Season Review: The Midfield …
Fergie has flashed the cash to buy Nani and Anderson for £30 million and may now be under pressure from the Glazer family to recoup some of that outlay with a few sales of his own.
AbsolutelyUNITED looks at the players who won the title last season, to see who might be for the Old Trafford exit …
Appearances : 44
Goals : 6
The winger collected his ninth Premiership winner’s medal after a season in which he reinforced his reputation as a legendary wing craftsman. He emerged too, as the soul of United, a frequent spokesman for the team, befitting his status as a veteran.
Giggs was dazzling in the early stages of the campaign until injuries against Tottenham and Celtic seemed to take some of the fizz out of his game.
As the years advance, Giggs is less and less the orthodox winger and is often deployed further in field by the manager, particularly in European games, to mixed reviews. He doesn’t score enough goals these days to be completely unworried about the threat to his place and can not be counted on to perform three times a week.
But when he does play, Giggs is still capable of the sublime, as demonstrated in the away match against Wigan and in European home games against Roma and AC Milan
AU rating: 7/10
Sale Rating : 2/10
Paul Scholes
Appearances : 44
Goals : 7
An outstanding midfield operator, excellent in everything except tackling. The rebirth of Scholes has been remarked upon elsewhere in these pages but it needs repeating that the former international was under some pressure as the season began after what was, by his standards, a couple of lacklustre years.
Scholes has put that period behind him now, piloting United forward with masterclass displays of the midfield arts.
The volleyed goal in the away match against Aston Villa, direct from a corner, will be replayed for years. The goal that put United back into contention in the home match against Blackburn, is another moment of class to be cherished.
Sir Alex recognised that he had no squad cover for Scholes and has prudently planned for the future by bringing in Anderson from FC Porto. If the Brazilian lives up to his billing, he could ease the home-grown genius from the first team within three years. But Anderson will need to be as good as his reputation suggests because Scholes is an immense act to follow.
AU rating: 9/10
Sale Rating : 1/10
Michael Carrick
Appearances : 50
Goals : 6
The former Spur can be well satisfied with a first year that saw United win the title and progress in Europe. Carrick enjoyed his best-ever goal-scoring success too and earned rave reviews for his performance in the demolition of Roma.
That said, there remain question marks concerning the player’s ability to control matches. Steven Howard’s jibe in the Sun newspaper that Carrick is not a player who “hurts the opposition,” struck many as genuine observation of Carrick’s first year at United.
Dominate the midfield to dominate the game, goes the mantra and Carrick did play his part as Scholes’ able lieutenant. His positional play encourages and his eye for a pass is worthy, if not on a par with Scholes, Hoddle or Brady.
But Carrick’s best games occurred within great United performances. Rare was the time that he stood out, or carried the fight when those around him sunk.
Less discretion and more authority will be expected next term, when there can be no excuses about needing time to settle. With Hargreaves available to do much of the defensive patrolling and tackling, Carrick, 26, may add to his goal tally.
Still, the jury is out. Carrick is not the new Scholes and is not the new Keane. Fans need to know exactly who he is and fast.
AU rating: 6/10
Sale Rating : 3/10
Ji Sung Park
Appearances : 20
Goals : 5
Former boss Guss Hidink predicted Park would be a bench-monkey and has proved to be more knowing than the Korean midfielder dares admit.
Last season, Park improved as a goalscorer and demonstrated the bustling energy that is his trademark. But he rarely got a run in the side before falling injured.
Sir Alex has said that United is “a bus that waits for no-man.” With Nani, Giggs and Ronaldo all available for selection as a left winger, Park must be impatient for next season’s return from injury.
AU rating: 5/10
Sale Rating : 3/10
Darren Fletcher
Appearances : 37
Goals : 3
Another player likely to be flattened by the irrestistible search for improvement at Old Trafford.
Fletcher’s goal at Charlton early in the season, augured well for the campaign. Indeed, when called upon, Fletcher was generally competent and congratulated for his late goal at Middlesbrough last winter and overall performances against Roma and at home to Milan.
But Fletcher is going backwards as Sir Alex seeks to take United forward. The arrival of Hargreaves is yet more proof that the manager believes the central midfield berth that Fletcher craves is beyond him.
Publicly, Fletcher is confident about his United future. It is in his favour that Sir Alex will not want to deplete his midfield stock too greatly next term, so as to nurture the potential of Anderson and Nani.
Yet, it cannot be long now before Fletcher understands that he has failed to push on since his breakthrough in 2004. Premiership middleweights such as Everton, Sunderland, Middlesbrough or Bolton could offer a greater welcome.
AU rating: 5/10
Sale Rating : 6.5/10
John O’Shea
Appearances : 48
Goals : 5
The player is shaping up as Fergie’s new Phil Neville, the ‘Martini’ player willing to take the field anytime, anyplace, anywhere.
Goalkeeper, fullback or holding midfield, the Irishman is ready for the task. His versatility was an asset, especially when United were plagued by injuries. His goals were a bonus too. Anfield last March deserves the most honourable of mentions.
O’Shea has done enough to play on at Old Trafford but on a personal level, is fast approaching a moment of truth – main player or bit part? Go or stay?
AU rating: 6/10
Sale Rating : 5.5/10
Chris Eagles
Appearances : 1
Goals : 1
The arrival of Nani and Anderson is more bad news for the United midfielder. Another loan deal would be pointless. The United ship has sailed. Time to move on.
AU rating: 5/10
Sale Rating : 8/10
David Jones
Appearances : 2
Goals : 0
Failed to make the grade at United but now has the chance with Derby to show Fergie what an extended run might have accomplished.
AU rating: 4/10
Sale Rating : er..10/10
Kieran Richardson
Appearances : 24
Goals : 3
According to the media, the queue for Richardson’s services grows ever longer despite a calamitous year in United’s colours. West Ham, Portsmouth, Bolton and Everton, are all said to be keen on the winger who has rarely produced for United despite every encouragement so to do.
Last season was Richardson’s best hope and last chance of achieving success with the club he joined as a boy. Giggs’ form dip, accompanied by Park’s injury, left the way free and clear for Richardson to lay a claim to automatic selection.
That he failed and did so miserably, was of little shock to United fans who have waited and waited and waited to see why Richardson had earned excellent notices at West Brom and counted himself among the best 25 English players in the country, on the authority of England coaches Sven Goran Erikkson and Steve McClaren.
The employment of Nani and Anderson means the waiting is over.
AU rating: 3/10
Sale Rating : 9.5/10
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READ: Defence Review
READ Attack Review
