Evaluating Manchester United’s Striker Situation
A quick roundup of the news surrounding Manchester United in the last couple of days.
Needless to say it’s been quiet since that day and despite the rumours linking United to strikers and player sales (including the ridiculous Smith and Rossi rumours), Manchester United are not as much in the spotlight as Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle.
It’s quiet on the transfer front (relatively) and we like it that way.
Here’s what’s been happening in the last couple of days:
A discussion on how we should take a break from football news turns into how Manchester United will accommodate Rossi and Anderson - make sure you read the comments for this post.
5 reasons why Tevez needs United - yes, it’s blinkered and biased but what did you expect?
There’s talk of sending Dong away on loan to Sunderland to give him Prem experience and also how he might be United’s answer to our (slight) aerial threat problems up front. Much as I love Keano and Manchester United I can’t see Sunderland turning into the training grounds for Manchester United’s reserves.
Apart from these articles from redrants.com, I also wanted to touch upon a few rumours surrounding Manchester United.
One, we’re not a selling club and as such Rossi will not go unless there’s a big problem - i.e. Fergie thinks he’s not good enough to play for United right now. David Jones left because United were bringing in Hargreaves and Fletcher was being given a run. If Smith stays then Rossi will get fewer chances and he might leave for his career. On the other hand Smith wants to play football as well, so he’ll be evaluating his chances.
My view is that Smith will leave and and Rossi will stay, and if Boro are offering 6M we should bite their hands off before they rethink. Or we could send Smith to Man City.
Two, what’s this nonsense about United needing a striker? I’m sorry but last time I checked we have Rooney, Saha, Smith, Rossi, Ole and Dong on the books. Plus we have Ronaldo, Nani and Anderson.
Assuming that Smith leaves and Ole is crocked, we have 4 strikers and in Anderson we have a player fully capable of taking up striking duties.
Like last season, I don’t think United should move for a player unless the ‘right’ player becomes available.
who’s the perfect player for United? Klose’s off to Bayern and Ibrahimovic is stuck in Italy, so my bets are with Anelka, Berbatov, Huntelaar and Tevez. Berbatov isn’t moving this summer, Huntelaar is an unknown quantity (and could impede Rossi’s growth) and Tevez, while he could come to United in a deal similar to Mascherano’s, will hinder Rossi’s growth as well (unless Saha is thrown out too).
If Saha goes, Anelka should come in - age, experience and quality. If United are going to offload Saha AND Smith, then it’s Tevez for me (or Berbatov, but getting Berbatov will be difficult). Rossi has the quality to at least get a full season at United, so he shouldnt be sold.
In any case, we’ll get on this next week.
Related Items from Soccerlens
- Manchester United update: Chelsea match report and player evaluation
- Rossi’s future at Manchester United
- Will The FA Ban Rooney And Scholes?
- Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney handed 2 match suspension
- Manchester United 2006/2007 Season Review
Sell Saha, Smith and Fletcher and buy Torres.
I noticed you mentioned Ibrahimovic. Why would Man Utd want to sign him? Anyone can look good on Youtube, he has gone downhill since his Ajax days and seems to be a moody little shit as well.
Smith isnt prolific enough and you are right for £6m we should bite anyone’s hand off who is offering. Dong, Rossi and Anderson (who is actually more of a Scholes type player rather than a real striker) are completely untested in the Premiership so there is no way we should rely on them when Rooney is resting & Saha invariably injured.
Nani is without doubt a winger, and that is exactly where we get the best out of Ronaldo also and however much I love Ole, it looks like his knees (or is it just the same knee over and over again) seem to be giving up on him. He is good enough for 10 goals a season from the Subs bench if we can keep him fit.
My vote is to keep Ole (his service to the club is unquestionable) and give him as many games as his health allowes, sell Smith and Saha to the highest bidders and get Eider and keep Rossi. Loan Dong out to Derby or someone (he may become good but I dont think he is ready for the EPL spotllight myself.
This may end up resulting in the whole club scoring goals (nothing wrong with that) even if the two R’s arent Golden Boot winners.
Why Gudjohnsen, just why? He’s just like Rooney except he’s slower and scores less, he’s as much of a striker as anderson is, and as you said he’s more like scholes.
1. Bervatov has not proven anything yet. If he has another season like this one, then I will take that back. But today, He is not worth that much Money.
2. WE DO NEED A STRIKER - Torres is going to Liverpool, Tevez to Inter…unfortunately. These were my best choices. But the reality is, that if a Player doesnt want to join United, then we are better of without them.
