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Manchester United: Forget Wesley Sneijder, We Need To Replace Hargreaves
I'm glad that we've spent money on Young, De Gea and Jones, but we really need a destroyer rather than another artist in the midfield...
Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, and Anderson are the 3 names which are likely to strike fear deep into the hearts of fans all over the world – the only problem – it’s the Manchester United supporters that will be waking up in cold sweats. As it currently stands, for the 50 million pounds that SAF has spent this summer, none were central midfielders, and with the departures of Scholes and Hargreaves and the hopeful departure of Mr Gibson – Fletch, Carrick and Ando are the 3 recognised senior central midfielders that SAF has to choose from when the selecting his midfield to face West Brom at the Hawthorns on August 14th. For one reason or another, none of the above has managed to cement a place in the team on merit; and if you consider how the midfield performed last season – it is an outlook bleak enough to give even the most diehard Red many sleepless nights.
In the 2008/09 season, Fletcher was fantastic for United. Deployed as a defensive midfielder, he displayed great energy and desire to break up play and win possession. Built like a middle distance runner and with the technical skills to match; he may not have been easy on the eye, but he was an absolute nuisance to the opposition – especially Arsene Wenger. He was everywhere, snapping away at the heels of more technically gifted midfielders in a way that would even make Paul Scholes ever so slightly jealous. His star has risen to such an extent that United’s poor showing in the Champions League Final in Rome was blamed on his absence.
One could say that Carrick’s worth has been undervalued at United due to his style of play
Then the following season, he quickly went from looking like a major asset to looking like a massive a*se. There are many conspiracy theories as to why his star has fallen. The most likely of those theories is that he was played out of position. He was given too much responsibility – primarily a defensive minded midfielder, in the seasons post 2008/9, some argue that he’s been under pressure to offer more creatively and this theory would explain why his efforts to switch the play with a 40 yard cross field ball resemble something more akin to a personalised attack on the linesman. Being made to play in such a way has diluted his defensive influence on the team and if you add the fact that he seemed to play almost every game into the mix – its no wonder that he’s been struck down with a serious case of man flu – the poor guy must have been exhausted.
Michael Carrick’s transfer in 2006/7 was met with abject suspicion, even more so when he was given the legendary number 16 shirt. However, his signing coincided with United reclaiming their first league title in 3 years. One could say that Carrick’s worth has been undervalued at United due to his style of play. Rarely in recent memory has there been a natural deep lying playmaker in the United midfield, fans in the Stretford End are far more used to the all action style of Keane, Ince and Robson – powerful players who could snap a man in half without breaking stride before unleashing a howitzer bound for the top corner. But despite playing enough sideways passes to make Ray Wilkins look like a carefree maverick, Carrick has always been adept at keeping possession, and when he’s on form, he is capable of that raking 60 yard defence splitting pass. Therein lays the problem.
Anderson is faced with a similar situation. Once heralded as the new Ronaldinho, those comparisons now appear accurate for all the wrong reasons
He has the technical ability to be a mainstay in the United midfield, but he has the mental stability of a Ryvita – brittle and likely to crack if placed under any real pressure. For the past 3 seasons, Carrick has been more off form than on, and some say he’s still trying to catch Iniesta’s shadow from their first encounter in Rome, so god knows how much further he has regressed after the events that transpired at the 2011 Champs League Final. In his defence, one could argue that like Fletcher, he’s being asked to do something that isn’t in his natural game. Ironically, it’s in the absence of Fletcher that one could argue his form is poor. When placed alongside the likes of Scholes or Anderson, he is given the lion share of the defensive duties. He is unable to impose himself on games because he’s too busy trying to curtail the opposition’s influence.
