Why Manchester United will Rule the World
November 26th, 2007 by mrjefeYes, you’ve read correctly. With the soccer world gravitating around the English Premier League dare we dream of a repeat of 1999? Despite last weekend’s loss to Bolton, there is strong belief in Sir Alex Ferguson’s boast that this perhaps his strongest squad ever…
Rather than start a comparison between Eric Cantona and Cristiano Ronaldo or if Rooney and Tevez will outgun Yorke and Cole, I’d rather focus on the tangibles and what United is doing right today.
For this first time since the class of 92 graduated into a winning team, today’s formula sees a balance of high quality youth laced with the evergreen presence of “old timers” like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Edwin Van Der Sar. While not quite the finished product, Ronaldo and Rooney are world class in stature and the additions of Tevez, Portugese speedster Nani and when fit, Saha means that Fergie has more options than ever before to form the sharp end of his attack.
In Owen Hargreaves, we now have a genuine end-to-end player in the mould of Roy Keane, keeping the sometimes under-performing Carrick on his toes. And if there was a player to step into Schole’s presumably ginger colored socks, it could be with the passing flair of young Brazilian, Anderson.
In defence, Vidic continues to build from last season’s success as a genuine blood and guts defender. Paired with Ferdinand and anchored by Van Der Sar, the defence looks rock solid. Throw in the roving wingbacks, most notably Evra whose confusion over whether he is a winger or wingback is welcome, and we have the formula to put most teams on the back pedal most of the time.
It is however at rightback where some work is needed. While Gerard Piquet – mistake at the Reebok aside, has proven to be an able backup at centreback, Gary Neville’s long term replacement does not appear to be Brown in color or name. I won’t bother to get into speculation, but I foresee this to be a temporary problem with a world class rightback to be next on the buying list.
Alright I concede, we are one striker short. Make that 1.5 given salsa boy’s frequent injuries. My dream target would of course be Zlatan Ibrahimovic but that would be speculation right?
I guess it would be downright arrogant of me not to consider the title aspirations of the Gunners or the Rafa-lution in Liverpool or even the Roman revolution at Chelsea. Well if that is to be considered arrogant – so be it. J
November 26th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
The loss at Reebok was certainly disappointing but I rather have it now than at a crucial stage of the season. Can’t agree more with your assessment of our beloved Devils. I am particular impressed with Anderson and the work rate of Tevez. But most of all, my pick for player of season thus far for Man U has to be the amazing Evra. Bring on the treble……err…..the Real treble!!!
November 27th, 2007 at 10:44 am
Although I am Arsenal fan, I do watched other team matches as well. Last Saturday, I got watch Liverpool match and follow by Man Utd match at nasi kandar shop in Penang with my friend who is Man Utd fan. Without Rooney and Ronaldo, Man Utd really cant break through the stuborn Bolton defense line. With both Carrick and Hargreaves playing together in the central midfield, as both of them consider defensive midfielder, Man Utd lack playmaker likes Scholes or Anderson for attacking option to unlock the Bolton defence. Furthermore, without Vidic, his replacement Pique, make a silly mistake by not guarding Anelka and miss the header that allow Anelka to score the winner goal. I must admit Ferdinand and Vidic are the current best defenders that their partnership form the rock at the back but missing either 1 of them will easily explore by opponent team as their replacement either Pique, Brown or Silvestre cant do the job as Man Utd lacking the 3rd choice central back subs. I always used to hear that when Big Sam managed Bolton last time, Arsenal young guns are always get bullied by the Bolton physical approach and when Wenger complain it, other managers will laugh and say Arsenal not physical enough to handle such senario. Now Man Utd also get the same feel and fate likes Arsenal get last time and tested the physical approach by Bolton especially when Davies aiming Evra over and over again and Ferguson fall into the trap by getting sent off by referee for complaining it. As overall, if comparing player to player, of course Man Utd players are better but if comparing team play, team spirit, confidence and self belief, Arsenal are better in my point of view. There is alot of proof showing Arsenal never give up until the final whistle as until now, uncountable matches that Arsenal are scoring in the last 10mins that still maintaining the 28 matches unbeaten run so far. Remember, there is always critics by other managers and players that Arsenal not deep in squad depth and will lose when missing Fabregas. Last Saturday, again Arsenal proof it that even without Fabregas, Hleb, Flamini and v. Persie, Arsenal is still able to win the game. Additional, England players are over-rated, expensive, too egos, and this is why England fail to qualify for Euro 2008. But it is still too early to say who will be the EPL champions as there is long way to go and no point arguing who wil win, by end of May, we all will know who is the best team in EPL.
November 27th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
You sure have a lot say about MU although you’re a fan of Arsenal. Hehehehe…kudos to Arsenal and especially Wenger for believing in his young talents. That’s how team should be developed over time. I reckon at the top, it has always been MU and Arsenal investing in the youth talents at their academies and as can be seen, it is bearing fruits especially for Arsenal. I have always enjoyed watching Arsenal play since Wenger became the manager. This season they finally been able to convert the chances better than before….that’s the difference between last season and this season. Their passing play has always been there….sometimes over elaborate. You have to say their midfielders are finally scoring a lot more than before and that’s the telling play right now for Arsenal. It certainly would be an interesting season.