AUTHOR: – Doron
Are Manchester United lacking a midfield spark? – It was a question posed by a BBC tactical blog after the defeat against Wolves last month. The idea of a spark, or creative midfielder in the United side has been something that’s bugged me for a while. I’ve never been convinced it’s what we need and with that in mind I plan to make a potentially surprising transfer suggestion.
For me there are two reasons as to why United’s central midfield area has been talked about with grave concern this year. The first, put simply is a lack of goals scored from this part of the team – only 7 in total. In reality, this isn’t something that’s suddenly just happened. That is a lower total than past years but since the 2004/05 season and the days where the Paul Scholes my lord he scores goals chant was regularly sung, no central midfielder has come close to double figures with Fletcher and Carrick both averaging a goal every 13 games in their Manchester United career (NB Gibson so far averages a goal every 6 games – the closest of the current CMs to Scholes’ a goal every 4.5 games).
The second reason, I believe, lies in our competitors. Arsenal have Nasri, Wilshere and Fabregas; Chelsea have Lampard; Man City have Silva; Liverpool have Meireles and Spurs have Modric and Van der Vaart. United have, erm, Carrick? I don’t have a problem with that. However, the media have United constantly linked to attacking midfielders, creative players who also score goals. The perception therefore is that due to the links and the fact our opponents have a certain type of player, United must also have this kind of player.
It doesn’t bother me though. United don’t have to conform to a certain trend in football. All of those teams have a common theme – they don’t play a 4-4-2. By contrast, United’s preferred formation is and has almost always been a 4-4-2 or a variant of that formation. I should add – formations written down by a series of numbers are somewhat overrated; in reality on a pitch they’re so fluid and versatile that they never quite turn out to be exactly as the numbers represent. That said, it’s safe to say that United like to play with four midfielders and two strikers.
Unlike many fans, I don’t think that an attacking midfielder needs to be signed. United have always relied on flair and goals from their wingers – it’s a proven formula at our club. What I do think needs to happen, is the release of some of our more creative players. Namely, Michael Carrick.
Oddly, despite wishing to see Carrick removed from his deeper role at present, I’ve praised it before. I think Carrick has done a very solid job for United this year – he isn’t a player who should be put in a defensive role with the duty of winning the ball and shifting it on accurately to the next player. The ‘old’ Carrick of 4 years ago played higher up the pitch as a player who would create chances, get within shooting distance (and shoot), and be a reliable retainer of possession.
The change in his role is strikingly obvious. Showing his passing from a game against Watford four seasons ago and comparing it with him against Aston Villa this year just shows how much higher he used to play for most of the game:
Carrick passing vs. Watford in 2006/07
Carrick passing vs. Aston Villa in 2010/11
It’s very clear to see the cluster of passes made in the final 40 yards of the opposition half in 2006/07 – whereas against Villa this season there is no such pattern or regularity of passing that high up the pitch.
Few would argue against the fact that Carrick can be a very good creative midfielder. The only other player in the squad who could do this defensive role is Owen Hargreaves; and with him injured and the club not spending any money on a Hargreaves-esqe player the responsibility has been handed to Carrick. Despite doing a decent enough job, Carrick is better with more freedom – with the license to roam and pick out the cutting passes.
I’m not aware of an occasion this blog has pinpointed a specific player to sign – rather it has always backed our current squad, and will continue to do so. I though, am going to break from tradition and suggest who I would like the club to sign. My suggestion is a replacement for Carrick in the defensive role; someone who can tackle and pass; someone who would free-up Carrick to play higher up the pitch as well as potentially helping other players such as Anderson to settle into a higher position (he too has been asked to play deep far too often).
For me, any signing who has to come in and play in the first team immediately really needs to have Premier League experience. There are lots of examples of central midfielders (and players in other positions) joining from abroad and taking time to settle and learn the game. My other concern with any central midfield signing is age. I would be disappointed if United spent big money on a central midfielder aged 21-15 as I would much rather see a product of our Academy given an opportunity first. I don’t want any signing hindering or stunting their progress. In Cleverley, Pogba, Morrison, Tunnicliffe and to a lesser extent, Matty James, United have some very talented young central midfielders. Arguably none of them are ready to be a fixture in the starting XI however they all have a big 18-24 months coming up where hopefully they’ll start to push towards the first team.
