Some players aren’t good enough for Manchester United
At the start of the season I picked 5 players who I thought were surplus to requirements at Manchester United. Let’s look back at the list and see how much things have changed.
The original list:
- Darren Fletcher
- Mikael Silvestre
- Liam Miller
- Patrice Evra
- Tim Howard
Two of these players – Liam Miller and Tim Howard – have since been sold on. Miller in the final days of the summer transfer season last year and Howard’s sale to Everton (where he’s on loan) was finalised in February this season.
What about the rest?
Darren Fletcher
After a whole season of watching Darren Fletcher I’d be one of the first to admit that Fletch has matured and is now a better player than last year this time. He’s also very young (something that people forget), so you can expect him to improve in the next two years.
However, I don’t see Fletcher becoming first-choice, ever, at Manchester United. He’s also our fourth-choice midfielder – behind Hargreaves, Carrick and Scholes. In addition, if Giggs is used centrally then Fletch drops to 5th.
I don’t think Fletch should be sold just because he’s not good enough to be a backup – and effectively he was picked ahead of David Jones, so there must be something that Ferguson sees in him.
However, if Fletcher wants to play consistent first-team football, he might have to move on (Sunderland anyone?). If not, he’s a fair 4th / 5th choice midfielder, although I’d like to see him hold on to the ball a bit better and improve his passing, AND turn into a raging, tackling bulldog. Then it might even be fun to watch him come off the bench and kick Alonso all over the park. Or Fabregas. Or Lampard.
Verdict: Should leave for his career, but has earned the right to stay another season and improve his game.
Mikael Silvestre
I don’t hate Silvestre like some United fans seem to do, but I don’t see how he can be picked ahead of Pique / Evans next season. He’s not even considered in discussions regarding the left-back post anymore, although in my view Ferguson still values Silvestre’s experience.
Silvestre has had irregular spells in the side for the last couple of seasons and as a result he hasn’t had a chance to prove his doubters wrong. He needs consistent football, and he would be a benefit to any Premiership squad outside the top four.
Verdict: Good enough to stay, but his presence could block the paths of Pique and Evans. Should be sold.
Patrice Evra
A significant portion of Manchester United fans (and football pundits) are in love with Evra. I respect that, and I understand it.
I also strongly disagree with their assessment.
However, Evra offers us a good alternative in the left back position and since United haven’t moved for Gareth Bale, I think Evra should be kept on board and used as an attacking left-back, with Heinze the first-choice for tougher opposition where better defending is required.
Verdict: Should be kept
Other Players who Should Go
Who else do you think should leave? A lot of people have picked out Heinze and Saha (along with Richardson) as their picks to leave this season but I think that both Heinze and Saha are safe. Richardson, Smith and Silvestre are the three players whose positions in the squad are most under threat.
Richardson: A lot was expected of him this season but he didn’t perform – if Ferguson wants to give him another chance he should send him out on loan for an year to a Prem side where he can be a regular starter and get his game together.
However, with Nani, Ronaldo, Anderson and Park in the side, maybe Richardson should move on.
Heinze: Already made a case for him to stay here.
Saha: Already made a case for him to stay here.
Smith: Do we have space for him in the squad? There are big question marks over his ability to perform at the levels expected of him at Manchester United – I’d cash in on him now if he’s unwilling to go out on loan.
Who else do you think could / should leave?
This article is Part 3 of our 7-part Manchester United 2006/2007 season review coverage at Soccerlens.
Topics: Manchester United



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[...] Some players aren’t good enough for Manchester United [...]
June 4th, 2007 @ 16:24I strongly disagree with your opinions regarding Evra and Smith.
Evra, this season, has proven that he is by no means a failure, and I was one of the people slating him as another bad signing by Fergie last year. How he proved us wrong. Defensively, I still think he has a lot to learn, but going forward and attacking the wing he’s proven his worth and his pace is as good as Neville on the right hand side. Even if he has questionable judgement at the back from time to time, I think he’s learning (he was a striker after all) the trade still, but is easily my first choice for left back. Heinze has been lacklustre since the world cup and a player of his calibre can’t use the old “I’ve been out injured” excuse. He should have been sent of twice and given away about four penalties in the last two months of the season, but got away with it. If the ref had seen fit to award those penalties, would we still be in love with the Argentine? I doubt it.