3. I do agree with you…Sell Saha and Richardson…and Heinze only if necessary. Loan Rossi and Dong. Huntelaar is Class.
4. The truth is there aren’t that many decent strikers available in the market. They all cost TOO MUCH money. The only accessible striker that actualy wants to join United is ANELKA. He is amazing, and even though he’ll would probably leave after one season, he will score plenty of goals for us. We’ll worry about strikers next season after we win the Champions League.
LISTEN TO ME, MY CHILDREN. GOD HAS SPOKEN.
Two, what’s this nonsense about United needing a striker?
I thought ’someone’ wrote about why Tevez needs United. Don’t tell me that you said United needs a striker. You do want Tevez to come to United, don’t you?
Anyway, I’m just fooling around!
uhh..y are v evn talkin abt tevez nd berbatov..wen they havnt evn spoken of join or evn metiond UNitED
y dont v go for sum1 lik ADRiano whos proven in europe nd i belive is best suitd for the priemership…also as INter in buyin tevez..dats makes it arnd 5 stikers at inTer..so then adriano will cum cheap nd a really quality…far bettr than berbatov nd huntelaar nd tevez nd all oda shitty strikers
In my opinion we (united) do need another striker. Because..
1. Saha will not be fully fit for the majority of the season
2. Rossi, I dont think is Premiership material just yet. Maybe a good sub though.
3. Same reason for Dong Fangzou but not even on the bench.
4. Smith.. Well.. I agree with Bilal.. HOPEFULLY he will get his first team football elsewhere cos it sure wont be at Old Trafford.
5. Ole Legend.. Love him but he’s not getting any younger.
6. Nani will likely be used on the wings.
7. Anderson.. Not sure where exactly he’ll play but I cant imagine him getting 15+ goals this season. Would be a good backup though should Rooney get injured or need a rest.
Rooney and Berbatov would be my ideal partnership, but again agreeing with Bilal, it would be difficult or infact impossible getting him this season.
Also Anelka I cant see fitting in. Would be a good goal scorer with the amount of chances we create but it doesnt seem right seeing him in a United shirt. Would love him to score the winner at the Damn Emirates though!!
oh how i wish this transfer crap would stop. i’m really tired of it and at the same time thankful that we have most if not all of our deals behind us this year. i’d just like to see fergie or someone else come out and say we’re not buying anyone else this summer and that we’re giving a chance to some of our youngsters (rossi and campbell to name a few). it really pisses me off when nothing-players like trezeguet and somesuch trot out bullshit like we were interested in them and they rejected us.
aah, i think i’m gonna go mad this summer, such articles discussing possible buys really don’t help either, especially as there are shitloads of them and every single one tells the same things over and over again, so so tiresome…
There is one screamingly obvious answer. Man utd have to buy klaas jan huntelaar. over the last two seasons, he’s Scored 54 league goals in 63 league games. 14 goals in 18 cup games, 13 goals in 17 european games. 18 goals in 22 U-21 internationals, including four at the european championships, and two in the final. He banged in two great goals against Ireland. on his debut. we were rubbish, but he was so sharp, setting up the other two goals and running rings around us.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIIGScglFCE
Here’s a compilation of some of his goals for Ajax. he leads the line brilliantly. He has amazing movement in the six yard box, is a superb finisher, and is excellent in the air. He’s the new ruud van nistelrooy.
I agree entirely with the above post - it basically states what I have been thinking too. We finished as CHAMPIONS and leading scorers.
We just sold RVN who is one of the best finishers, but does the way SAF play really merit having an out and out striker in there? It means if we do have another RVN type, we have to tailor our game to get crosses etc in. Our game is more about running and opening up spaces for other players.
Has any one other than me thought that Ronaldo would be even more devastating than Henry as a forward? He’s quicker by a mile, more skillful, and just needs to work on his finishing(Though he still scored 23!)
Maybe, just maybe, we were putting the cat amongst the pigeons by saying we ‘might’ strengthen the forward line? If we can get a forward who will give us something extra, all well and good, but I am more than excited by seeing what we can do with the current squad and would not be too concerned if we didn’t sign anyone else until next summer.
If the scousers want to spend 27mill on Torres then let them. Benitez has no idea how he will win the league with Liverpool as proven by him signing close to 60 players in two years and then saying they have to rebuild once in the Euro final - what chairman could argue with him then? I never heard him saying rebuild, rebuild prior to arriving in Athens. Chelski still have Shevchenko, and Drogba must go off the boil soon, so it won’t be a drama to us if we stay as are until the right player comes up.