With that in mind, my suggested signing is now at the peak of his career. I’m suggesting him with only a couple of years at the club in mind – a bit like the signing of Laurent Blanc (however my suggestion is younger). The player would be perfect to do a disciplined defensive role and wouldn’t hinder the progress of our younger players – in actual fact they could probably learn from him. For me, he’s one of the few true box-to-box midfielders in the league today and is often credited with being a very strong leader.
My suggestion is Scott Parker.
I’ve been impressed with Parker for some time and have long believed he moved to Chelsea too early in his career. His flop at Chelsea has lead many to believe he can’t hack it at a big club although considering he was only there for one season, that seems like an unfair judgement. When Keane was finishing his career, Parker was one of the names being mentioned as his replacement but nothing materialised. Unlike other names being mooted, I don’t think he’d cost a lot of money. He did sign a new five year deal this season but West Ham could still get relegated and a sale would seem likely anyway. Even if West Ham survive, they may be tempted to part company with Parker for a not-so extraordinary fee. Certainly if United came calling, Parker would be unlikely to want West Ham to reject a bid.
I don’t believe that a United signing has to necessarily be a big-name. I’ve written recently about just how tough it is to find the right central midfielder to sign – I used the jigsaw analogy whereby pointed out that the players have to fit next to the ones around them. Simply picking a name out at random doesn’t necessarily work and doesn’t mean that because big famous-named player “x” was fantastic at club “y” that he’ll be equally as good, if not better at United.
Aside from his age, value and the fact I think he’d free up Carrick & Co, Parker’s a very complete midfielder. His goals to games ratio isn’t great but that’s not what his game is about. He’s a very good passer and rarely gives the ball away. To show this, I’ve picked his passing from two losing games this season, away at Arsenal and United this season – games where you’d expect his passing to be poorer than average.
Parker passing vs. Arsenal
Parker passing vs. Man United
His passing success rate of 89% vs. Arsenal and 93% vs. Man United is mightily impressive. These two games show him playing in a restrictive defensive role much like Carrick has been playing this season. Parker, is however as I mentioned able to be versatile and go box-to-box too.
Parker passing vs. Tottenham
Parker passing vs. Wigan
These further two examples from this season show a player comfortable playing all over the pitch and someone who looks for a positive forward pass. The other side to Parker’s game is his grit and desire to win the ball back. He reads the game well and is an excellent tackler.
Parker tackling vs. Wigan
Parker tackling vs. Tottenham
It doesn’t matter who the opposition are, Parker in an almost old-fashioned but controlled style is always looking to engage in physical contact in order to win the ball back. I believe he represents everything we’ve been missing in Owen Hargreaves and would as I’ve said a few times help some of our other players to rediscover their creative touch.
Every signing is a gamble. However, I don’t think United are in a position to take huge risks at the moment. Changes will happen when Messrs Scholes and Giggs do eventually bring their phenomenal careers to a close. The changes however don’t necessarily all have to come from outside the club. United are a team with a proud history of youth football and therefore in my opinion it only needs a small short-term change or addition to prepare for the arrival of some of the new young stars at the club. Scott Parker, would, for me be that perfect player to help the side rediscover some creativity whilst slotting right into our jigsaw and completing the puzzle for now.
Please do share your thoughts, suggest alternative signings, agree with me or tell me I’m bonkers in the comments section below!
AUTHOR: – Doron
I don’t think Scott Parker is the guy for Manchester United. Probably Modric. Sneijder, Kaka are close to their 30s. Maybe temporary (2 at most seasons) replacements for Scholes but definitely not long term. Rodwell is more of a defensive midfielder to replace Hargreaves. Someone to sit back and support the back 4. Other than Sahin, I’d love Kagawa or Goetze in our colours. Even Ninis for Pathaniakos. I can only see us buying Parker if all the other signings are out of favour. Modric will be expensive on long term deal though.
@Zaim
Sneijder is 26 and would cost a fortunate. Kaka is 28 and has been injured for ages.
Rodwell is a good suggestion but for me, he’s unproven, often injured, would cost a lot and is at an age where he may hinder those coming through in our Reserves and Academy.
Goetze is a lovely player, I like him.
i think ramires is amazing, go for him if you can get him for under £40 mil
Scott Parker isn’t a United player. We need players who are world class or close to that or are capable of developing to that level. We already have too many average players in the squad. Parker couldn’t cut it at Chelsea and hasn’t developed in to an England regular. He struggles against top teams and is limited.
