Author: Doron

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Despite being just 20 years old, Federico Macheda is being written off as a potential United footballer in many quarters. His loan move to QPR is widely considered to be a good move for him but has he played his last game in a United shirt?

In many ways, that goal has almost been a curse on Macheda. Andy Gray in commentary said, “a star is born” – in truth, his star has never shone quite as expected since then.

In his first season with the club he struck a good partnership with Danny Welbeck for the U18s. Danny’s a year older than Kiko who aged 16 scored 12 goals in 21 games, ending 2007/08 as the Academy’s top scorer. He even got a chance in the Reserves that year and managed to score two goals in his four appearances.

His second year at the club would become famous for goals in the first team against Villa and Sunderland but they came off the back of yet more impressive returns – 8 goals in 15 Academy games; he quickly outgrew the Academy and as a second year scholar, aged 17 he was fully fledged in the Reserves, making 19 appearances and scoring 11 goals. He ended the season as the Reserve’s top scorer; his tally included a hat-trick against Newcastle at St James’ Park. For his 21 goals across the various levels, he won the club’s young player of the year award.

His third season at the club kick-started not so much a spiral of decline but a slow down of his progression. Up until this point Kiko had excelled not because he was quick or strong (there were plenty of quicker and stronger players) but because he was a lethal instinctive striker. It may come as a surprise to many but his touch back then was superb and certainly not half as donkey-like as it is now! As with many young footballers though, Kiko started to get niggles related to his growth and 2009/10 was very stop-start; he never really had any rhythm or consistency – he only made 8 Reserve appearances but still scored four times.

The league cup and ‘easier’ Champions League games were a good chance for Kiko to get games but he rarely stood out. He was often played up front on his own – something that has never really suited him because he’s not the fastest nor the strongest. Macheda’s also odd in that instead of standing out in a weaker side, he just fades; his best performances tend to come when he’s surrounded by better players. This was seen when he got his fitness back towards the end of the 2009/10 season when cameo appearances off the bench were often game-changing. One in particular that stands out was the 3-1 win over Spurs – his link-up play was excellent and he assisted the final goal in the game. In general his ability on the ball is somewhat underrated; he’s a much cleverer player than he often lets on. Unfortunately rustiness has seen him lose that sharpness he most definitely once had.

It’s amazing to think that when Kiko shone on the 2010 summer tour to America he was still only 18. The biggest problem he faces is that expectations are sky high because of what he did against Villa. Once again he got minutes in the team in the first half of the 2010/11 season but they continued to come in weakened or rotated XIs where he’d have minimal service and then rush the one chance that would come his way.

There was something of an arrogance or swagger about Macheda. Maybe he felt he’d already ‘made it’ or believed he was better than he was – either way he needed regular minutes, ideally in the Premier League. They came in the form of a doomed loan spell to Sampdoria. He got regular playing time but often from the bench and only scored one goal in 16 appearances. His problem was that the coach who’d signed him was sacked soon after he joined and the new coach didn’t fancy playing him much. With his playing time diminishing and his confidence low, he returned to United at the end of the season having regressed if anything. The football in Italy didn’t suit him, it was so much slower than in England and he joined a team playing badly and in decline.

Once again, this summer he did well on tour, impressing with the minutes he got and scoring goals. His biggest issue was however the fact he’d now become at best, 5th choice after Welbeck’s amazing progress at Sunderland. That full year loan at a PL side is exactly what Macheda needed this season but despite links to WBA it didn’t happen. Instead he’s had to make do with minutes in the Reserves and fleeting first team appearances, often out on the left hand side – great for the development of someone like Welbeck who does have that versatility, but Macheda’s very much a striker and will never be a winger so playing him there is pointless.

His form this year has been poor – his injuries in 2009/10 can’t be overlooked and last year was awful for him, the chain of events have massively hindered his progress. He needs a fresh start to re-kick-start his career and this loan to QPR could well be it.