As for Smithie, he deserves to stay for no other reason than his dogged resilience in coming back from that horrific injury. He was used sparingly when he came back to fitness and proved in the few chances he had at the end that he can be a very effective replacement in the last 20 minutes. He didn’t have a lot of luck in front of goal, but when he was given the ball in a scoring position, he made it tell. The goal against Roma was a cracking team goal, but well finished from a guy who’d been out of the game for nigh on 12 months.
In my mind, Richardson, Heinze and Saha are out this year. Heinze will go to Spain, Saha back to France (or another Premiership outfit) and Richardson will go to either Sunderland or Sheffield United.
June 4th, 2007 @ 16:34dude ahmed dont you get it Gaby wants to leave he’s already said its either gonna be barca or Real..so lets just leave it at that…
June 4th, 2007 @ 16:40Smith should stay. Think if both Saha and Ole get injured again. Then we definetly need smudge. he is maybe better than any other backup player we have. You cant compare him to Rooney, Berbatov, Torres….. he maybe isnt as deadly as them, but he bring something special to the squad. And all the time I only hear: Smith is not that quick, Smith is not thatdeadly as Drogba, He cant score 25-30 goals a season… But think of his streangth, his aggresion, his heading and passing + Unego he has.
June 4th, 2007 @ 16:411. Giggs will never play in proper CM for us next season. Perish the thought. At most he will be used in Rooney role behind the main striker. But mainly on the left. We have 4 CM.s now. Hagreaves, Schoels, Carrick and Fletcher. Fletcher proved what he can do partnered by Carrick against Roma. (7-1)
He is here to stay. And he is definitely United quality. It’s high time you admitted hit. He is at the best place for his career since Scholes will be gone soon.
2. Evra is here to stay. You need attacking left backs like him. He and Heinze are the perfect combo to have. Horses for courses mate.
3. Unless Richardson is turned into a left back. (TBH he defends better than Evra for me) He has no future at United.
June 4th, 2007 @ 16:44Sad but true.
Sidharth – what source are you quoting? The made-up quotes that appeared in Spanish newspapers last week?
Read this article first.
June 4th, 2007 @ 16:47Been waiting for this post for 10 days now. hope u dont so much time for d next post ahmed
June 4th, 2007 @ 16:51Smith is simply too old to go out on loan…he’d never agree to that. He should either be kept as a decent back-up or sold. I’m torn on this issue, because I really like his character. On the other hand he could bring in a tidy sum with his return to the national team and all.
As it seems, we’re not after a striker in this window, and because of that we should probably keep him another year. Next summer we’ll have to go for a striker, and then we could sell him to get some cash back…or part of a swap deal, although I don’t see us getting a striker from England, and I doubt Smith wants to go abroad. We’d probably get £7-8 mil for him, which could ease the purchase of Torres (did I really mention him) or Eto’o next summer.
Richardson should be sold – no question about it. Silvestre should go as well, and he’d bring in a good sum (£4-5 mil) on merrits alone. Sell Eagles (£2-3 mil), who has no future at OT either with the new signings. That’s how we buy 3 major prospects and get rid of 3, who aren’t even close to the team, for £40 mil.
June 4th, 2007 @ 16:53Gabriel Heinze should stay, if he goes then our left back position will be exposed. We(Manchester United) have the best Right back (Gary Neville) and Left Back (Gabby) in the world. No one would love to leave the best player in ur team.
June 4th, 2007 @ 16:53Richardson and silvestre should be sold then buy a good striker
June 4th, 2007 @ 17:19We should get shot of Saha while we can still get a decent amount for him and replace him with somebody who can be relied upon, I have never thought he is all that great anyway.
Fletcher will NEVER be good enough but agree that he should be given one more season to prove himself otherwise out the door.
Get shot of Silvestre who is an accident waiting to happen, Richardson who has an attitude problem and Ole, legend that he is, seems spent so time to move him into a coaching role.
June 4th, 2007 @ 17:24why do we forget solskjear and giggs?to me the worst players considering they get too much playing time,underperform and we have to attack young guns who have room 4 imrovement?