Anderson is faced with a similar situation. Once heralded as the new Ronaldinho, those comparisons now appear accurate for all the wrong reasons considering Ando’s dodgy haircut, dodgy dancing and increasingly poor fitness levels. If you take a cursory look at footage of Ando in his Porto days, you will see a dangerous player who bursts into the box before hammering the ball past the ‘keeper. Look at footage of him in a United shirt and you’ll see him saunter into the final third at a pace which is can described as glacial at best, before releasing a tame toe poke in the direction of the corner flag. Despite these apparent failings, and despite being so left footed he’s almost off-balance; Anderson is perhaps the most naturally gifted of the midfielders we have left. He has shown fleeting glimpses of quality with his strength, passing ability and his surprising turn of pace. The problem for Ando, is that in the 4 years he’s been at OT, that’s all he’s shown – fleeting glimpses, there has been no consistency – one reason for that is a smorgasbord of niggling injuries.
We haven’t relied on Scholes for the past 3 years. Last season, the creative influence came from the likes of Nani, Rooney and Giggs
Perhaps the main reason for his stunted development is that for the majority of his United career – he has been incredibly shackled. In the majority of the games he’s played, he’s been used as a box to box midfielder and while he does have that surprising burst of speed I don’t think that is his natural game – at Porto he played higher up the pitch, and that’s where we should play him. It is no surprise that most of Anderson’s best performances have coincided with presence of Owen Hargreaves alongside him. While Anderson bombing forward with reckless abandon or when he was mixing it up with likes of Cesc Fibreglass and Steven Gerrard, Hargreaves with his brilliantly brittle knees was there to steady the ship.
I believe that is the common denominator as to why all 3 players have struggled to live up to expectations. I believe that reason is why they are being made to play in a way which negates their respective qualities. Forget the all the clamouring for a creative midfielder to replace Scholes, the truth is – we haven’t relied on Scholes for the past 3 years. Last season, the creative influence came from the likes of Nani, Rooney and Giggs. The player we really need to replace in Hargreaves. What United really miss is that dynamic presence in the midfield, a technically gifted powerhouse who can inject urgency into our play. If we fail to sign a dynamic midfielder in this window, then we’ll be stuck with Fletcher hoofing into the away end, Carrick having a nervous breakdown anytime he’s faced with a Spaniard and Anderson sulking around the centre circle. Failure to replace Hargreaves will see Sir Alex having to continue to ‘put square pegs into round holes’ and United will be forced to play a midfield to fit the formation rather than a formation which suits the personnel we have.
The problem United face is that, there aren’t too many of those players available. Danielle De Rossi has a year left on his contract at Roma and would fit the bill perfectly. He’s a leader, strong in the tackle, good passer of the ball and right foot that could kick another hole through the ozone layer.
An even better option would be Bastian Schweinsteiger, but I very much doubt that transfer would ever materialise for two reasons. Firstly, he signed a new contract last season, so he’d cost an absolute fortune – probably more than what it would cost to sign Wesley Sneijder. Secondly, the medical team at United are all too aware of what happened the last time we bought a dynamic midfielder from Bayern Munich.
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COMMENTS
totally agree, two CL finals against Barca united had no destructive force in midfield
actually, Manchester united are in need of a midfielder to replace pual scholes, i think they should put up carrick because i dont beleive sneijder will join, and he does not fit to replace scholes.
Stephen M'Bia
we actually need a midfield,lest we forget of titles this season
lassana diarra would be affordable and available. Yann M'Vila would be a great signing too.
Carrick, Fletcher and Rooney in the middle - with Young, Hernandez and Nani up front. This formation can easily switch from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 to 4-5-1 at the drop of a hat. It has the holding power of Fletcher - creation from Carrick and bursts of running from Rooney - plus a forward line as tricky and pacey as any team in the world.
Reserves are Anderson, Berbatov and Owen
What of Valencia then Roy, he has to be played just so we can get some quality ball in the box from both flanks. Nani is too inconsistant still. Young on the left be a good job. Interesting to see if Cleverly can force his way into the team, looked decent for Wigan last year. I agree with playing Rooney as an attacking midfielder tho, then you got little pea and berb/wellbeck/owen even macheda, beside him depending on the team were up against.
