better attacker, but he’s not as good as Lahm.
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Redd75 mentioned a very notable point about experience of players.
So it would be ok to start one veteran of the two in question, Scholes and Giggs, and keep the enthusiasm and pace of the youth.
Preferably I’d prefer to see Scholes starting as though he’s performance levels are slowly dipping, it’s not as obvious as it is in the case of Giggs.
Its good that Giggs has started the coaching courses thing. It might be that even him is acknoledging at some level that he’ll soon be leaving the game.
Once again, observing that players are not playing well, or as well as they should be, is not “slating”. Scholes and Giggs are footballing [insert superlatives] and it seems to me the day when they finally retire people will be queuing up to laud modern legends.
It will not be a disgrace to use them more and more sparingly.
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Conor, no i’m dismissing his physical appearance – it doesn’t bother me that he is not tall or strong and go into 50-50 tackles. That’s fine. It is his actual defensive ability that is suspect. Like i said, i’ve seen enough of him to make judgement. After you’ve seen a player enough you get an idea of how he plays. Also, i don’t trust grognards judgement.
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as for me i would pick carrick anderson and hargreaves to play a 3 midfield formation with anderson supporting 3 attackers consisting of tevez rooney and ronaldo.hoho..ronaldo can attack from the right or been given free role or all of the 3 attackers have a free role..i think even barca can’t contain us if SAF opts to play this..hoho
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Hargo is only useful when we play strong attacking teams, otherwise he’d be shit. yes he breaks up play really well, including his own team’s.
thats the sad fact
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