In the grand scheme of football he’s still so young but at United he has players ahead of him and those behind him are pushing hard now too. First team football in England is invaluable and at QPR he’ll have plenty of chances created for him but they’re a hard-working team too, it’ll teach him to get stuck in and do his bit. Once again though, it’s so infuriating it’s not a full season loan. Five months is ok but he’ll need time to settle and get used to how QPR play, yet the fans will all expect instant results from him.

Looking ahead, he’s contracted until 2014 and Fergie has lots of faith in him. Next season he’ll turn 21 and with a bit of luck he’ll get a full year loan. Not all players develop early, for some it can take a while to mature – Cleverley is the perfect example, he was 21 when he went on loan to Wigan. There’s no reason why Macheda can’t get his confidence back and with that, some form. He’s still a talent, you don’t lose that natural ability that he once so regularly showed (of course, plenty do well in the Reserves and don’t make it but he was clearly a cut above).

His loan move is expected to be announced on Monday and will no doubt cue plenty to write him off and say we’ll never see him in a United shirt again; I’d recommend that conclusion isn’t reached so hastily.

Author: Doron

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I like to think that it’s not often that this blog moans or grumbles but two stories circling in the media today are worthy of a rare controlled outburst! The topics are the UEFA Champions League and Paul Scholes…

Champions League reinstatement

The BBC’s homepage has the headline: “Man Utd given European lifeline”. The story has been published across most media outlets and can be read here.

In short, United may get an opportunity to play in the Champions League knock-out stages after all. FC Sion fielded ineligible players in the Europa League earlier this season and were thrown out the competition. If the Swiss FA take no action by the 13th January then Swiss football may be punished with their clubs thrown out of European competitions. This would see Basel removed from the Champions League and it’s been suggested that United could come back in to face Bayern Munich.

Sounds like a horrible idea to me. For starters, I think if Basel are thrown out then Bayern should just be given a bye to the quarter finals rather than United brought back in – what does that mean for Ajax and that clearly shows one competition favoured over another by UEFA.

More importantly, it would be incredibly embarrassing for United. We weren’t good enough in the group stages and were fairly knocked out of the competition. We don’t deserve to be there. Many fans have already booked flights and hotels for Amsterdam too; many would I imagine be non-refundable. Hopefully Basel will be allowed to play, they came second in our group and shouldn’t be punished as a result of another team’s errors. One can only hope that United would turn down a return to the CL if it was offered to them.

Paul Scholes return

This story can be found in various tabloids, here’s The Sun’s version.

To summarise, papers are claiming that United players want and are urging Paul Scholes to come out of retirement and play for United again in the second half of the season. This story comes at a convenient time – United are short of central midfielders; Scholes coaches at the club; United are looking for ‘value’ again; and Fergie was asked about it yesterday.

Fergie’s response to being asked about whether Scholes was considering coming out of retirement was to laugh the story off. No doubt the current United players have a joke around with him but I somehow doubt there is something of a ‘Scholes to return campaign’ within the club as suggested by the press.

Let’s not forget, Scholes retired as he wanted to play every week at the top level and he felt he could no longer do so – 7 months later I somehow doubt that’s changed. Few would be surprised if he’s still got all the technical ability he had, if he can still ping accurate balls 50 yards; but Scholes not only required a 4-5-1 last year but also found some games just passing him by.

He’s not the answer to our midfield problems at all. Whilst the idea is nice it’s wrong. Scholes and the club have moved on and have to continue to do so, there’s no point taking a step backwards. The club should be looking to buy someone and should have bought someone a while ago – a Scholes return would smack of total desperation.

I’d rather see a youngster given a chance, and if we have to go 18 months without winning the league, so be it. We have a new generation of young midfielders, many of whom have the quality to potentially play regularly for the club but we have to have some patience. Going out to Basel in the Champions League just reiterated that the club are ready to turn a new chapter and move on, not go back.

It’s not to say than an older player isn’t an option. Henrik Larsson’s loan in 2007 was an inspired move by Fergie, he provided added experience and rejuvenated the dressing room. As a short term thing, it worked and something similar could work again; but it needs to be a player currently playing.

Scholes will always be remembered as one of the greatest midfielders the club had – he won’t want to tarnish his legacy and as fans we should hope the club take steps forwards not one back.