It is difficult to assess players who are good enough, I don’t see enough European games to say for sure. Apparently for Valencia we watched him every game for Wigan home and away and checked his consistency and work rate and bravery and his ability to hurt big teams. Really that is the only true way to assess players.
I am certain we have over a 100 million to play with and Fergie could have bought Sneijder and Robben when we sold Ronaldo.
If we are to compete against Barca on top form we need world class players. Personally I’d love Cesc but we won’t get him. I don’t mind if we buy bad as long as the player has the potential to be world class. I do get annoyed when I see players who will never be close to world class sign on the dotted line.
Rodwell seems a good possibility as does Costa, both have fantastic potential according to those who seem to watch them regularly.
@Mancunian Red
I disagree that we need “world class” players. The jigsaw analogy whereby each player has to work and fit with the guy next to him does allow for any old top player to be plonked in. My suggestion of Parker is by no means a long-term suggestion – as I allude to in the blog, I compare it to signing Blanc. He had had a great career but was by no means “world class” when we signed him, yet he did a very good job filling in. As I mention, Parker moved to Chelsea at a bad time – they were spending huge money on other players and rater than saying he couldn’t cut it there, he never really got a look in (15 league appearances in two seasons) – it wasn’t like he was given lots of chances and flopped.
My thought process behind Parker is that he actually doesn’t struggle against the top sides – regularly he is a stand out performer, only this weekend away at Spurs did he receive yet more high praise. Furthermore this is a short-term solution. We do have some excellent young talents coming through and signing a 30 year old Parker will mean that when the kids are *hopefully* ready to challenge for a place in the first team, he’ll be ready to knock-off!
Our club is very much in transition at the moment, as in fact it has been ever since Ronaldo left. There are young players emerging – Rafael, Smalling, Fabio, Evans, Nani, Chicharito, Welbeck even Anderson, Macheda etc etc – they’re the future and it’s all about transition, something our club has done very well. I just think this would help with that (as well as freeing up Carrick from his defensive duties that really don’t suit him despite him actually doing them fine).
RE the £100m – we have over £130m sitting in the accounts. That’s a fact as Rafa Benitez would say… anyone can access the club’s accounts online and see that. Whether it’s for transfers or not remains to be seen. As the terms of their ownership suggest, the Glazers could easily use that money to buy back bonds like they have done already. That money isn’t at all guaranteed to go on transfers (although I like you hope it is).
Rodwell I think would be a big risk right now. He’s unproven, injury prone and despite having obvious talent, appears to actually not have progressed this season – was speaking to a few Everton fans earlier who really don’t think much of him. Being English he’d also cost a lot and his age means he’d be competing with our own young players. I’d always rather see us play our own than spend big on someone else.
Costa I like, I’ve watched him for four years now. Have never thought he’d suit the PL but a former scout has told me he thinks he’d be super for United and I trust his opinion.
Blanc was an atrocious signing, Fergie sold world class Stam and bought a player who had lost any pace he had and we defended too deep.
And today if you are going to be a top class team you need world class players. In the 70s and 80s and may be the 90s you could get away with a team built with various types but today we are globalised.
Teams may have a good season and a few players may shine but if you are to stay at the top and be the best in the world you need world class players throughout.
VDS, Evra, Hargreaves, Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez, Vidic, Giggs, Rio, were alll either world class or close to world class when we last won the CL and prem and I thought Brown was superb at right back that season.
In the past we have had Becks, Scholes, Giggs, Keane, Schmeichel, Neville, Irwin, Stam, Cole, Yorke et al
This team doesn’t come close, we are where we are due to default rather than because we are that good. If Barca play to their best they will hammer us. We may get lucky or Fergie may get the tactics right and stop them playing but personally I’d prefer to lose to Barca than try to defend.
Parker isn’t that good against the big teams and is limited, he stands out for WHU as he did for Charlton but that’s because he can get away playing a certain way that suits teams fighting against relegation.
Moreover he is too defensive minded for my liking I don’t like players whose primarily objective is to look after the back four. Keane used to be a box to box midfield player we created the position for him when age became a factor. Scholes has tended to play that role or sometimes Carrick.
I prefer my midfield players to be box to box and be players who can hurt teams and dominate at least in some games against the likes of Cesc, Gerrad, et al.
When you get England manager after England manager ignoring him that tells you something to my mind.