We lack a world class player in midfield which is vital if we are going to beat the top teams consistently! Moussa Sissoko would be a good shout as a "destructive" defensive midfield player but I seriously think that if we can somehow get our hands on Sneijder (even though it is very unlikely), he would complement Anderson or particularly Carrick very well. De Gea; Rafael, Ferdinand/Smalling, Vidic, Evra; Sneijder, Anderson/Carrick; Nani, Rooney, Young; Hernandez in a 4-2-3-1. We have awesome attacking subs in Macheda, Welbeck, Berba, Owen and even Ravel Morrison. Cleverley, Park, Valencia and Fletcher decent midfield back ups. I would like to see Steven Defour if we can't get Wesley. Also Hazard/Menez would be awesome.
Also, Joe and Roy, Rooney is most comfortable playing up front. Then he drops back and helps the midfield when needed. Leave our best player in his most comfortable position
We have a destroyer. Jones can play centre half or defensive mid.
We want to sign Wesley Sneijder this at the moment replacement Paul Scholes we wont give up on dutchman we know Alex Ferguson saying not real interested can be silly deal with it
This article is so old, i was saying this when Ronaldo left! When Ronaldo played for us he covered over the glaring mediocrity of our midfield. The minute he went its became obvious. You only have to watch a match and see Rooney drop deep that means the midfield arent doing there jobs. I think Alex Ferguson, as good as he is, has failed miserably in this department. He needs to sort it out not with one but two quality midfielders. Lets make no bones about it, with no big signing we will never beat Barca in the Champs league, they walked all over us in midfield.
I honestly think Rooney would be good in midfield. Even Scholes himself has suggested it. Obviously he would need some "tempering" to his natural game. He has the energy, the willpower and more importantly the "drive" to do it. We don't need Rooney as a forward. I'm sure Nani, Young, Hernandez, Berbatov, Valencia, Macheda and Owen can fill all the forward positions. Newboy Jones could be a good midfield destroyer. Please note: I have not mentioned ANDERSON anywhere in this blog. He's crap! Sneijder is too old to buy (forget him). United should have bought David Silva when he was available.
im a man utd fan, what i'll say are truthful in my opinion, sir alex has completly lost it, lets start with what he hd bad? he missed out on ronaldiniho, barca paid 21 million for him and sir alex said he wont go over 20 million this play than went to become twice world player of the year, a dynamic midfielder, great touches plays with flair, 2nd thing didnt keep tevez, he is not worth 25 million and yeah berva is worth 30 million, and i could go on and on, our midfiled is so weak, compared to european team in one o the weakest, we need to sell berva and buy a class striker such benzema, or even rossi yes the man utd reject, or go for alexis sanchez, and sir alex has talking about how he wants to stop barca dominance,lol what buying 2nd rated players, if i was him and i want to the cl more, i would defiently go for nasri, and snijder, and a striker
I kind of agree, but it was more when I thought we had a chance to sign Alexis Sanchez. I felt the creativity would come from Sanchez, Young and Rooney behind Hernandez. That would allow a more box to box midfielder, my choice would have be Arturo Vidal.
I think it's more than just Sir Alex doesn't WANT to spend the money. I don't think we have the money. Thank you Glazers!
We need sneijder badly,cause we dont have any creative midfielder like him for some time. For the past 3yrs man.utd has been ok at the back and infront,but for the middle,we've been poor. I say poor b-cos it cant be compared to that of other top european clubs. Sniejder will be an exceptional addition to man.utds midfield.
We need sneijder badly,cause we've not had any creative midfielder like him for some time. For the past 3yrs man.utd has been ok at the back and infront,but for the middle,we've been poor. I say poor b-cos it cant be compared to that of other top european clubs. Sniejder will be an exceptional addition to man.utds midfield.