Both stories in their own way are embarrassing. United even being considered for CL reinstatement is horrific – we got knocked out fair and square. The story’s not of our own doing but would be embarrassing for the club if it were to happen. The Scholes story is embarrassing in that it sums up what our midfield has become; through injuries and through lack of quality. He’s not the answer.

Author: Doron

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Paul Pogba’s been linked with a move away from the club recently with Inter, Man City and Arsenal all being named as admirers. It’s thought his contract ends this summer and his agent is keen for him to get a large pay rise. However, new quotes from Sir Alex Ferguson suggest this isn’t the case, yet.

Paul Pogba’s tricky contract situation seems a little clear tonight. Fergie has confirmed that the club have the option to extend his current deal by one year, taking him through to June 2013. This would mean that if it is invoked then foreign clubs wouldn’t be able to offer Pogba a contract this January and English clubs wouldn’t be able to speak to him in June.

Fergie has confirmed that ideally the club want to tie him down to a new deal altogether however admits that his agent is proving tricky to work with.

There’s little doubt that Pogba enjoys being at the club and along with the other FA Youth Cup winners last year, he’s part of a very talented generation. He’s already played three first team games at a younger age (18 years, 9 months) than Gibson, Fletcher, Scholes, Butt or Beckham did. His talent is unquestionable but he’ll have to remain patient too. His physique is coming along nicely as is his technical and attacking ability; it’s his defensive side that maybe lets him down at the moment as well as moments of casualness.

Time is on his side but with the current midfield crisis he may well get a chance soon and could be in the squad to face QPR this weekend.

Quotes from Fergie today:

“You don’t need to chase money at a club like Manchester United, it will eventually find you. He’s got an agent who’s obviously become a bit difficult but we’re negotiating with this agent and we want the boy to stay. But it’s down to the individual also. Matt Busby summed it up perfectly, that you don’t need to chase money at a club like Manchester United, it will eventually find you.

If you’re good enough, you will earn money and become rich playing for us, there’s no doubt about it. You hope he gets the right advice. All the young players who remain here always do well. It’s one of these situations that they can chase the money early in their career but at the end it’s not the same as if they’d stayed here. It’s the decision the player has to take himself, no matter who he is, about where they think their best future will be. He just needs to look round about him to realise that. But if he wants to go, there is nothing we can do about it.

We have an option on Paul’s contract that takes us into a year-and-a-half away so in that respect there’s not a great emergency about it. But we’d like the boy to sign a contract and if he’d like to be a Manchester United player then he knows what to do.

There will be chances here. We’ve got players capable of wearing the red jersey and, and they’ll wear it with complete confidence they can do well. I think it’s how you handle the situation. We’re not panicking. We’ve got enough experience in the staff to cope with these things. We know it happens and there’s no point crying about it. You just get on with it, there’s nothing else you can do. You’ve got injuries, deal with it.

You’re always tempted to buy if you feel the right player comes along, you have to be. But they’re not there, so what do you do? It is one of these situations that unless a player we have been interested in for a while appears and we can get him, then there is not much point brining in an individual in just because it gives you another number.

Pogba is a possibility because he is a big strong lad, he’s a good athlete, he is improving, he is developing well. In terms of the FA Youth Cup winning team of last season, he, physically, is better than the rest of that group, maybe apart from Zeki Fryers who is a very good athlete.”

This story and all the quotes come from The Mirror and manutd.com.

It is being reported that Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic has suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament, which will rule him out for the remainder of the 2011/12 season. The news will come as a massive blow to Sir Alex Ferguson who saw his Manchester United side dumped of the Champions League by Swiss side FC Basel. United have suffered a number of injuries to defenders this season, with Vidic and Ferdinand picking up injuries on the opening day of the season against WBA.

The comments about Vidic’s injury were released by his agent Silvano Martina, however Manchester United are yet to comment on these reports. Martina was speaking to an Italian football website (calciomercato.com) about a possible move to Juventus for the Serbian defender, however he quickly moved to defuse any discussion of a move – citing Vidic’s injury as the main reason:

“It seems inappropriate to talk about that because unfortunately he has suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament,”

He was then asked whether or not the injury would rule his client out for a long period, and replied:

“Unfortunately so, yes. So even if it was true [about Juventus], right now there would be no sense in talking about it.”