@Mancunian Red
Fair enough, will agree to disagree but you make some good points there
I like the idea of Parker and any player that frees up the rest and can tackle would work well. Looking back at the past few years I still cannot believe that SAF didn’t gamble on Sneijder and/or Van der Vaart! Combined they would have cost around £25 mil. Half that of Torres! I am surprised at how well Van der Vaart has fitted in, in the English game but I think Sneijder is the perfect replacement for Hargreaves. Now they’ve already moved on I don’t think they are the players for United. I think it is time for SAF to chance ‘the kids’ and keep giving them a few minutes whenever possible.
@AJWozniak
I like you am all for the kids – there is a risk of playing them too soon though. They’re not ready just yet, dominating at U18 and Reserve level is nothing compared to PL or even Carling Cup football. Going on pre-season with the first team would certainly be of great benefit to them. I’m very excited to see how Fergie does choose to manage them though, very exciting times.
nameonthetrophy
That’s all it is is opinions I think I know about football but there are countless times I’m proven wrong, even the greatest manager ever gets it wrong a lot of the time too.
There are just so many variables – the only thing I think is worthwhile if you debate with people with open minds who accept its just about opinions and admit when we are wrong 🙂
I thought Veron would be a great signing and I couldn’t see Nani developing after the first few years at OT and thought Kleberson would be a good signing to name only three of my countless mistakes.
@Mancunian Red
Absolutely, I’m pleased that the blog entry has already had some debate – it would be rather dull if everyone who read this agreed with it!!
I too thought Veron would be a great signing but I think Fergie got a lot wrong with that. Never really understood that Veron couldn’t play in our system. Veron though was excellent in Europe and I get bothered by anyone who labels him an outright flop because that he certainly wasn’t. He was rarely bad just never as good as we all thought and hoped he should have been
If we’re in the market for someone in a wide position who’s proven in the Premiership and wouldn’t hopefully be overpriced then how about Arteta? Possibly a bit injury prone but I think he’d be a useful squad player.
I’m a big fan of Parker but I can’t see West Ham selling him cheaply unless they go down, they love to rattle their sabre when someone comes in for one of their players. Or maybe that’s just for Spurs. Parker would bring some drive and energy to the middle of the park which we’ve always valued (Robson & Keane etc) and with Fletch having a bit of an off season I think Parker would fit right in. That’s assuming Hargs sadly never comes back which I’d be amazed (and delighted) if he did.
Personally I’d like us to get Modric, he’s proven in the Premiership and he can play in a 4-4-2.
@Zayd
Arteta is a really good player, been so important for Everton. You’d think he and Modric would both grab Fergie’s interest. I like what you say about Parker too 🙂 – I don’t think competition for Fletch would be a bad thing. Based on what he does, with Hargreaves injured he has no competition, so when fit, he’s pretty much guaranteed a starting spot. That’s not a bad thing, he’s generally good although has had a funny season.
I know it’s a bit weird for a United fan to say it but I think it’s too risky to throw the kids into the first team, Chelsea tried that this season and it didn’t work for them. Although I’m sure Josh McEachran and Sturridge (who’s Chelsea’s only inform striker at the mo) will soon be in the first team. I’d hate to see the likes of Pogba and Morrison rushed.
This summer I can see us getting a keeper (unless Edwin gives it another year and cements himself as the Prem’s answer to Brett Farve) and maybe a left winger. Maybe this Costa lad, Bale would cost silly money I imagine and I worry how he’d cope with a big price tag around his shoulder. Really hope we don’t faff about with the keeper situation.
@Zayd
Oh no I totally agree, I’ve been saying the same thing. It’s a big 18-24 months for them though. Fergie’s well aware of how they’re getting on hence squad numbers being given etc.
The Costa stuff is a load of rubbish really, turns out he wasn’t at Old Trafford yesterday :s
Haha really? Shame on the reporters who claimed they saw him in the directors box with club representatives etc.
@Zayd
There is a photo of a Brazilian footballer in the Directors Box but it’s taken from a distance, hard to work out who it is
Fingers crossed it was Neymar then.
Sanchez, and energizer bunny like Tevez and Rooney. Good for 8-10 goals a season from an AM position. He’s a bit small but very good on the ball, first touch is awesome. And Schweinsteiger, a beast in the middle as a DM, he can also get upfield quickly.