For fucks sake. You've all lost it for varying reasons. Again with questioning Sir Alex. We just won the premiership and got to the CL final. Again with the no money excuse. We just bought Young, De Gea and Jones for close to £60m. You've all forgotten that we have a pretty good looking midfield coming from the youth ranks in the shape of Ravel Morrison, Paul Pogba and Tom Cleverly - maybe give these guys a chance before wasting £30m+ on a creative midfielder with fuck all to play for other than a £190k a week salary and the kudos of being our record signing. Just my thoughts. Oh, and for any JCL Utd fans reading this who expect instant success all of the time without fail (god forbid...): this season will be transitional. Massive overhaul in playing staff (certainly in terms of the starting XI) means effectively starting again. Be patient, forget about Chelsea and Citeh, and accept that Rome wasn't built in a day. That is all.
I don't think we need another striker. We have Rooney, Hernandez, berba and Owen, macheda, wellbeck, all good options. I believe our mid field is good all-round with the likes of nani, young, valencia and park on the wings also giggs and cleverly. Fletch, carrick and ando I agree will not scare many top European teams, so this is why we need a creative midfielder. If we can somehow get sneidjer, we will lift no 20 league title.
Jacky for fucks sake wake up. we got Premiership for gods grace, with vidic and co immaculately resucing us from defeats. We got to CL finals just coz we did not meet top guns on the road! wake up, we got humiliated, not just defeated at the hands of Barca twice..Humiliation is something that should wake up ur mind. Midfield is where the game starts and end. Period.
Yeah I have to agree with Jacky comments above. I mean we spent £50 million on De Gea, Jones and Young and people say we have no money. We shouldn't just throw money away, and also people need to relax. Its mid-July and a lot of teams have yet to buy players. At the same time we should show some support to Cleverley and Anderson because they might be the answer.
Awesome comment Jacky - I will always trust in Fergie - we were so successful last season with what most critics called a below par squad but Fergie proves them wrong again. Of course we have to give chances to our young players coming through - that's how the golden generation of Beckham, Giggs, Scholes, Neville came about; as a football fan I like to see a big club just add a few marquee signings to a strong core of academy players which represent the backbone and spirit of the team. Neville, Scholes and Giggs did that consistently for over a decade, now I hope the likes of Tunnicliffe, Pogba, Morrison, Cleverly and Welbeck can be the next generation. Remember we also have a potential world class players in Macheda, Hernandez (if he isn't already!), Smalling, Jones, Da Silva twins and De Gea. Exciting times at OT but I do admit that a strong and influential midfielder should be bought if we are to be deadly serious in competing on all fronts THIS SEASON. Our average midfield always manages to get exposed by the big teams. Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea will have great strength and depth this season, therefore we need to have midfielders that can step it up in big games. I don't think Giggs can replicate his phenomenal performances of last season; Anderson really needs to start asserting himself in games and become the great player that he has the potential to become. Forget Sneijder as it seems he doesn't really want to come. I would rather a slightly less gifted footballer comes in who would do anything to play for United than for a great player who has to be seduced into coming. Opt for Defour/M'vila/Sissoko (if Fergie thinks they are considerably better than what we have now). If those deals cannot be done then I still reckon the youngsters can at least build a foundation with some solid experience this season, which will make us an unstoppable force to be reckoned with in a few years.
Manchester United: Forget Sneijder, We Need To Replace Hargreaves - This is a laughable headline from either a new soccer fan or an author used to watching Hereford Utd in the 1970s FA Cup. This is exactly what we DON'T need. It's been highlighted against Barca that a willing box to box workhouse or a rough midfield enforcer do not work against the very elite. We need a footballer who can keep hold of the ball - not clatter into the opposition and concede posession or run around aimlessly for 90 mins. Heaven help us if the author was in charge of Utd!!! We need another Hargreaves. Laughable. We need a Sneijder, a Nasri, a Neymar or dare I say it Fabregas!!... someone able to keep the ball, maintain posession and distribute it accordingly. If Scholes was 10 years younger....