PS - Would be great if people could type their posts in English as opposed to some random text message speak…
[GOD wears RED]
Nothing personal but… PUT A SOCK IN IT!
If Berba hasn’t proved anything after 1 great season how can you claim that Huntlaar is class, he has 0 seasons in the premiership!
Torres is going to Liverpool, Tevez to Inter - Yea sure and i’m Queen Elizabeth… Pull the tribalfootball monkey out of your ….!
WE DON’T NEED A STRIKER, AND WE DEFINITELY DON’T NEED THE LIKES ON LE SULK!
AND YOU ARE NOT GOD! CANTONA IS GOD!
Berba will be the ideal one,
Other wise
Huntelaar
for god sake somebody tell sir alex to buy ANELKA he will be great in our style of playing and also cheap
Rossi needs to be given a chance in a rotation of two or three forwards not counting Rooney, who plays every day. I think Smith should stay as he is versatile. He was off for quite a long time and I think it was asking a lot to expect him to regain his scoring touch so soon. Rossi must be given a chance because he proved he could cut it in the defensive minded Serie A. His pace and skill is a nice compliment to that of Rooney. Tevez or Berbatov are ideal fits for this team but neither of them will come. I love Huntelaar but his style suited the Beckham and Keane era United teams that crossed the ball. Like van Nistelrooy, he needs proper service, and is not that creative on his own.
First thing is that whatever it takes, get rid of Saha. He’s talented but asleep at the wheel. He has no passion and his finishing really doesn’t blow me away. Anelka is an attitude case. The last thing we need. One name that is never mentioned is that of Roy Makaay. Although he can drift in and out of games, he is a lethal finisher and may be cheaper than we think now that Klose and Toni are in Munich. Also, does Ronaldo enjoy sitting on the bench at Milan? United should be bold, but stay away from the overrated Torres and Villa. Last thing these guys want is to learn English. They are committed to the tradition and stupidity known as La Liga, where titles can be bought every week in the betting houses.
Can Soccerlens not make a moral stance and not publish replies like 7 - Roadblock. I have no problem with what he said! Well I say that but I’m not a 100% certain because It gave me a headache trying to read it! Text speach will be the death of the written language!Turn the predictive text on your phones people and get used to spelling words properly again! You could be the cleverest Guy in the world Roadblock but you come across as a cretin! Then again he could be Dyslexic?
Finally a response that uses intelligence and facts….well dont Grognard.
apologies - well DONE Grognard….didnt get to it in time !
mehn manutd shuld get all the strikers they need ….smith and rossi should stick their asses in manutd……
Rossi could be a very good player. His major problem is that while he is potentially one of the best small skilful second strikers in europe, he’s at the same club as wayne rooney.
I firmly believe that he should be given a run of games, and he can becomre cover for rooney and a replacement for solksjaer, but there are onl a limited set of things he can do.
but assuming that smith is leaving, and saha is basically finished, man utd don’t have a forward who is any good in the the air, or can play with his back to goal, which is something you need to have. particularly against better teams, last season saha did this quite well for the firs half of the season, and Larsson did a great job until march. but you could see that we were really missing a proper front man against milan, with rooney pushed too far up the pitch competing for high balls.
Last season man utd killed a lot of teams on the counter attack, but sometimes struggled against teams that wouldn’t come out to play against them, and for those teams you need to have a top class centre forward to add to the attacking players you already have.
So united need to sign a mobile striker, who is a good goalscorer, sharp around the box, good at linking play and holding up the ball. They need someone who is good at heading the ball, and gets you the cheap goals so you don’t have to kill yourself in every game.
They should kill to sign huntelaar.
Feel many are writing off Saha too soon … He will definitely be out there on the pitch prooving his detractors wrong ..
Selling Smith would seem to be the obvious move and I’m guessing the deal will be stuck in the next couple of days … As for bringing in a striker, how come no one has mentioned Saviolla
- he’s definitely skillful, scored around 100 odd goals in 250 club games - commendable when taking into account that at Barca he was often on the bench with Eto, Ronaldinhio and Messi in the spotlight -
- good enuf to get 15-20 goals a season.. had a run of 8 goals in 6 games for Barca at the start of the year while Eto was injured
- at the end of his contract with Barca (and with Henry going there I wouldn’t see Saviola wanting to stick around any more), Hence cheap ..
- hungry for medals/awards - has 1 olympics gold medal and a UEFA Cup with Sevilla … shouldn’t be enough for someone like him
i hope we will have torres instead…
Ibrahimovic is a class act. There is no big man that can play in so many positions and still be so deadly. He can lead the line, play behind the main striker, go out left, and play out left and he still looks at home. He is without doubt the hardest man to man-mark just because of his size and playing ability.