@Zayd
Haha no having seen it, it wasn’t him. I thought it was Lucas, the 18 year old kid at Sao Paulo but not him as I just watched him playing for SP!
@Quis
Schweini is a brilliant shout, should have included him in the first poll. Didn’t he sign a new long-term deal this season? Mind you contracts mean very little these days!
Think I’d rather take Muller, lot younger and can play wide.
Schweinsteiger had a shocker against Dortmund recently, not that that makes him a bad player obviously.
I voted for Modric. That would be the ideal choice. But I would not mind if it was Charlie Adam but definitely not Scott Parker.
Ideally, there are three combinations that make successful double pivots: destroyer and passer
destroyer and box to box player
box to box player and playmaker
We have plenty of box to box talent (Fletcher, Anderson, Gibson, and more)
We need a true destroyer (since Hargreaves is out)
We need a true deep playmaker (Scholes will retire soon, Carrick is good enough to keep and play, but isn’t world class).
I would sign Luka Modric because:
1) he is capable of slotting into either Giggs’ or Scholes’ roles with equal success (vital, because the number of games this team plays mandates versatility)
2) he improves our ability to control the game away from home (the single biggest flaw in the current squad)
3) He is in the absolute prime of his career, and a genuine world class player.
I would sign John Obi Mikel or Nuri Sahin because
1) They are both disciplined, good tacklers, and very reliable passers
2) Chelsea might be willing to sell (he doesn’t fit their new look 4-4-2)
3) Dortmund will try to hold on to Sahin, but we can pay him more and offer a larger spotlight/prestige
3) Mikel should have been ours 5 years ago.
4) We’ll have to pay the English premium for Rodwell
^sorry for the numerical mixup
^sorry for the numerical mixup. Anyway, I heard the Brazilian in the directors box was Douglas Costa (for those who don’t know, he’s really really good and plays for Shakhtar Donetsk).
http://sportingalert.com/2011/03/douglas-costa-spotted-at-old-trafford-during-boltons-game-reports/
Parker? Out of your mind??
No, never.. modric is perfect for United even if he costs 35ml
Hell no to Parker.. why do everyone keeps taking everyone’s names once they start playing well? First Charlie adam, now parker, wtf?
No to Parker, Hell Yeah to Luka Modric
Scott Parker??? . . . only an idiot wud contemplate such a silly option!.
I think we should buy douglas costa and defense midlefield.
We have so many talented youngsters coming through the ranks right now. Do we need to throw away money on someone who *might* fit in?
I often wonder about the change in Carrick’s performance levels over the last couple of years. I was of the same opinion that when Carrick was on top of his game and was one of the rated as one of the best in Europe he had someone in the middle with him who could free him up.
Remembering his performance against Inter Milan away 0-0 in 08/09 where he was majestic, if you look at the team on that night, it was Giggs and Fletcher in the middle with him. If you then look back at most team selections from 06/07 to 08/09, when Carrick was at his best, there was never what you would call a ball winning midfielder with Carrick the middle of the park. It was often Scholes, Fletcher or Anderson. Hargreaves barely played any games with Carrick in the middle.
So I ask you why do you think of 1) That Carrick’s performances over the last two seasons are due to a lack of a ball winning midfielder and 2) Do you still think we don’t need a creative midfielder in the middle of the park?
It seems to me that, if anything, Carrick’s poor form started with 1) That famous evening in Rome where the whole team were disapointing 2) the departure of Ronaldo (and resulting changes in tactics and playing staff due to that) 3) His penalty miss against Burnley at the beginning of the the 09/10 season. Is it simply a case that the player is so fragile that he has been unable to recover from a severe drop in form and the pressure of playing at the top for Utd is just too much?
I completely agree that only a short term option is necessary. and as u rightfully said someone in their peak. I believe that when Ronaldo was at the club, a lot of the oppositions focus was on him, and that also gave Carrick a bit more freedom.
I would prefer if we bought someone who is playing in the English game now…so I wouldnt mind parker, i would prefer Modric tho…but i reckon we’d pay a pretty penny for him.
That being said, if we do manage to get Sneijder I’m not going to complain….
@Carin
Sums up my feelings – as with a lot of the players linked to us, if they joined I wouldn’t complain one bit!