Well everyone just want star players specially players who thinks star players but I doubt Sir Alex will bring anyone! Why people goes for Sneijder, He doesn't a season player, check his records, he never play whole season! Also paying such a high price and wages wouldn't wise for us! Why not trust of our reserve players? If anyone closely following reserve team football than we can easily say we have 3 great players Ravel Morrison, Paul Pogba and Ryan Tunnicliffe which surly one day best players for us and I think Alex should give chance to Ravel Morrison, believe me he is player which we need right now! Transfer market is overrated and so Sneijder too! Believe on us, rest will be history like we did in 1995 and Alex know it!
Couldn't agree more with this article! Been saying for a while that its a good defensive or destroyer type midfielder we need. Uniteds creativity comes from the wings and (occasionally) from Rooney, in the last few seasons we've relied less and less on Scholes. Carrick and Park looked stupid chasing Barcas midfield around at Wembley, because thats a job they don't know how to do. Schweinsteiger is ideal but unrealistic, De Rossi is an option with 1 year left on his contract, Yann M'Villa is a name being thrown around but I don't know enough about him to comment.
Brilliant article, and exactly why we can't beat Barca, the last time we did was when Scholes was effective.If Hargreaves had'nt been injured so much I honestly think we would have done better in Rome & Wembley. Barca can be beaten but not with our current midfield & more to the point Fergie's tactics, i'm a massive fan of SAF but he's got it wrong twice against Barca in Wembley no lessons were learnt from Rome, i thought he was a bit arrogant with his tactics. Another point I hate to say it but Steve Clarke's appointment as Liverpool coach will benefit them no end & with no midweek games to play i think they will be dangerous
This is just brillant! I tink u shld replace SAF when he retires. U got all the issues with fletcher, carrick and ando spot on. But u are forgetting phil jones. He, when in blackburn was a "destroyer" u said we need. I tink fergie is goin to deploy him in front of the defence nxt season thus complimenting anderson since carrick is getting into his 30's I tink the future of our midfield is the trio of anderson, cleverly and Phil jones.
Utd Fan, I'll give you some credit - possession of the ball is key to winning games, only problem is, Barca happen to be far superior to everyone else at keeping the ball. Barca have thumped us in 2 Champs League finals because our midfield has been unable to cope with their 'tiki-taka' passing game. Forget keeping possession, we havn't been able to get the ball. I'd love us to sign Sneijder, but you can't escape the fact that our midfield is missing a destroyer and until we get one, its likely that we'll continue to lose the majority of midfield battles next season.
Ferguson, please wake up and smell the roses. Not one but two humiliating defeats to barca in less than 3 years should be enough of a warning sign pointing to the gaping hole in our central midfield. Xavi and Iniesta just raped our midfield on both occasions, with frightening ease. PLEASE BUY A CENTRAL MIDFIELDER, PREFERABLY SNEIJDER/PASTORE/NASRI.
forget sneider.go and get samir nasri n yann m vila.these two would do a great job in midfield!
who writes this rubbish... y do we need to replace Hargreaves? he hasn't played for 2 and a half years i think united have learnt how to cope with out him... the limited number of games that he actually did play man utd probably didn't even learn how to play with him let alone miss him...
fletcher was ill for most of last season, anderson was injured or recovering from injury, carrick isnt a defensive midfielder AT ALL. we dont need to replace hargreaves- he hasnt played or contributed anything in nearly 2 years= nothing to replace!! switch berba/rooney/nani/giggs to centre mid in the snjeider role, young on the left, valencia on the right, 1 from fletcher,cleverly,jones or ando to cover the defence.job done. £45 million saved.