June 4th, 2007 @ 17:33Gabby was easily the best left back during his first season and this season he hasnt had a real run of games to get back his full rhythem. I still think however he doesnt look quite as good as a few years ago, but I would still like him to stay another season (and sign a contract extention)
If he wants to go however, then I wouldnt want to keep someone who is unhappy.
Richardson – We should easily bite someone’s hand off who offer £3-4m or more. Never thought he was worthy of replacing Giggsy.
I am someone who thinks Silvestre is well past his best, Between the options we have for CB and LB I think he is unnecessary (and would think that between Pique and Evans we have enough cover anyway)
I would also prefer Saha to go than Smith – LS just doesnt seem to have the charachter to want to play when he is most needed and that is unforgivable. Im not denying he is a better player but sometimes this isnt as important as spirit
June 4th, 2007 @ 18:01Mike – what are you on? Giggs was excellent last season, many suggested he was a candidate for player of the year!! Ole should be kept as he is now an institution at the club, a great ambassador, with lots of experience to pass on. And he can still finish. Too much playing time? How much did Ole get last year? Not much at all!!
June 4th, 2007 @ 18:09Heinze is far too slow, he was terrible in the latter half of the season and at fault for at least 3 of Milan’s goals over 2 legs. Up until his first injury Evra was playing very well. When he got injured we missed the overlapping options, especailly with no Gary Neville on the right. Richardson, Silvestre and Heinze should all go. Pique will be fine as cover. Wouldn’t loose too much sleep if either Brown or O’Shea left. Saha showed his colours in the latter half of the season by not being available – He has talent, but has to prove he has heart.
Ole looked old and slow last season, he is no more than a 15 minute man now (Much as I hate to say it). Smith has done OK, but will he get 15 goals?
June 4th, 2007 @ 18:43Oh, come on now, leave Smith alone. He is seriously underrated, especially by his own fans. The man suffered a horrible injury(there was a keeper once who retired after a similar injury). Not only did Smith return, he was great in his what, 5-6 games he managed to play last season. It’s not that he had too much time to prove himself, and hopefully he’ll get it next term. So, get of his case, and besides, sir Alex has always held him in high regard. And please, cut it out with the age thing, Pippo Inzaghi is the same age as Giggsy and 2Olegend and that didn’t stop him from winning the CL for the wops.
June 4th, 2007 @ 18:44mann your worng! as a manchster united fan i saw many plays that year!
June 4th, 2007 @ 22:40fletcher got stronger from game to game and hes scotish (like fergi) and his like his hope to the scotish football in united
saha hadnt had some game to prove his abilitytis but i think hes not good enought
about selvestrie maybe moved on
What about OShea? He is by far the worst player in MU, not to mention in the Premiership…
June 4th, 2007 @ 23:07uhh..ahmed why dont you check the official manchester united web site- (in the papers) section…i am massive heinze fan and i love his energy and defensive qualities…but heinze does not want to stay at united because he wants first team football…(uninterupted not sporadic)…..plus if a side like real madrid or barcelona are offering that then i think he will be taking it….
June 4th, 2007 @ 23:16Evra is worthy to be at Man U. Very talented. Why the hell get Bale?
BTW, I heart Spurs.
June 4th, 2007 @ 23:5010 Tips
1) Giggs has been a main reason for our amazing season
gabby is not the worlds best left back
June 5th, 2007 @ 00:182) Fletcher has proven his worth and is useful in europe
3) O’shea is a brilliant utility player and dont forget the goals hes scored. (and hes funny)
4) The Youngsters wont settle till next season. Remember Ronaldo took him a while to get to where he is now.
5) Smith wont be leaving anytme soon. SAF loves his determination as he once said he “trains like a beast”. SAF sees himself in smith and likes that
6) Richardson and Heinze or silvestre will leave
7) Eagles will be used as a back up player in the smaller games.
9) Saha is a brilliant player…when he wants to be. Problems are his attitude and his “push me and im out for the season” problem.
10)Solsjkaer will never leave. He was the only united player to put money into united before the take over. His life revolves around it. he will retire before he moves, the same applies for Giggs except he did not put money into the club.
Tom – I agree with many of your tips, but 2.
