Would United be better off keeping certain fringe players?
In May 2011, a story appeared on every newspaper, website and television channel which has been very familiar for the past twenty years or so; ‘Manchester United are the Champions’.
Having won the league title by 9 points, many would assume that not a lot needs to be changed in the dressing room at Old Trafford.
The Manager remains as confident with the media and as tactically shrewd as any young whipper snapper getting into the game.
The senior side dominated domestically once again, winning the Premier League and progressing to the latter stages of both cup competitions and firmly establishing themselves as the team to beat.
Finally, looking below the surface, both the reserves and youth side are brimming with talent and have endured long yet successful seasons which included silverware.
So I want to ask, what is the problem? Why are so many members of our squad linked with moves away from Old Trafford?
Edwin Van Der Sar and Paul Scholes speak for themselves – they are retiring from the game whilst at the top; however, Tomas Kuszczak, Jonny Evans, Wes Brown, Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic, Owen Hargreaves, Darron Gibson, John O’Shea, Bebe and Dimitar Berbatov have all been linked with moves elsewhere.
I would like to state here that firstly, I firmly believe the likes of Evra and Vidic leaving Manchester United is definitely media speculation and your typical column filling rubbish in order to sell a newspaper; and secondly, it is silly season in which every player known to man gets linked with every club in the country – however for the other players on the above list, this seems to be more than just a rumour and could soon well be a reality.
Bebe has finalised his loan move to Besiktas and sadly, Owen Hargreaves has not been offered a new contract so will be released on a free transfer; and what about the rest? Well it is only the middle of June, we have weeks ahead of us so anything can and probably will happen.
In the summer of 1995 Sir Alex Ferguson was criticized for letting superstars such as Mark Hughes, Andrei Kanchelskis and Paul Ince leave Old Trafford. Having lost out on the league title to Blackburn a few months earlier – Sir Alex knew that it was the right time for change, and we all know that decision proved correct as United went on to do well without them over the next few years.
Other superstars and fans favourites have also left United and different stages, usually when Sir Alex sees fit; Ruud Van Nistelrooy, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo spring to mind.
So having previous successful experiences in changing the squad dynamic, is this a case of Sir Alex thinks our squad no longer good enough?
Is it that Sir Alex is joining in with this media obsession that every team needs to be more like Barcelona?
Is it a case of Sir Alex thinks everybody around us will improve and we need to remain one step ahead of our rivals?
Is it a case of Sir Alex feels we were lucky to win things last season?
Our manager has the full trust and respect from everybody associated with the club, from the owners, all the way down to the fans with his staff and players in between; if he feels the wholesale changes are needed then who are we to doubt his judgement.
The question on our lips is why do we need to make so many changes to a winning squad?
We know that there is no room for sentiment in business, especially football, however if he did keep this squad together, surely it wouldn’t be for sentimental reasons and it would be for the simple fact that it is a successful squad, full of experience and more importantly full of winners – not winners from 6 years ago, but winners from 6 weeks ago.
We can expect arrivals this summer, and I fully agree that the likes of Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Edwin Van Der Saar and sooner or later, Ryan Giggs do need to be replaced.
We have already seen Phil Jones brought to the club and I am in full support of new additions – but I am sure many United fans wait and hope that we do not see too many departures as fundamentally, stats speak for themselves; Premier League Champions by 9 points, Champions League runners up.
Do you really understand why we didn’t win many away matches?
Its exactly the reason we are in the market.
Yes, so why not purchase four new players without offloading 8 current members of the squad?
of course we need changes! Next season will be more difficult than last… every team will be stronger!
Not sure if your trying to start a discussion or if your really serious about your dramatic headline…
But I’ll play along…
Yes MU needs wholesale changes.Yes MU won by 9 points, but only because chelsea and arsenal slipped up dramatically after being in good positions.