Besides, nice article, there is no need for new strikers and if Saha, Ole and Smith turn up on the sidelines again, there is two good strikers in Rossi and Dong. Dong, is strong and pose an aerial threat, but it is his composure that strikes me the most. He might not be the Samuel Eto’o or Henry of these world, but he is still pretty quick, and he will probably do good for us if given the chance.
Anderson and Rossi are not the only concern when there is a little problem of fitting Pique and Evans into the roster, when there are Ferdinand, VIdic and Brown all ahead of them. And how about a midfield containing hargreaves, carrick and Scholes; and possibly even Anderson and Fletcher, if you consider to include them here. Our bench is growing in depth and compared to last season, we will have ample cover throughout the team.
hehehehe……..torres rules!
I think our strikers are fine.
If SAF still want to go for another forward, my bet would be on Ronaldo No.9
Ok folks lets give this some thought
Eidur G: Good striker but in the same mould as rooney without the pace. Similar first touch as Teddy Sheringham and good awareness. We have this in Wayne Rooney. What is the point in buying 2 players of similar qualities? Gudjohenson cannot play on the flanks or as an out-and-out striker, only as a support striker which is Blatantly Rooney’s role. Berbatov too….I have the same problem with him. He has had one great season at Spurs but can he repeat the feat? More to the point, how did he fair in the big games…against Man u, Arsenal and Chelski?
We need someone who will replace Saha because his rate of injury is overbearing. We needed him at that dreadful night in the San Siro. I am certain the score would’ve been different. We need someone who is proven and good value for money.
Torres would be ideal but there is are unknown interesting facts about him….1 that stands out: The last 2 seasons at Athletico his has been guilty of giving the ball away more than any other player in the team! For 25 mill what are we really getting? He could be moulded, I’m certain of that….But for 25 Mill plus? I do ponder about him at Man U.
Anelka is proven quality but he is unsettled and always will be. Do we need to take on someone who may change the karma of the team? Is this what we want? We got rid of RVN for the same reason and despite the failings in the champs league it paid off in the prem. This year we actually scored more goals
Eto’o is not leaving Barca for any other club….would only consider Arsenal. End of. Man U would be a far cry.
Huntelaar…..All this talk of a player who I think is no better that Dirk Kuyt. Sorry, but that’s the opinion I have. I have watched the dutch league many times and I am not flattered by his ability. He needs a couple more years
Ronaldo. Overweight, end of his career, whoever whistled that song needs to sit down and stop watching the Videos
Rossi and Dong need to be loaned out to get that Valuable prem experience and I would choose Sunderland as the learning curve. Keano will instill confidence in both of them….Actually it would be good to send K Richardson there to get his head sorted out. That boy will throw away his career if he doesn’t sort his life out!
Tevez, Villa, Trezeguet…The list goes on.
Has anyone thought about Jermaine Defoe? This boy is still young and proven in the prem. He is athletic and decisive. We could get him for 8-10 mill and I am certain he would slot into the team…..The younger version of Andy Cole. Defoe would be good for the team and would be an ideal replacement for Saha.
That is my pick. unless something happens with Torres.
This is all BULLSHIT you people are jus not thinking. Look at the god damn facts .
Saha is recovering from a major Knee operation EQUALS not sharp at the start of the season his best time last season EQUALS a generally shit player, AND Ole is 35 not a 90minutes palyer anymore EQUALS 8-10 goals this season max before retierment.
So THEN you say Rossi, yes Rossi lets play him. How About NO!!!!! Rossi is a talent, not quite yet a world class player he should be thrown into the fight straight away he is not someone that is gunna provide 20 goals +.
Smith is not world class player, good player not capable of sustained goals at european and premiership level.
But no worries we still have Rooney and Ronaldo. Yes an explosive goal scoring pair. But you all suddenly assume their going to a season like last. Discrediting the fact teams will pay great attention to them (doubling up) or that the could be a dip in form or injury EQUALS no goals.
(not going to mention Nani and anderson simply becasue they jus TO YOUNG TO SCORE THAT MANY GOALS)
I think that is justifaction for a goal scorer. But one who is not a swedish arrogant twat, a past it frenchmen or the ‘Iceman’ (oooooooo That Iceman who never scored more than 12 goal a season)
It’s a question of T’s. Tevez or Torres
Finally just think about this, we dont get Torres, Liverpool do.
i would actually like to see ibrahimovich at united because if anyone can straighten out a temporamental dude its sir alex. ibrahimovich might not have too much pace but he’s got a hell of a lot of technical ability…if fergie manges to just handle that extra baggage (which mind you anelka too will be carrying)…..the swede could be the improved version of larsson….and rooney would relish playing off…him..the guy is really good he was infact awarded best serie a player a couple of years back…i dont get why people say he is a load of crap..