also- trying to change the whole team, sign players and change tactis for 2 possible games each year against barca is madness- there is no point to it, what about the other 70 odd games!! we won the Prem and got to the final of the FA cup and CL with what supposed to be a weak team last season- if thats what a weak team can do then all the other teams must be crapping it when we have strengthened!
man utd should go 4-1-3-2 formation de gea /rafael/ferdo/vida/evra jones in defensive mid young or nani on the left valencia on the right rooney and chitarito up front.this would give more freedom for the likes of anderson and carrick to spot out a good pass and possibly go for goal.but i think its time to give younger players the chance eg ravel morisson he was a born playmaker its been so long since we turned to youth remember how fergie replaced players such as ince hughes and konchelskis he turned to the likes of beckham scholes and giggs you would remember if your a true utd fan and without that opportunity they wouldnt become the players they are today so its time for them to shine because if not given the chance to shine you wont shine so come on lads lets get a 20th title glory glory man utd red devil 4ever
JR why would you want to save the Glazers £45m Even more absurd play Rooney out of position again, Giggs looked his age against Barca so how much longer will he play, Berbatov will be gone, Nani looks more likely to be part ex for Sneijder or whoever,& we only got to the FA cup semi-final we got knocked out cos Berba missed two crucial open goals , seriously though we need a destroyer which is why i said brilliant article, go back to top of page & read it again the guy is spot on
please buy sanchez
I think just put on the deal right now Wesley Sneijder will join Manchester United will be possible
A ball-winner/destroyer wouldn't have helped us against Barca, the problem was we couldn't keep the ball when we got hold of it! Barca are great in possession but people ignore the fact that they as good as anyone at pressing the play when they lose the ball - they don't just all get behind the ball and defend like so many teams, and actually defend quite high up the pitch. I think what we need is someone in central midfield who is comfortable in possession - we don't have that other than when Giggs plays centrally (one more season?), Carrick and Anderson get caught on the ball way too often and much as Cleverley has ability I think he will prove too lightweight for the very top level. I think Sneijder or Nasri would both be good signings, would go for Sneijder as he is proven in Europe and internationally whereas Nasri isn't......and as for replacing Scholes the player who is closest to him in terms of vision, passing ability, goal threat and a bit of nastiness in mim is already playing for us....Rooney.
Owen Hargreaves, bring him back for one more try if his over is keen problems he could still be great
I agree 100% about the need for a Defensive Midfielder. Although we might be able to convert Phil Jones into that role. If we had to buy someone who was relatively within our reach I would suggest Moussa Sissoko
There isn't many creative midfielders that are world class out there, that are avalible to buy anyway. But sneijder is one of them. http://www.totalfootballfan.com
carick is the root of all problems..once e replace him we can beat barca
"Then the following season [2009/2010], he [Fletcher] quickly went from looking like a major asset to looking like a massive a*se." Bold statement considering that 2009/2010 is considered by most to be Fletcher's best season, and was the only season he has been selected for the PFA team of the year - ahead of Lampard who scored 22 League goals that year!
That exactly what I keep saying to my mates. Even though Scohlsey is not irreplasble,if Owen was fit and ready it wouldn't hurt us(united) that much.Paul is Amazing but Harge would have fell it about 88% scholsey's miss.
why does everybody talk of holding player and attacking midfielder. In a 442 your central two need to do both jobs.Carrick is by far the best we have, but he is exposed by weak defensive players alongside him. In the champions league he has been left with anderso 2008(dragged off halt time) 2009 giggs who was switched to the wing and was by far the worst player on the pitch. He is far better with fletcher alongside him. As for missing Hargreaves. About 60 minutes action spread over three seasons will not be missed.
sell carrarick to totteham for 12 million the sell anderson 8 million put another 15 million and get bayer munich midfielder Schweinsteiger easy deals saf
Thank you for a very well written article with some excellent comments.I agree totally.I think that Lassana Diarra would be the ideal player for United.
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