After reaffirming he won’t be taking the opportunity to bring any additional squad members in during January’s transfer window, Sir Alex Ferguson appears to be the only person on the planet who doesn’t think Manchester United have an urgent need for reinforcements in order to challenge for any major honours this season.
You have to question his stance as only last week he confirmed that if a young Bryan Robson or Roy Keane were available then Manchester United would be the first in the queue. So why is he ruling a January transfer out despite admitting the need for a new central midfielder?
But is it only central midfield where United need a new face?
Many United fans and critics alike have regularly pointed an accusing finger in the direction of Patrice Evra this season and also last season; some as far back as January 2007 at The Emirates Stadium.
Trailing one nil with just seven minutes remaining, Arsenal targeted United’s weak spot to clutch a win in the third minute of injury time through a well placed Thierry Henry header. Both of Arsenal’s goals were the product of attacks down United’s left with Evra found woefully out of position for the second and lazy and non-committal for the for the first. Yes his cross produced United’s only goal of the game that day, but that is the exception and not the rule when Evra marauds forward. I’m not the only person who thinks his starting position should be under serious threat and needs replacing with someone who provides the correct balance between attack and defence.
Then there’s the Da Silva twins who can’t make it through 90 minutes, many suggest their time at Old Trafford is drawing to an end. Their stagnant progression and ever presence in physio must be seen as a major reason why our fullback positions either have no competition for places or no dedicated player each week. Couple that with injuries and suspensions to our centre backs and the ever disrupted back four has suffered immensely, culminating in the horrific display against Manchester City.
There’s regular speculation about Dimitar Berbatov’s status at the club. Despite finishing as the clubs top goalscorer last season, Berba has made just ONE appearance from the kickoff in the Premier League thus far and has domestically only managed to find the net once…..and that was in the Carling Cup victory away to Aldershot.
After the disappointing exit from the Carling Cup at the hands of Crystal Palace in the quarter-final, United’s youngsters, who have been so willingly lauded by ex-players, fans, the media and Sir Alex himself, failed to display their true potential. It was however somewhat of a surprise that so many of the youngsters were played together that night rather than nurtured in with a blend of youth and experience as was the case in previous rounds.
Forums, blogs and even reputable media sources (if there is such a thing!) maintain that players such as Darron Gibson, Jonny Evans, Mame Diouf, Kiko Macheda and even Fletcher, Valencia, Anderson and Park Ji-Sung are not United quality; never have been; and never will be.
Surely that can’t be the case, can it? The majority of those players are title winners, some multiple title winners and they’re all full internationals.
So where’s the problem, what’s the truth? I mean, they can’t all be replaced in January even if the boss wanted to.
With just 24 days to go before the transfer circus rolls back into town, United are five points better off at this stage of the season than they were last year. At this stage last season the Reds hadn’t even won a game away from Old Trafford, this season they’re unbeaten on their travels having won five out of seven matches.
So what’s with all the panic? Thousands and thousands of people screaming for new players to be brought in to the squad can’t all be wrong despite the great start to the season. So who is it that’s really to blame, or is there nothing to be blamed for and everyone’s worrying for nothing? Who’s right, who’s lying, where’s the truth, what’s about to happen?
Who knows. But that doesn’t stop you having your say in this poll:
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