Nemanja Vidic fouled Marco Streller just on the stroke of half time, but fell awkwardly and his right leg got caught underneath the Basel frontman’s body. He was immediately stretchered off and replaced by Johny Evans. Sir Alex Ferguson had hoped that his skipper would be out potentially for only four months, however recovery time from a cruciate ligament injury is around nine months – meaning he will miss the rest of the season.

Author: Doron

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With the 25th anniversary of Sir Fergie coming up many pundits are having their say on the great man and his reign. Alan Hansen has chosen to focus on his now infamous comment on Match of the Day in 1995, “You can’t win anything with kids”.

His column in the main is rather fair, full of praise and respect for the boss but one paragraph irked me:

“Alex has never said it but I think he might have agreed with me to a certain extent – and some people have told me he used to say “you’ll win nothing with kids” to his players to inspire them. So I suppose you could say I played my part in their success”.

Tongue-in-cheek it might have been but one gets the impression that Hansen probably does mean this on some level otherwise why include it?

It’s very possible that Fergie may have laughed at Hansen’s comment, maybe even used it in the odd team talk or team meeting to motivate his players but let’s face it, it had little impact on United’s success – the seeds to which were already sown.

Fergie’s decision to place his faith in youth was already made up and the likes of Beckham, Scholes, Giggs, Butt, Gary and Phil Neville were already making impressions in the A and B teams – their talent was already known about and they were already on the right path to having successful careers.

So Mr Hansen, a little joke it may have been but let’s be clear… no United fans will be thanking you when we celebrate 25 years of Fergie. Only one man and his loyal staff are responsible for 25 years of success and glory.

Author: Stretford_End

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Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton has revealed that he is ‘stunned’ by United’s best start to a league campaign. United have picked up maximum points in their opening five games, scoring twenty one goals in the process. United have recorded victories over London clubs Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham – whilst beating Bolton and WBA on their travels. Sir Bobby admits that it is a fantastic, if unusual, start for the Champions. We’ve looked back at the previous twenty seasons and documented the number of points United have obtained within their first five games.

Below are Sir Bobby’s comments from earlier today, including praise for the Premier League’s top goal scorer Wayne Rooney:

You never know at the start what’s going to happen but United have got off to a flier. It’s a very unusual start for Manchester United but it’s fantastic. The fans are enjoying it and even those who are just general football fans because of the way we play. Even the goals we are scoring are dramatic. He is (Rooney) a marvellous player. You can tell he is very happy at the moment and he will score a lot more goals this season and beyond.

The following chart highlight United’s total point accumulation from the opening five fixtures in the league over the past twenty years (click to enlarge):

United’s amazing start has been reflected in Sir Bobby’s comments, however I believe the manner that the results were achieved has been most pleasing. United have swept aside a Tottenham side (who played Liverpool off the park at the weekend), humiliated a decimated Arsenal and beat last season’s runners up (Chelsea) 3-1, having missed a penalty and hit the post/bar in a thoroughly entertaining fixture. United’s ball retention and one touch passing has been exceptional at times, with Wayne Rooney being the obvious star performing, scoring nine goals in those five fixtures.

Looking at the history books, United’s worst start to a season was in the 2004/05 (in which United ended the season trophy less), losing to Chelsea on the opening day of the season. The second worst start of a season was in 92/93, when United lifted the league title for the first time since 1967. United lost the opening game to Sheffield United and then went down 3-0 at home to Everton. Many fans may also have forgotten the slow start United got off to in the 98/99 treble winning season , which included a 3-0 hammering at rivals Arsenal in the September (which saw Nicky Butt getting a red card).

