It is clearly known the midfield problems United have been facing especially to be seen last season when they were completely outplayed by Athletic Bilbao . Manchester United were over run by their cross – town rivals in Manchester City over the two league matches all because United don’t really have a proper box-to-box midfielder or what they call an “Imposing” midfielder. Someone they had in Roy Keane. Not exactly the creative artist, but he would give his life on the pitch, oppositions feared him. He would get that ball back even if that meant going into a dangerous tackle. He single-handedly inspired United to beat Juventus and get into the famous ’99 Champions League final.
Fergie worried about midfield
United lack that now. He was never really replaced. Everyone talks about Giggs and Scholes being replaced but along with them, a midfielder is needed who can really get into the opposition’s faces. The closest you get with the midfield United have is Darren Fletcher but for now it’s not sure when does he get back. Carrick is a brilliant player, but not one to “break” the plays or even the legs as in Roy Keane’s case. The Monday night fixture against Everton was a perfect example, even though one can be led to believe that the new signings and players will take time to gel but yet, in the previous few seasons United have shown vulnerability in midfield.
Felliani showed exactly what United are lacking even though United was playing with Carrick in the centre of defense , but it can’t hide the fact that United were dominated by just one man – Felliani . Maybe instead of going for Robin Van Persie, Sir Alex Ferguson might’ve tried to get someone like Felliani or him itself for the midfield job. City have Yaya Toure, Chelsea have Mikel / Lampard who are decent while Arsenal had Song . Sir Alex Ferguson claims that he never had a defensive midfielder during his reign, well even if Roy Keane was no defensive midfielder but he was a marshal that held the midfield together, a box-to-box and the perfect captain. Time and again Yaya Toure does it for City. Hate him or love him but Segio Busquets is amazing as a CDM/CM for Barcelona. One can even say that the entire burden of this position falls on Michael Carrick who can shine for United if someone else comes to share the burden.
United have shown great movement in the transfer market this summer , but well the recent names linked are Kaka and Mexico U-23 midfielder Hector Herrera who is a young unproven talent. Not much can be said what he’ll develop to be and United don’t really need Kaka. His addition would definitely be welcomed, but United don’t really need him. The deal looks dead now due to the wage demands , yet UNITED NEED A MIDFIELD STRENGTHENING MIDFIELDER or just Carrick to suddenly become the man Sir Alex Ferguson and the fans want him to be.
Maybe United are moving towards a more fluent style of play, and eventually Carrick would come good. In any case, one can just wait to see what is on Sir Alex Ferguson’s mind. We get to taste that this weekend itself, when United face Fulham at Old Trafford. Fulham scored 5 last weekend while United succumbed to Everton. This will be a good match even though Clint Dempsey might not feature due to his ongoing war against Fulham for a transfer to Liverpool. No doubt United will look to make a point, after watching both City and Chelsea beat their opponents in style . Well, City got through in the end. Some United fans must be looking and Hazard and thinking why not him? Well, he is at Chelsea and United fans would just hope Kagawa and Persie fire United past Fulham and the “tired” Rooney and Nani too come good.