Number 4 – I assume you mean Nani and Anderson when writing “youngsters”. Ronaldo was 17, when he joined…these guys are 19 and 20, so it won’t take them as long time to settle. I think that 3 or 4 months into the season we’ll start to see, what we’ve bought, which is pure class. They may not be as consistant in the coming season, as we’d like them to be, but there’s room for that…as long as they will be the season after that, when they need to step up as first choices on their positions.
Number 9 – there’s so much talk about Saha’s lack of heart…couldn’t he just be plain injured?? The thing is – it’s all media speculation that SAF should be tired of Saha not playing due to a weak mind, and that has transformed into the fans not believing in him either. Saha has always had injury problems, and he always will have them. He was absolutely brilliant in the first half of the season and scored some spectacular and very important goals.
June 5th, 2007 @ 01:34Whoever wrote this article is an uneducated bastard and cretin…that’s all I want to say.
Regards.
June 5th, 2007 @ 02:45Great topic!
My assessment of the players in question.
Richardson, I think we can all agree that aside from blistering pace and a sweet left foot (occasionally), he brings very little to a game. Greedy beyond belief, no vision, cant tackle etc., etc., etc. GOT TO GO.
June 5th, 2007 @ 03:06Sylvestre, has been a good solid player over the years but his recent tendancy to completely lose track of the game around him is too risky. Great going forward sometimes, but mostly a liability. GOT TO GO.
Heinze, has been a star for us. I love his style of no nonsense defending, rock solid most of the time. Had a patchy end of season after another injury but its completely unfair to blame him for the Milan result. He plays his heart out. Ive read the quotes on ManUtd.com and they are taken from a bigger interview, so you dont know what the context is, im sure he could be saying that IF he leaves he doesn’t know yet whether it will be Madrid or Barca. He has also openly stated how happy he is in Manchester and that he has played the best fotty of his career here, so its best not to read too much into snippets of interviews. KEEP HIM. is say.
Giggs, Totally off his game for me since early new year. Maybe fatigue, but whatever the reason, below par at the end. No question of him leaving though, will share his role with Nani more this year. PHASE HIM OUT
Smith, He can stay, excellent work ethic and totally committed to the cause. A great example to the youngsters on what it takes to make it at United, despite his lack of first team action. Still a role for him in the team too. KEEP HIM.
Fletcher, Im not sure if he has done enough. Has got loads of energy, no doubt. Other than that? Not much apart from lack of pace, no awareness, can’t tackle or retain posession and his passing is best described as poor. Fergie must see something in him. GOT TO GO
Ole is not gonna go, he’ll move into coaching soon at OT. Not sure how much we’ll see Anderson this year, i kinda thought we’d see more Nani, but i could be wrong there.
Thats the lot, long winded i know, but if any of you can be arsed to read it, let me know what you think.
ok ahmed here is a url showing these actual quotes…
here…not assumptions..
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=319671
so i’m sorry to say but unfortunately Old Trafford will no longer be able to witness the entertaining yet combative argentine
June 5th, 2007 @ 03:29Sidharth
1) Goal.com is the same site that printed false reports about Nani signing a new contract at Sporting.
2) They are quoting ‘The Sun’ – do I really need to say anything about that?
bottom line – there has been a lot of bull flying around regarding Heinze. Yes, he hasn’t been given his due chances this season.
But apart from the article I suggested you read, another good reason for Heinze not leaving would be the lack of backups available at United, and United not moving for Bale.
Let’s wait and see, but I doubt Heinze will leave.
June 5th, 2007 @ 05:26United should do everything in their power to keep Heinze. He is one of the best left backs going, which shows why Barca and Real want him and what if Evra gets injured? I for one don’t think that Silvestre would be great cover. Don’t sell O’Shea either. He can be a decent player on occasion and i think he is a good right or left back, remember the year he broke into the team at left back I thought he was pretty good.
United should sign Saviola on a free and get rid of Saha. Richardson, Silvestre and Saha out – Saviola in would be a nice piece of business
June 5th, 2007 @ 09:04I guess we just have to agree to disagree, Ahmed.
