Leave Rossi A-Loan! …
When Kieran Richardson marked his England debut with a brace against the USA, United fans rubbed their eyes in disbelief and then checked for the arrival of the four horsemen of the apocalypse.
After all, this was Kieran Richardson, a talented but inconsistent Londoner, who so rarely rose to the occasion when on first team duty at United, that he was farmed out for a season to West Brom.Clearly, the confidence gained in the Midlands benefited Richardson and boosted his career. Since returning to United however, the starlet has recaptured his inability to dazzle.
Richardson is now something of a poster-boy for the season-long loan scheme. In the past year, United have taken to this scheme with a rare passion. Some 13 players have been sent out on loan, to advance their development or to save the Glazers’ money, depending on one’s point of view.A good young player, with few opportunities at senior level might benefit by an extended run in the colours of another team, as did David Beckham a decade ago.
Yet, a feeling persists that the loan scheme is little more than a low-risk accounting wheeze, which allows the big clubs to off-load able young players, whilst retaining their registration should the youngster’s development surge forward. The example of Arsenal trainee David ‘have boots will travel’ Bentley, sent on loan first to Norwich and then to Blackburn, is a salutary lesson.
United’s highest profile loan star is Jonathan Spector. Despite injury, the promising American defender has played 19 games for Charlton since the season began. Spector is due to return to United in the summer and will discover that his first team chances are even more limited than on his departure in 2005. During the winter transfer window, Sir Alex Ferguson spent 12 million pounds recruiting an international full-back and centre half. Gabriel Heinze should be available for selection and Wes Brown, on current form, is unlikely to be transferred.
If Spector worries for his United future come the start of the season, the same might also be said of David Jones, another talented midfield player, who began the season on loan at Championship promotion contenders Preston North End.Jones scored three goals in 25 games and manager Billy Davies was disappointed to see him leave at Christmas. Most United fans assumed that Jones would rescue the first team from its midfield crisis. Sir Alex had other thoughts and within weeks had sanctioned the midfielder’s despatch to Holland.
It is too early to evaluate the impact these arrangements will have on the professional development of Spector, Jones and alike. However, the loan scheme is the beginning of the end for most United youngsters, if past history is any guide. Weber, Davis, Chadwick, Bellion, Miller and Wallwork are just a few names who came briefly to attention before being propelled through the Old Trafford exit doors. The Chinese ‘marketing sensation’ Dong is an example worth noting too. He was signed and then sent out on loan to Belgium without ever making a Premiership appearance for United. After a two year learning curve, the prospects of him gracing United in that competition or any other are rated slim indeed.
Such case studies of young players loaned out who then fail to make the grade at United, might just explain the hot-tempered reaction to coach Carlos Queiroz’s throwaway comment earlier this week concerning the future of reserve team star Giuseppe Rossi.
“Giuseppe will not go out on loan this season,” Queiroz said in response to reports that Rossi was on his way to either Preston or Ipswich. “He is still working under the programme we set him at the beginning of the season and it will end as planned at the end of the season.We have nothing in our minds about letting him go out on loan before then, although next season is another story and maybe then we can open up that possibility.”
Queiroz’s comments confirmed his unerring ability to generate negative publicity. The mere prospect of Rossi starting the season at somewhere other than Old Trafford, provoked rage a-plenty.This is extraordinary given the long list of experienced international players ahead of Rossi in the pecking order for first team places. Fergie has talked up the Italian-American prodigy and announced his natural finishing ability. The player too, has given a hint of what might be to come with impressive scoring feats in the reserve team and a well taken goal against Sunderland. This is more than enough for some fans. With only glimpses of the 22 year old forward’s skills, they seem ready to anoint Rossi as the club’s newest saviour and are clamouring for his inclusion in the first eleven.
The fact that Rossi has attracted such interest and acclaim, testifies to the sense of distress now apparent among United fans. There is a real fear that Chelsea will walk away with the best players and the top prizes and that United’s period of domination is at an end. There is grumbling too about Fergie’s capacity to revive the team, the parsimony of the owners and more than a few nervous glances in the direction of a rejuvenated, improving Liverpool side.
Rooney is a marvel but here too, there is unease that continued disappointments at home and in Europe might lead to his departure. In such circumstances, with hope scant, many United fans see in Rossi, a reason for future optimism, a sharpshooter ready to gun down the opposition and join Rooney and Ronaldo in hauling United back to the top.
Moreover, fans look back with satisfaction to the class of ’92 and wonder why a system, which allowed young players to develop a ‘United mentality’ together and learn to play in the United way, has been so abandoned. Championship and league football in Benelux countries have much to commend them but they simply do not afford the opportunities of the United’s Carrington training complex to play with and learn from top international professionals.
Such reasoning leaves no room for Rossi’s departure on loan. United fans expect much of the player. It must be hoped that the weight of expectation now placed on young Rossi’s shoulders does not become too great a burden. AU
© Copyright: Absolutely United 2006
