Buying From Our Premiership Rivals: Manchester United
By Alpal78 12 Aug 2006
Having looked at the list of their registered players, I must say that not many names strike me as either buyable or worth the buy. Most of their players either fall into the Rooney/Ronaldo category or youngsters who will not improve our first team. However, given that some of their previous youngsters have gone on to achieve great heights, just for this write-up, besides the usual, we will also run the rule on some these youngsters. With the likelihood of adding Gravesen to our midfield, our focus will inevitably be on defenders and strikers.
Defenders
First up, Mr. versatile, John O’Shea. It is football’s worst kept secret that our whole defence could do with an improvement. Taylor will no doubt be an England international in the future, but with just 7 days to the Wigan game, his form seems to have suffered from his long lay off. Even Moore who looked good at the end of last season was shaky in the pre season. For me, O’Shea best position is at left back but he is equally capable across the back four. In fact in the absence of Roy Keane, he even played as a defensive midfielder. Fast defender, good positional sense and looks confident on the ball, he would improve our defence wherever he plays. With the arrival of Vidic and Evra, we might be able to sneak in a cheeky bid for him.
Next on the defender list is a toss up between Brown and Silvestre. I have too say neither are really impressive, but the fact that I am considering them speaks volume of our current batch of defenders. A slightly controversial call, but for me Silvestre just marginally pips Brown. Lots of good words have been said of Brown but I have never been impressed by him. At least with Silvestre, there have been games when I thought he did well. He is also a versatile player and can play at either left back or centre back. If nothing else, his bags of experience will help young Taylor develop. For those who are cringing at the thought of seeing Silvestre in the black and white, all I can say is, just think of our defenders and you will feel much better. Had Heinze been available last season, Silvestre would probably have been dropped all together, so he is a realistic buy.
Striker
Next is a player who I would consider a provisional buy, Louis Saha. Provisional, because it depends on whether Manchester buys a new striker. Having tasted first team action at the end of last season, I doubt he will want to be on the bench again. So if they get a new striker to partner Rooney, we can do worse than registering our interest. Although he has lost a bit of his pace, he still has good technique on him and can play in both a 4-4-2 or a 4-5-1, should Roeder insist on sticking with the latter. He suffered quite a few knee injuries but he seems to have recovered well last season. In any case a thorough medical should show up any problems. Some might question why I didn’t go for Smith instead, 2 reasons; first Smith is not a regular goal scorer and 2nd his injury will mean a long lay off and we need strikers now.
Youngsters
First on the list has to be Giuseppe Rossi. I am quite doubtful if Manchester will sell him, perhaps our only hope to lure him over is that he has a higher chance of breaking into our first team than in Manchester’s. Not the tallest of strikers, but he can shoot with both feet and his low centre of gravity means that he isn’t easily shrugged off the ball. Scored on his debut at the Stadium of Light and bagged a brace in the 5-0 FA Cup thrashing of Burton Albion. Represented the Italian Under-19 when he was just 16 years old, he is definitely one for the future.
Another exciting youngster on Manchester’s book is Phliilp Bardsley. Deputized well for Neville when the latter was out injured. Since Neville’s return, he has been sent on loan to Burnley. Hence we have every chance of getting him on loan. At the very least he will be able to deputize for Carr as I just don’t see Ramage as a right back, or better still fingers cross, he might even take up our right back position.
Things could change quickly depending on the identity of the 3 players that we are apparently close to buying, but as of now, the above players would do us good. Discuss and tell me why you disagree with my selections. |