Would you want to risk the same thing happening again next season? fortunately SAF doesn’t and is looking to overhaul this team which is lacking in the midfield and striker positions.
I would be happy for carrick and his 3 yards side pass to go also. I think evra has had a bad season,maybe because theres no one to threaten his position.
If Chicarito gets injured, then what? Berbatov? who cant score in Champs league or against top opposition?
Valencia was injured,nani got GBH by a dog called carragher and lost confidence for the remainder of the season.
The midfield has no “magician” to unlock defences.
SAF is looking for defensive mid,creative mid,striker…
MU and Blackpool had the same away points. What does that tell you?
p.s Sorry that Wes is going,really liked him.Saw him at Chelsea ground take out midget jo cole,so funny,but at 31 he needs to play regular football.Hope O’shea don’t go, Im a huge fan of his. a real MU player.Plays anywhere,does a good shift,no complaints.Must be old age seeing my fav players moving on.
It’s pretty obvious why theres a squad clear out. Determination and squad morale may bring short term success but poor tempo and hard to watch performances, which we saw for the majority of the season, will eventually show in results. Berbatov scoring 5 goals against Blackburn and then doing nothing for months is not a reason to place faith in him. Nani’s flashs of brilliance and then erratic performances also make him unreliable. Hence the links for Sanchez and Ashley Young. Rio Ferdinand’s back problems is another issue thats forced his replacements.
Absolutely daft reasoning. We’ve been humiliated twice by Barcelona in the ECC finals and won maybe two away games last season. There is no one in midfield who can hold on to the ball. It’s not algebra, it’s football. The old man may be getting more sentimental in his dotage, but he certainly knows when there’s a problem.
So because we have been ‘humiliated’ by Barcelona – you think we need to clear out 8 members of our squad? Hmm ok.
A team has to evolve or stagnate. If we don’t make changes then how are we going to become Champions of Europe. Signings made as of today are good enough to continue our dominance of the Premiership but we need players who will take us that step further so we are not outplayed and outclassed by Barca and the like in the Champions League. Sneider and Sanchez are those type of players
Evolution not revolution – exactly. Bring in four new players, but dont sell 10 current members who are all seasoned pros and title winners.
champions league. precisely to beat barca
I think SAF has been rejuvenated by the challenge of conquering Europe and beating Barca. He’s accomplished overtaking l’pool domestically,but wants to dominate Europe as l’pool did.
It’s great targeting the likes of Sneijder, Sanchez and Nasri, BUT do they want to come to OT???
Nasri is obviously playing the MU card to get a better deal,what better way to wind up Wenger.Bit like what Rooney did last season.
Sanchez would obviously prefer to go to Barca, being the current dream team.
I think Sneijder wage demands would break the wage structure at MU. I wouldn’t be surprised if Rooney has a clause in his contract that he gets paid on par with the highiest earner at MU. So if Sneijder is after £170k/week,(after tax)
then there’s a problem.
I think alot people forget that the Barca midfield is in the top 20 highest paid footballers
Messi, 2nd highest paid footballer.
So will Glazers or the Dubai group whoever you want to believe is bankrolling this spending spree, pay not only for 2 top players,Sneijder and Sanchez but also the knock on effects of the MU wage bill?
Will SAF end up with Charlie Adam for £12m? can he really cut it consistently week in,week out and in Champs League?
Maybe it’s Hobson’s choice…..
There’s no argument on here at all — it’s pretty damned obvious that we need major strengthening —
So, next stupid question, please.
I am not questioning strengthening the sqaud, I am suggesting that we do not need to clear out those we do have – we just need additions.
Evolution not Revolution please…. Bring in four new players by all means – I am fully behind strengthening the squad, but why does this mean we need to sell eight or nine of the current title winning squad?
What is this obsession with Barcelona? They are an exceptional side, but is the answer to beating them really selling half of our squad?
Again I would like to make my point clear, I want us to bring in new players, but it does not mean so many need to see the exit door.