@MK
It’s an interesting theory. I don’t think he’s fragile personally and I disagree with many that he’s had a severe drop in form. He has had a severe drop in position (!) in terms of playing deeper on the pitch and because he’s having to do more of the dirty work and less of the ‘controlling of the games’ there is the assumption his form has dropped. On the contrary his form has been good, he’s done exactly what’s asked of him – win the ball and pass it on quickly to the nearest team mate. It’s a shame that’s his current role as he’s capable of so much more – we all know he is
Why we searching new Paul Scholes.. Just have Pogba a chance..
@ nameonthetrophy
That still doesn’t explain the fact that it is the same players playing with Carrick now in the middle of the park that were when he was playing “better” on in a more suitable position. So why doesn’t Fergie just change it back to what it was then? How is buying a ball winning midfielder (even though I think we need one) going to make Carrick better or more effective since he has never played with one…
@MK
Firstly once upon a time Hargreaves was fit; secondly Fletcher used to play a more restrictive role and thirdly in the days you’re referring to, we actually played a different system to accommodate Ronado – we play a much more rigid system now. The team then was built around Ronaldo; the team now is built on a reliable central area and flair and inspiration out wide – the central midfielders have different requirement now compared to 4 years ago
I can see the merits in a Scott Parker type player as Carrick (who I regularily criticize) always looks far more accomplished with a mobile partner mainly Anderson but it also worked with Hargreaves and with the pace we have in wide areas I wouldn’t worry too much about goals from the centre. the only problem with Parker is how much better is he than Fletcher, have we got the case of looking at someone elses toys and believing they’re better than ours, Fletch also gives 100% and plays well above his station but at the highest level is still a little lacking. I don’t subscribe to this AM or DM and believe that Schweinsteiger is the perfect fit, great technique, a dominating personality and the way he made the Germans tick over in the world cup but letting the young players like Muller & Ozil express them selves might serve us well with the lads comeing through. It would be an expensive shout but 1 quality signing might just raise the game of some excellent players around him. He played wide right when broke through so I can see him just as comfortable right side of a 3 man midfield of Schweinsteiger/Carrick/Anderson it would stand up to any midfield when we play that system in terms of dominance.
@3times
It’s a good point comparing Parker with Fletcher. With Hargreaves injured, I don’t think competition for Fletcher would be a bad thing – he’s not really had any for a long time
The problem with both of them is although they are all heart and lungs but when you just need that little bit of composure & technique they are just lacking. Hargreaves on the over hand you can see his footballing education took place on the continent in the way he passes the ball can cross while in stride (sounds daft but look at how many wingers can’t do it) and stikes a set piece very well. I also look at when we signed Hargreaves, I saw an improvement in Carrick from the previous year (I have always believed he plays a little in awe of Scholesy) and Fletcher came back much stronger after hardly featuring that season. I honestly think that 1 signing would open up our options, opposition would not know if they are facing as Schweinsteiger would allow us to play a confident 442 teams then have to work out weather Rooney is up top with Berb dropping, or Chicharito with Rooney deep, or even Rooney with the 2 wide men. The age differences of Carrick, Fletcher & Schweinsteiger will give us time to ease in Pogba, Tunnicliffe & Morrison. I think Gibson will have to go though to make space.
Couldn’t agree more about Parker. I was actually thinking about him myself over the weekend. I’d be happy to see him in the United midfield next season.
Modric has impressed me many times and he could easily fit in the Scholes role of playing deep and providing for the attack. Plus he is a good tackler and his passing rate is better than Carrick. He would free up Carrick who could then play further up the field like he used to 4 years ago as you have pointed out.
Sneijder is true class and personally i feel that he is better than Modric but he has never played for a premier league side and will take time to adjust to the pace of the game and we need someone who can set in right from day one. Plus Sneijder could cost us around £40-45m while Modric could be available for around £30m.
I would be thrilled to have Sneider but i think Modric is a better fit as he has premier league experience and knows the game well.
Rodwell is young, talented and English so would cost us a bit. Plus i would rather have someone from our academy.
@Shantharam Shenoy
Thanks for your comment. I too would like Modric, I think he’s been Tottenham’s best player. However, Carrick is statistically the best passer in the league
I see why you make the call for parker, he is an excellent player.. the only thing that worries me is his age, and how much value we would get for his transfer fee (unless West Ham go down). I cant remember who made the Schweinsteiger call but he would be perfect for Manchester United! Aggressive, creative, tactically astute, young and can play anywhere and any role in the midfield! The only problem is the potential transfer fee due to his new 4 year deal that he signed last summer! But he would be an immense player if we signed him.
