United to try new options at left back

Author: Doron

Follow Doron on Twitter

United’s only recognised left back on tour is an 18 year old who’s only had a taste of Reserve team football. At his press conference yesterday, Sir Alex Ferguson said that winger, Robbie Brady, would be tried there as the club look at options for the season ahead. With Evra not on tour and Fabio loaned out, who’ll start the season as first choice left back?


Speaking to the national press, Sir Alex Ferguson mulled over find a back-up for Evra:

“Young Robbie Brady will be at left-back. He’s actually an outside-left but we believe there’s the possibility he’ll develop into a left-back. He was on loan last year at Hull City and did very well. He’ll certainly figure at left-back. I don’t know how many substitutes will be allowed – we need to establish that – but I’m sure we can be flexible. It’s important the young players get a chance to play on such a big occasion.

Left-back is an area which we’re paying attention to. Patrice, in the last five years has played an average of 45-50 games. It’s phenomenal. I don’t know if anybody else has achieved that. He’s still a fit lad and has the same drive and ambition. He’s a fighter.

Fabio went to QPR, which was so important for the boy because he has enormous ability, but he needs to play. Because Evra, touch wood, is never injured, the opportunities haven’t been there for the boy. He played a few games last season but it’s not enough for a young boy of 21 years. He needed to continue with his progress. With Fabio at QPR for a year, we’re just a little short in that department.

That’s why we’re trying Robbie Brady at left-back. We also have Tyler Blackett here – he’s a big, strong boy, tall and quick going forward. But he’s only just turned 18. He has time on his side but he’s here for the experience and he may yet surprise us.”

Few would argue against the fact that Evra’s form has dipped in the past 18 months. Some fans would like to see him replaced altogether whilst others think that he just needs to be managed and rotated out the team at times in order to keep him fresh and sharp. Leighton Baines has been linked for months now and a move for him did seem incredibly likely at one point but right now, on tour, Robbie Brady will have a go. Robbie has played left back for United’s Reserves and with Fabio at QPR on loan he might be able to get into the first team via this route. Tyler Blackett, who’s a super prospect, may also get a chance to impress having been part of the successful 2010/11 FA Youth Cup winning squad.

It’ll be fascinating to see who starts at left back for United away to Everton on the opening day, but also who goes into the season as Evra’s back-up (or replacement). Would you rather Evra was replaced or rotated?

6 Comments on United to try new options at left back

  1. why we have to sacrifice Brady’s attacking ability by put him as a left full back? we should remember what happened to Kieran Richardson when Sir Alex put him as a left back

  2. Rotated. If he was to be replaced, it would take ages for Fabio to ever get back in the team and he really has some talent.

  3. Evra should be rotated, and honestly i didn’t think brady was gonna make it as a winger at utd providing the competition and we’re always in the market for a winger… So in my own opinion he could nw be a versatile left sided player for utd…he can play on the wings at some point,but can also gain enough experience playing as a left-back… Wish him a great tour!!

  4. Evra should be given the opportunity to start next season; it is way too easy to say he has had a difficult 18 months while forgetting he had been consistently excellent for the previous five years. Still excellent going forward, the mistakes he made last season were crucial lapses of concentration rather than him suddenly becoming a poor player. Still excellent going forward, hopefully the lapses of concentration won’t happen as much with Vidic fit again alongside him.

    And about Baines: he does seem an attractive player to buy right now but you have to ask yourself if Baines would play back-up to never-injured Evra, and indeed whether Evra would play back-up to Baines? Or would they play interchangeably? Unlikely.

  5. What’s going to happen to him is exactly what happened to Jordi Alba.
    We can try him as a full back for a few games.. and if it doesn’t work out at all, he can play as a LW. Even though the chances on the LW will be very less considering we have Valencia, Nani, Young, Giggs, Moura (signing soon) and even Welbeck playing there sometimes.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*