Although no one should be complaining about United’s unbelievable start to the season, including the style of football United are playing at the moment, any levelled headed fan will appreciate that nothing is won in September – something that was reiterated by Sir Alex in his pre-match comments against Chelsea. United started the 1997/98 season with four wins and a draw, only to go and squander a the league title to Arsenal. In the two European Cup winning seasons of the past twelve years, United obtained eight points – seven less than this season. As I mentioned previously, the football has been first class and Ferguson’s men have stepped it up a notch from last term. The signings of Jones and Young look to be superb business, whilst the maturing of Anderson, Smalling, Welbeck and Cleverley have been pivotal in this fantastic start. United travel next to Stoke City, can the Champions make it six out of six?

AUTHOR: – Doron

Gabriel Obertan has signed for Newcastle United on a five year deal for an undisclosed fee. He leaves after two full seasons at Man United having made 28 first team appearances.

Newcastle United have confirmed they have signed United’s versatile French winger, Gabriel Obertan on a five year deal. The fee is undisclosed but said to be around £3m. Obertan joined United for a similar fee in the summer of 2009. His signing was considered to be low-risk due to the fee and obscurity of the deal. Obertan had previously been hyped up as one of Europe’s hottest prospects but a back injury at Bordeaux had stunted his progress and ended with a poor loan at Lorient. French doctors had been unable to pin-point the cause of the problem and he failed to live up to early promise he’d shown as a 17 year old.

Upon signing for United, doctors quickly identified what his long-standing back problem had been and he spent his first few months at the club recovering from treatment. His first season saw him start only one league game and he made 13 appearances in total without scoring. He often showed promise off the bench as his pace, trickery and unpredictability caused tired defences to panic – most memorably away at Wolfsburg in the Champions League.

In the summer of 2010 he had an excellent pre-season showing maturity and confidence in his play but he picked up an ankle injury that meant he missed the beginning of the season. He made a few more league starts and played 15 times in total, scoring once away at Bursaspor in the Champions League. He scored his fair share of goals with the Reserves and regularly performed well at that level but his attitude to not getting first team minutes was often questioned as a rumoured January transfer request was handed in and he was spotted away at Wigan with headphones in, not watching the game – however he regularly gave his all playing for the Reserves and never moaned or complained publicly once. His issue is more a case of mental strength and self-belief than attitude.

This summer he had another good pre-season tour in America and this has lead to Newcastle signing him. He has told their club website:

“I spoke with some of my friends and Newcastle is a big club with history in England, so it’s a great move. I’m just really happy to be here because this is still a big club for me. It wasn’t really a difficult decision to come here. I spent two good years in Manchester but it was a bit difficult with the competition and I really needed a club where I could play more games. I know it won’t be easy to play each game here, because there’s a good group, but I want a fresh start in my football. Manchester United are one of the biggest clubs in the world but Newcastle is a massive club in England so I’m looking forward to making my debut in front of the fans I’ve heard so much about.”

His new manager, Alan Pardew added:

“Gabriel is a player I’ve watched for the last couple of seasons since he arrived at Manchester United. He has great pace and excellent technique and he has improved his power in the last 12 months and is ready now to make a real impact in the Premier League. I contacted Sir Alex about him early at the start of the summer to see if there was an opportunity to bring him to Newcastle, but it wasn’t until Wayne Routledge joined Swansea that we were able to bring him in. His best years are ahead of him which is exactly what we want at this club, and with the backing of our magnificent fans I’m sure he will prove an excellent signing for us.”

Good luck to Gabriel, if he can learn how to use his physique well then Newcastle could have a good player on their hands.

AUTHOR: – Doron

AUTHOR: – Doron

Man United travel to America on Monday to start their pre-season tour. New signing, Ashley Young will be part of the initial 21 man squad and will wear the number 18 shirt next season. Six other players will be joining the squad later but there are some notable absentees.

United play their first game of the pre-season tour against New England Revolution on Wednesday and fly out on Monday. The tour squad has been announced with 21 players in the travelling party:

Goalkeepers: Ben Amos, Sam Johnstone, Anders Lindegaard
Defenders: Rafael, Fabio, Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Jonny Evans
Midfielders: Michael Carrick, Anderson, Ryan Giggs, Ji-sung Park, Gabriel Obertan, Nani, Ashley Young
Forwards: Mame Biram Diouf, Kiko Macheda, Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, Dimitar Berbatov

There will be six players joining the tour later having had an extended summer break due to international commitments. They are: Chris Smalling, Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley, Chicharito and new signings David de Gea and Phil Jones.