To be honest, i trust fergie in whatever he does and i believe he will manage this transition properly. If he thinks we need a certain player or type of player im sure he will be allowed the funds to sign him. I think the days of signing 3 or 4 big players in a transfer window are long gone. It will be one or two very calculated moves that will hopefully offer us options and solutions to the areas that need addressed. This summer i can see us signing a GK and possibly a midfielder. It wouldnt surprise me if it was only a goalkeeper! Fergie knows what he is doing, his scouts and backroom staff are among the best in the world and he has the backing of the clubs hierarchy. All we need to do is TRUST him! I have faith!!
Interesting point made, agree partially with you though. I think your preference for Parker is because he has premier league experience. But imo somebody coming from the bundesliga or the french league would not do too bad.
That said i would like United to buy Modric. Carrick looks a totally different animal when a proper passer who is mobile plays beside him. He thrives on having such a player beside him. He did it with Scholes in his first two seasons and recently with Anderson. Carrick has always been Class in a 3 man midfield whatever the role, i don’t get why he gets stick, made one or two mistakes, who doesn’t?
So Modric and Carrick will work wonders in central midfield. For defensive mid, my shout is MVilla. Hargreaves played on the right most of the time in Europe so i think we have replaced him with Valencia. In the league however we need a destroyer, but Fletcher can play that role.
Carrick will be much more breathing a sigh of relief if he has Modric beside him than say a destroyer type player. He is bearing too much the weight of passing in this United team and keeping it in proper shape and thus gets exposed sometimes and gets a lot of stick which undermines the huge truckload of passing he does.Fletcher and Anderson are in no way “pass the opposition to death” type players, and Carrick thrives on it. Modric and Carrick will bring back the glory days i think, with them eventually being replaced by the likes of Pogba, Tunnicliffe, Morrison etc.
And we certainly have the amount of money to spend on Modric. We have spent gross amounts of 45mil, 55mil in the last 2 years! Its that SAF has not spent on a big name, but on potential type players. So if we want modric we can get him and a keeper (they are relatively cheap, Adler is a United fan, so any United bid would certainly have him throw tantrums and a transfer request!) and balance the books by some fringe/deadwood sales of 10-15mil and have a nice tidy spending like we always do. We do not need strikers, Anderson will be fit, Fletcher and Carrick are secured and add Modric and that is perfectly good central midfield pool to choose from, and who knows Hargreaves(huge fan!) may return with a miracle!
where would Modric fit in to the current 4-4-2 system? most seem to consider him a deep lying playmaker, but I think he’d be perfect for a left sided playmaker that cuts inside and creates (The Giggs role). He would provide a nice contrast to the winger (Nani or Valencia) on the opposite side, and would clear room for the fullback to overlap.
Although Schweinsteiger is my first call I really rate Modric. The only thing that worries me is we have payed top dollar for our last to purchases from spurs and although I rate both Carrick and Berbatov neither has quite developed into the sum of their parts, considering they had been playing prem football for a number of years(Berbatov was quite devastating for spurs) both have looked like they have just flown in from serie A and need to adjust to the EPL.
i personally feel that united should sell and sign these players accordingly:
OUT:
owen:free transfer
diouf: 6mill
welbeck: loan
cleverly:loan
gibson: loan or sell accordingly
promote pogba for league cup matches
morrisson on loan to a epl or top champonship club for exp
owen hargo if still injured then out
scholes retire although i beg him nt too
IN :
schweinsteiger : 20mill
bale nxt yr maybe wen giggs retires??
cause we already have valencia nani park giggs
and a gk the ajax one hez a free agent nxt yr or nuer or if fergie wants an established one then julio cesar and also charlie adam:
our line up should look like this if it were upto me:
cesar
rafael vidic ferdinand evra
nani adam/fletcher shweinsteinger bale
rooney hernandez
sub: lindegaard fabio smalling carrick fletcher park berbatov….
if we cant get bale an schweinsteiger then mid fletcher an adam with nani left an valencia right
There will be a big midfield signing not that SAF feels he must but to placate the fans and try and get the glazers more accepted . i feel he has a target but has to wait until he is available .SAF will promote from the ranks also . UTD is a blend of youth and experiance that he wont change . Im not saying i agree but this season has been shaky to say the least and we are still hanging in there .