Has Torres spoken to the media yet.I thought english clubs would start hustling for spanish players soon after the end of the spanish season but its actually the other way round,Spanish clubs are getting players out of england.Except for henry’s move their has been no major news in a week.Football offseason sucks.Has anyone got news on any liverpool signings it seem pretty quit on liverpool’s front,i wonder what Benitez is waiting on?
we will need another stricker thats 4 sure but i dont think if we dont manage to sign one we’ll b afffected so much for we cover in rossi, runi,saha, and the forwards. i wd like ahmed to open discussion on the system fergie may employ next season .wats yo point of view?
Ibrahimovic is amazing his touch, skill & ball control is unbelievable. Also in the serie A this season he made some amazing passes for his lead striker. I think Ibra is all we need. He’s the final piedce of jigsaw & manu is set for dominance at home as well as europe.
why always mentioning torres who i guess similar to d bent and no interest in joining MU. Each time he talk he never mention about his interest to join MU? Same thing happens to Tevez who prefer to go to Inter and still we disscuss about signing him. Can we buy a player who interest in joining us. The only striker I believe interest to joining MU is Saviola. He mentioned that he would love to play with us. I believe Utd also interest in signing him… Skillful, quick, good dribbler with pace and good finishing he has (and also he’s free) I believe he will be a perfect comination for rooney upfront
ibra the best!
WE CAN ALL ARGUE AND SPECUALTE BUT IT COMES DOWN TO A MAN CALLED SIR ALEX FERGUSON, i’d trust the man with my life, he knows what he’s doing so Im not gonna speculate, Im gonna see what he pulls out the hat next, i have every faith in him!!!!!! Sir Alex knows what he’s doing, he’s just not telling everyone!
Nobody has even mentioned afonso alves he scored 35 odd goals last season and he is still only 25. He is a real goalscorer. I would want either huntelaar or saviola
How many Premiership goals did united score last season? 83. Crisis over.
All we need is TEVEZ TEVEZ TEVEZ… He is the only striker who has both the charisma to be a manu player and at 22 still has a long future ahead of him but is yet experienced, a leader, FAST, Dribbling, a great finisher, and aggressively committed to every team he plays for!
now everyone knows fergi admires the player and wants to get him, but then agian same as last season his contract difficulties and the technial legalities on the matter have stalled the situation… so at this point i can only speculate that one of owen, anelka, or saviola might join us as they are cheap and accomplished but only if we could get TEVEZ………. The most complete Man U team in History!
i think we missed out on klose
tevez, tevez ,tevez
for me he is undoubtably the best option to go for. He is quick, skillfull, likes to link play and can score 20+ goals. Everyone keeps saying we need a prolific goalscoring machine but we dont , what we need is someone who can link play with ronaldo, rooney and the new introduction anderson (who i belive is going to be an absolute class act).Another thing about tevez is his passion for the game which we saw at west ham , he is a dogfighter and that is the exact quality that we want to see at united. So bring on tevez!
another thing is id like to hear what people think we are going to set up like next season?
i mean if we do get a striker (tevez) how are we going to get all these class acts in the team .
rooney, ronaldo, anderson ,nani,hargreaves,scholes,carrick and hopefully tevez.
how can we get them all into the same team? for me hargreaves is a definate starter, the qualities he brings are something we have definatly missed since the departure of the one and only keano! so hes in the team and next to him we need one of our 2 best passers in the country scholes and carrick. but which one? scholes is an absolute god and has been to most consistent player in the premeirship for years , but carrick has got to be given a chance as i belive he is going to grow into the nest scholes. so thats one dilemma and heres another , where the hell will anderson come into things. i read someone say he will be a good replacement for rooney, are you joking anderson is without doubt absolute world class and has got to command a first team spot (without doubt0 so id like to know what everyone thinks, and their ideas of how our team will set up next season.
(TO JADE)
JADE, my son…you dissapoint me.
The Torres transfer is done, and you dared to insult me by contradicting my predictions. Therefore, you must now pay by going to Hell to watch only Chelsea games with the likes of Judas, Hitler and probably Paris Hilton. Also, your wish of becoming Queen Elisabeth will be granted.