The club have confirmed the squad numbers that the trio of new signings will wear next season: De Gea – 1; Jones – 4; and Young – 18.

There is a great chance for young talented goalkeeper Sam Johnstone to get some first team action having already been in first team squads before; whilst Amos and Lindegaard will stake their claims before De Gea joins up. Defensively the initial squad is a bit thin so there may be plenty of entertaining attacking football on show.

There are some notable absentees however. Darren Fletcher doesn’t travel, no reason has been offered as to why. Darron Gibson and Tomasz Kuszczak are also not on the squad list and both are expected to leave the club this summer.

AUTHOR: – Doron

AUTHOR: – Doron

Van der Sar, Neville, Hargreaves, and Scholes have all departed; now further money has been taken off the wage bill with the sale of O’Shea and Brown to Sunderland for an undisclosed fee.

O’Shea and Brown leave having made a combined 755 appearances in which they’ve scored a total of 20 goals. It leaves United with something of a hole in terms of back-up in either fullback position. With Phil Jones having already signed for the club, there are no issues in the centre of defence for depth and he can cover in front of the back four too. Smalling has shown he’s an able back-up right back as has Evans in the left back area. However it seems a lot will be riding on Fabio and Rafael being able to stay injury free next year.

Brown departs after 14 seasons in the first team and 362 appearances. He scored 5 goals with one coming this year against Crawley Town in the FA Cup. This was a frustrating season for Wes – 15 appearances of which 10 were starts and he only started 4 league games. He didn’t qualify for a league winners medal and reportedly had a couple of bust-ups with Fergie over the past 12 months. He is a product of United’s academy and is something of a fan favourite – his song is often sung home and away. Brown has been frozen out though due to the rise of the Da Silva twins, Evans and Smalling. His best season was arguably in 2007/08 when United were European and league champions; he played a pivotal role at right back and assisted Ronaldo’s goal in the Champions League final.

O’Shea is another home-grown player and having made 32 appearances this season has taken his total tally to 393. It was only the second season in eight that he’s failed to score but he does have 15 goals to his name for United. His most famous goal came in March 2007 – with United down to 10 men he scored a last minute winner in front of The Kop to send fans and players alike delirious. Two years earlier he scored his best goal, a delicate chip late on at Highbury to seal off a 4-2 win over Arsenal. Maybe his most important goal though was in April 2009 in the first leg of a Champions League semi final against Arsenal – his goal at Old Trafford gave United the lead heading into the second leg. O’Shea has always gotten games due to his versatility – he’s able to play across the back four and in midfield too. He’s even played in goal for United away at Spurs. Rather infamously, he’s considered to be a clumsy player not known for his skill but he did once nutmeg Figo!

Wes told Sunderland’s TV station today:

“It’s been alright [making the decision] maybe because I’m older. It was disappointing not to have played as much as I could at Manchester United over the last couple of seasons so just to know that I’ll be back in, playing, I’m focusing on that really and looking forward to it. Last season, I couldn’t get into the team and that was frustrating but that’s football and you move on. Sunderland is a big club and Steve Bruce was a big factor coming into it. That’s what it came down to really. When I was younger, I used to watch Steve and I’ve known him a bit as well so it was fine. I know a couple of lads who have been here and they say it’s a wonderful club and I thought this was the place for me to come.”

On signing him, Steve Bruce said:

“We are delighted to welcome a player of Wes’ ability, experience and character to the club. He has been a fantastic professional for Manchester United through the years and not only will he strengthen our defensive options, he will also bring with him a winning mentality and level of maturity which can only be positive for the players around him.”

Meanwhile Sir Alex Ferguson had only glowing words for the departing Brown:

“Wes has been a great asset to the club during the most successful period in its history. He was a product of the youth system and marked himself out from an early age as one of his generation’s most natural defenders. In his time with us, he certainly became a favourite with the fans for his no-nonsense approach to the game and his infectious personality. It’s always the hardest of decisions to let loyal servants go. But life moves on and, unquestionably, Wes will get the chance to make a real contribution to Steve Bruce’s Sunderland and I’m delighted to be passing him into such good hands. Everyone connected with United wishes him a long and happy stay at Sunderland.”