June 5th, 2007 @ 13:14Regarding Gabriel Heinze; could you please tell me why you think he is the best man for United at left back?
to add to the heinze saga.his defence mistake cost us the second goal against milan at the san siro, with all his rough tackling i dont think he is first X1 material,but with no other credible left back he hould sit at the bench for atleast next season then SAF shuld kick his butt to the curb
June 5th, 2007 @ 15:00Silvestre – He should definitely NOT stay at united but I am nearly 80% sure tht he will because Ferguson sees him as a loyal back-up player, but when he comes into the team he probably has a 40% chance of giving away a penalty with the amount he has given away in the amount of games he has played(i think hes given away three penalties)
June 5th, 2007 @ 15:00Heinze – He’s still a very good player and I think we should keep him, but if he’s not first choice and real madrid or barca are looking at him im sure it would be hard to say no, as he would be their first choice left back, almost definitely.
O’Shea – Well he’s nothing spectacular but in times of many injuries/suspensions we will need him to fill in in many positions. And he’s gauranteed to give you a few important goals a season(Aresnal 2 years ago, liverpool this year, and others)
Evra – He is a great left back and is definitely good enough to be our left back – as is heinze – so he shouldn’ be sold.
Richardson – Ok he has a good shot from range, but he’s a terrible finisher, not a particulary good tackler, has no skills at all (even giggs can do more) and we have better players in any position he plays (CM,LB and LM)
Saha- He is good enough and a great player whemn he’s playing, but having an injury prone striker is frustrating and if he continues to have injury problems or be sitting on the bench then his value will drop, sell him now (for 7m?
)
Smith – I definitely like him, and he plays well if we play him as our top striker in a 4-3-2-1 but he just won’t play enought games and he deserves to be playing first team football, at a team like bolton maybe?
I would also like to say i’m very excited about seeing anderson and nani but anderson said that his favourite position is left back =S in an interview on manutd.com he said something like:
‘I can play in many positions, behind the striker, on the left of the midfield, but my favourite position is an attacking left back, the position that roberto carlos plays for brazil, and i have played their before for my team.’
that was basically it.
I think our thinking has to be around age and marketability of players and not just who is good enough. Afterall, opinions change. Heinze was player of the season recently and is now being tipped to leave. Flether was hated and is now considered a good squad player. Fergie will look at lowering the age of the team and ensuring the team spirit is kept high. For that reason, I think the people with question-marks over their futures are Saha (29), Silvestre (30) and Heinze (29. Saha is top draw and is a better player than Smith BUT there are issues with the player and we will get good money for him. Silvestre may be retained as cover for the left side. Afterall, against the home tie against Lille this season he started ahead of Heinze. Heinze wants a move to spain and I think he and Fergie knows he struggles against pace. Again we will get good money for him. Most of the reserves will be released or sold too.
June 5th, 2007 @ 15:01ok ahmed true that we dont have back ups…but dont you think that fergie could buy with the money he gets from the imminent heinze sale a good promising left back like leighton baines…
June 5th, 2007 @ 15:04only if Manu will buy one reliable or even maybe 2 forwards, then Saha and Alan Smith can go…but for now, forwards are short in hand..,if we continue selling, are we going to die??!
June 5th, 2007 @ 15:51Darren Fletcher is here to continue
Mikael Silvestre can go now
Well i strongly disagree with your view concerning Evra. This fella has been top class last season and played a strong part in the title run-in. Yeah he needs to get tougher and improve his tackling but remember he’s still only 23/24. so he’s bound to get better next season. Now that Man U have a good holding midfielder like Hargreaves an adventurous full back will NOT be surplus to requirements.
Moreover Heinz is pushing 29 and he is considerably slower and more injury prone now. he’s not the same player as he was before his injury. Its sad but i think it may be a good idea to cash on him now before he gets even slower.
As for Fletcher, I’d love to see him stay one more year but i guess for his own good he will have to consider moving on sooner or later. i agree that he needs to become more devilish and aggressive. This guy is talented though and i’m sure that, if given time to develop, he can become a very good and effective midfielder. Just he wont get many chances with United now.
Smith has to stay no question!!!
Giggs is not even disscussable (if such a word exists!!). he’s an untouchable legend and now that we have new players he will be able to get as much rest as he needs between games. Same applies to Scholes and Solksjaer. and if Pique or Lee are as good as we hear then Neville will also get some rest from time to time. You know money can buy everything bar experience, wisdom and commitment!!
