Talking Transfers: Taking a look at Manchester United’s summer wish list
Another season was won or lost, depending on which club you support, but there’s one thing in common for all football fans, come June. ‘It’s the time to transfer!’
Every tabloid has its own set of exclusive speculations, and if all of them were to be true, none of us would remain fans in a few years. But even though the absence of matches makes this an almost drought-like period of the year, transfer talk is a lot of fun too.
In a transfer window series here, I’d like to give my opinions on who should be out and who should be in, for all the top clubs. Let’s get started with the champions of England — Manchester United.
Though a comprehensive defeat versus Barcelona maybe considered a blip by many a United fan, I personally think it was a wake-up call for arguably the best club on the planet.
True, the last time Liverpool won the Premiership, I was in my nappies. And Chelsea are a shock defeat away from a 2 year barren run. However, I expect both those clubs to build their squads next season and improve on their performances. Arsenal, with Arshavin and a bunch of exceptionally talented youngsters all a year older, cannot be discounted too. If they let their Adebayor striker go, they will make a few useful additions as well.
So basically, United will also need to improve to hold on to their domestic crown and, as fans would bellow, stop Barcelona in Europe.
As a squad, I believe United have the most complete and dependable bunch of players in the world. Every position has at least two players who can do a job in the Premier League.
However, to be the force that their fans (and manager, undoubtedly) want Manchester United to be, I believe the time is right for a few strong decisions. A disclaimer before you proceed further down- this is all my opinion, and open to ridicule and disagreement. And commendation, if I might add.
The gaffer may not think Carlos Tevez is worth as much money as MSI believe him to be worth. But if Cristiano Ronaldo is on his way out, as I strongly suspect, then allowing Tevez to leave will mean two of ‘The Holy Trinity’ of the 2007-08 season will be out of United. Hardly the sort of continuity you would hope for in a champion outfit.
However, since he has been critical of his club’s distinguished manager on a couple of occasions alteast, I would let him go. Not every Argentine international will agree to be their club’s 3rd choice striker, and that is understandable. Instead of coming out with a temporary solution, I would rather solve the problem more permanently. In Wellbeck and Macheda, we have good 4th and 5th strikers. And since Rooney and Berbatov are the gaffer’s first choice strike pair, I’ll go for another youngster who is not much above 20 years old.
Also from Argentina, Sergio Aguero is a highly promising striker. His potential, along with Man United’s history of developing youngsters into finished products, makes me believe he is the man to fill Tevez’s boots. Since he didn’t have a great end to the season, I believe 20 million pounds will be more than enough for bringing him where his heart his (or atleast I got that impression from reading a few of his interviews).
If United manage to get around 70 million pounds for Ronaldo, the Aguero purchase means 50 pounds is still at the manager’s disposal. With this money, I’d bring in Ribery and Valencia, letting one of Park and Nani leave. There are strong arguments against both sales, but I believe Tosic has got good promise too, so one will have to go to generate money as well as to avoid unnecessary wide men in the squad.
Mamadou Sakho may not be a household name, but there are strong reasons to believe United havemore than just an eye out for him. Though Evans had a decent first season, he is not yet Rio Ferdinand or Nemanja Vidic yet. And with no other backup for that position, the prodigious 19 year old PSG captain should be a good buy, especially considering his versatility as a defender. Around 10 million pounds should be enough, though the figure may just stretch a little considering the other clubs interested in him.
Owen Hargreves, totally absent from the Red devils’ 2008-09 campaign, will be like a new acquisition for Sir Alex. His tough tackling and excellent workrate should make him a critical player in Champions league football, and his versatility and quality should boost United further, come next season.
Ultimately, this new squad looks somewhat like this:
Rooney and Berbatov up front centrally, with Aguero just missing out. Wellbeck and Macheda should keep all 3 (including Berbatov) on their heels.
Ribery and Valencia are both good wingers, one more established than the other. Along with Nani (or Park) and Tosic, they form a neat set of wide men. The first two should put up fine ‘performances’ and will do a good job if they can keep Wayne Rooney interested in the centre.
Owen Hargreaves comes back to a burgeoning United central midfield squad of Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Fletcher and Anderson. Excepting for a couple of them, all will be a year older and wiser.
Mamadou Sakho is inducted into a United defence with almost all areas covered, atleast on paper. Though essentially a long term investment, Paris St Germaine’s youngest ever captain at 17 years should make some immediate impact as well.
Under Sir Alex Fergusson, this squad has all the signs of a meaner, hungrier and slightly better rounded unit. Though Ronaldo and Tevez will be missed, playing Rooney in the centre should be a plus.
Also, Ribery and Valencia will certainly not be expected to be this team’s weak links. If they settle in reasonably quickly, Chelsea and Liverpool (need I mention Arsenal) fans better be ready for another season of non-stop jibing from the intolerable bunch of Manchester United fans (of which I am proudly a part of!).