Having signed after Wes, O’Shea also spoke to SAFC TV:

“Once I’d heard reports about the club and the people here, the ambitions and what the manager was all about it was the only place I was going to come to. I had to wait a few weeks for the birth of my child, that’s why it seems protracted. It wasn’t really, it was fairly straightforward. Leaving United was one of those things, I was there for 13 fantastic years but this is a new exciting challenge and hopefully we can have good times with Sunderland like I had with Manchester United.”

Bruce was delighted to sign O’Shea:

“John has been a solid, consistent part of Manchester United’s squad for well over a decade which goes to show the fantastic pedigree of player we have signed. He is a wonderful professional both on and off the field and his wealth of experience and versatility will be great attributes for us. I’m delighted with the players we’ve been able to secure ahead of the new season.”

Fergie also had a warm parting message for John:

“John has been an outstanding servant to the club, since he broke into the first team almost a decade ago. His versatility, calmness under pressure and his commitment to the cause at United means that fans will remember him with great affection. John has won so many medals – and has deserved every one of them. He epitomises our club’s approach as a team. After so many years of service to United, I’m pleased that John has found a career opportunity which will deliver the number of games he deserves. We wish John every success in his new life. Steve Bruce is a manager that knows how to blend youth and experience and I’m sure he has John earmarked for a senior role in trying to take Sunderland on from their finish last season.”

The experience that these two players will leave behind is irreplaceable, they’ve been wonderful servants and here are some of their best moments:

O’Shea nutmegs Figo:

O’Shea scores a chip at Highbury::

O’Shea as a goalkeeper:

O’Shea last minute winner at Anfield:

O’Shea scores vs. Arsenal in the Champions League semi-final:

Classic O’Shea skill:

A typical O’Shea shot:

Wes Brown scores vs. Liverpool:

Wes Brown compilation:

He’s big, he’s bad, he’s Wesley Brown:

We wish the best of luck to Wes and John.

AUTHOR: – Doron

AUTHOR: – Doron

United’s second foray into the transfer market this summer has seen versatile midfielder/winger/forward, Ashley Young join from Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £15m.

Young, turns 26 this summer has been linked with a move to United for the past few months. Liverpool are said to have been interested too but it seems Young wanted to play Champions League football as he moves towards the peak years of his career.

It’s three and a half years since Young made his England debut and he’s gone on to play 15 times for his country, scoring two goals. Most recently he came on at half time to change England’s fortune against Switzerland. Despite being predominantly right footed, Young is able to play on either wing and has built a reputation as a great crosser and set piece taker. His versatility will no doubt be an attraction too – he’s able to play as a central midfielder and as a second striker as well. He would provide good competition for the current set of wingers, maybe not a priority, but something that is probably needed.

Young was born in Stevenage and was at Watford as a youth player. Aged 18 he was given his debut in their first team and impressed early on, scoring three goals in his first six league games. The 2005/06 was his big breakthrough year as he scored 15 in 43 for Watford as well as laying on 13 assists. In the January of 2007 he moved to Aston Villa for a total fee of just under £10m. He’s continued to impress in a series of different roles at Villa, he’s scored 37 goals in 188 games and assisted a further 57 goals. So far in his short career he averages a contribution (goal or assist) every 2.25 games – an incredibly impressive return. Here’s hoping he can step up to the next level.

Young has signed a 5 year deal and told MUTV:

“To get the opportunity to come and play for one of the biggest clubs in the world is one I couldn’t turn down. I’ll get to play with such great players who play for the club and hopefully become part of the club’s history in winning the 20th title. It’s a prospect I’ve always looked at as a child, to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, and I’ve got that opportunity now so I’ve just got to take it with two hands.”

The full interview will be shown at 6.30pm BST on MUTV.

We’ve had our own say on why this deal may make sense for United, you can read that by clicking here.

You can discuss the Ashley Young signing in our forum.

AUTHOR: – Doron