The definite outs should be Richardson and Silvestre.
June 5th, 2007 @ 16:27Richardson, Smith, Heinze, Silvestre, Saha should go and I hope we bring in another class forward. I think that should do it for next season.
Last year I wolud have voted for O’shea and Fletcher as well but I think they are good backup/squad players.
Reasons?
Richardson: Simply not good enough for Man Utd.
Smith: Hard worker but he’s not top Prem. quality
Silvestre: You have your time. Too many mistakes. But deserves first team football elsehwere.
Saha: Injury prone to hell. Sorry mate but we can’t rely on you. So,so ability.
Heinze: Seems like he wants to go and I haven’t been impressed with him this season. Too clumsy in the tackle.
Let’s give Evans an opportunity. I hear he has the potential to be very good.
June 5th, 2007 @ 16:55we will suffer a lot if we dont get another left back and we sold gabi ihope that dosent happen
June 6th, 2007 @ 15:40but unfourunatly it looks like its going to happen
ANELKA he is the perfect addition to our squad and also he is cheap
hugo,we look at old players for experience.after xmas,giggs was invisibledid u watch us against milan,arsenal,liverpool,etc?yet he was kept on the pitch.as 4 ole,if he stays,rossi goes.period.he is simply blocking youngstars
June 6th, 2007 @ 15:52anelka, our cantona!
June 6th, 2007 @ 18:47Alan Smith is class… underrated??? very much so… he plays well up front with rooney and can slow the ball to allow runners to get forward (games with def touches to rooney, etc). i look forward to seeing G Rossi as well.. i luv d lil maestro…..
Now.. heinze was a nice player for me but since his injury he is a bit nervy / “out of sorts” and it could be a problem. I wouldn’t sell him tho he was a very good leftback b4 injury/world cup…
flethcer is a fairly nice lad , don’t mind him staying…
richardson, i expected alot of him when he broke thru to d england team and scored 2 goals… but since then he’s just going downhill… he lacks that composure in tight situations…
silvestre should go… definitely.. long time overdue and better now with evans and my boy pique coming back from zargoza..
evra is class… short guy has skills.. pace… and is a fairly good if not great LB. No Sale here..
Saha is class upfront.. i mean dis guy has pace and touches… but if we can get another striker like him i will sell him… if not.. give him another chance.. boy did man utd miss him in the ending part of the season..
Oshea is another guy taht i feel ots time left man utd…. he’s a bit overrated or just everyone likes him cause he’s so poor and sometimes does goood things… lol (really sorry but thats my feeling)…..
1 other thing that worries me is Sir Alex… when we face big important opponents.. he makes man utd play in weaker formations…. to me we are best at 4-4-2… always 2 strikers… when rooney plays up alone we suffer badly… and if the team is strong we get beaten… plz no more Chelsea / AC Milan freight nights….
my boys made me very proud this year.. and i’m glad we have nani and anderson.
looking forward to letting Inter Milan feel d 1st bite from our new improved squad..
June 6th, 2007 @ 22:39Now that Gill has basically said out loud what we’ve been discussing (that United will sell a few players), who do you think will really be sold?
Smith is one bet. The other’s Richardson. I imagine they will try to keep Heinze – otherwise why make him captain in the final few games, even though EVDS, Rooney and Ole have sometimes worn the armband as well.
Saha? Doubt it, even if a new striker is brought in.
June 8th, 2007 @ 21:16right peeps this is what i think
Richardson? can hit the ball sweetly with that left foot but i dont think he is good enough
Heinze? will he accept being a squad player? i dont think he will
Saha? give him one more season. im sure he will be rejuvenated for next season
Solskjaer? i dont think he is the same player by a long stretch. get him on to the coaching set up
Fletcher? just another hargreaves in my opinion.
Smith? love his work ethic, determination etc but £7m is too good to turn down especially now we need the money for a new striker
O’shea? other then a major injury crisis cant see how he would break into the team next season
Dong? never seen him play. loan him out
Silvestre? he always looks the weak link in any united side. i think as with o’shea next season maybe his last
Bardsley? im sure there are better alternatives. sell him now as he has had a good season with villa
June 13th, 2007 @ 22:49