what was that, another hidden liverpool fan, quaking in the shadow of united winning 5 trophies in 2 seasons. this squad IS all conquering, and despite being clearly outclassed by barca, you name a stronger side in England, without creating debate!!!!!! you cant!!! if barca were so good how can anyone catch them, never mind the teams second and third to united for the last 3 seasons domesticly. Man u were poor by all standards in Rome, due to many factors, most of all big players not coming to the front to be counted. I still maintain that who ever got the first goal would win the final as both teas are unbeatable in europe after going ahead. Why is it that everyone is so quick to jump at united needing a wake up call??? united have hit a wall, united can go no further, united are finished!!!!! no they are not, they lost 1 match, they have lost 2 games in europe in 3 seasons, any better record than that?????? no there is not, noone can catch them in england, and anyone believing united are finished is a fool!!!!! they are a young squad who will continue to improve, bringing through great talent, and buying the top ups every team needs. I defy anyone who can tell me that united are now finished, they only won 3 trophies this season!!!!! this all comes from a hull city fan who was utterly stunned to see that we were well beaten on the last day of the season by a bunch of 18 year olds!! Ok they are second this season in europe, but rather second, with 3 league titles in a row and last seasons champions league trophy behind us than nothing at all, like chelsea or complainerpool!!!!! but never mind scousers next season eh?????? waste some more money eh????
good points made, anish…but i feel if aguero comes in, he’l be 2nd choice alongwith wayne, instead of berbatov….he’ll be a great acquisition, but after the tevez-saga, i doubt that he’ll come to man utd….also, i feel it’s better for ronaldo to leave – make no mistake – he’s a great player – but i don’t think he’s giving his all – his heart’s not in it – blaming sir alex’s tactics after the champion’s league finals, inspite of the fact that he’s one of the best(if not the best) managers the world has seen, doesn’t go down too well….
Some interesting players mentioned above, and one that addresses the burning question of what to do about Tevez and Ronaldo – and I agree, Ronaldo has been playing a solo game for the cameras for months now, keeping him will lead only to diminishing returns and a growing negative impact on the team; and Tevez, well, he’s skillful, industrious, full of heart, but nothing like worth the money demanded for him – so drop him and spend the money more wisely elsewhere. Good to see the magic word Benzema omitted too – I just don’t see what all the fuss is about.
However, the midfield is still light. Giggs and Scholes are legends, but they’re also both in their mid-thirties, and are no longer good enough for the big games. Painful as it may be, they need to be replaced (as does Anderson – not good enough I’m afraid). With Hargreaves’ injury record a huge worry, that leaves Carrick, Fletcher, Nani, Gibson, Park – this is way too lightweight to beat the big teams, and this is where Barcelona dominated the final.
I think that Ronaldo will be on at least another season. This is because I believe Real Madrid will pursue Kaka because he is exactly the type of player that they need. I do not think they can justify spending 100 plus million on 2 players, and that is what it would take to get both Kaka and Ronaldo. I also feel that Ribery is the winger that Real Madrid are really in for what with Zidane being a new addition the front office there. I think Kaka and Ribery will both make their way to Real Madrid this year meaning Cristiano will stay put. With that said there are a few additions needed. I think they will should re-sell Berbatov and pursue Benzema. He could be the second coming of Cantona (in class, not personality). Valencia will come on as the eventual replacement for Ronaldo whenever he leaves. The rest of the squad needs only a few young midfielders and the defense maybe requiring another solid backup. People forget that Wes Brown was out much of the season and he can capably fill in at any spot on the backline. Man U are arguably the best and deepest Squad in the world and do not think wholesale changes are necessary. On a side not, I agree that Anderson is not good enough for this squad and should be sold. He is overhyped and overrated and is not qualified for this team.
Anderson is over hyped and overrated? I don’t know what Anderson you’ve been watching but the one at United has done well in the past two seasons at the club, don’t forget that he is only 21! he’s got a lot of improving to do! Uniteds back line doesn’t really need any signings, Wes Brown can cover very well at Centre back and De Laet is gonna be a better version of O Shea so nothing new needed there.
I don’t know why people are assuming Ronaldo will go. I don’t think he will (although it might not be a bad thing).
Ferguson will not do much business in my view. Some of your valuations are too low I think. Aguero is a fully established striker, not someone who will come in and happily play 3rd choice. He’s better than Bretabov anyway. He’s also on the radar of a number of clubs and you won’t get him for 20m.
Ribery has already been priced at 70m by Bayern. OK, you’d get him cheaper than that but 40m would be a more likely amount. I think he wants to go to Spain and I don’t think Fergie is interested.
The defence is fine. Evans IS good enough to cover Rio/Vidic and Brown is back also.
I have some concern over what you call the burgeoning midfield. The best thing that could happen is for Giggs and Scholes to retire gracefully. Utd have too many options here and the constant chopping and changing upsets continuity and team understanding.
I thing Anderson IS good enough but (for crying out loud!) play him in his best position….attacking midfield. He’s been given limited chances and then asked to play a different role so no wonder he hasn’t settled.
Hargreaves, Carrick and Fletcher are all good players but I still feeel Utd need a GREAT player in midfield. In big matches against the top teams, games are invariably won and lost in midfield and Utd have been found lacking against their main rivals this season. I don’t know who Fergie should buy but for this team to be great addressing the midfield is the priority for me.
Let Tevez go and play Rooney in his best position (No 10, off a main striker). That striker is NOT Berbatov in my book but, on the basis we know Fergie won’t sell Berbatov, relegate him to No 3 striker and bring in Benzema!
@Gervillian: 54 goals in the last two seasons and his goal per game ratio is the same as Ronaldo’s. That’s what all the fuss is about. He’s only 21, is strong and aggressive and likes to mix it with defenders while scoring lots.
Remind you of anyone? Torres? Benzema has the perfect style to be a foil for Rooney. I don’t think Fergie will do much business this summer but the one buy I want is Benzema.
hmmm… a lot of positive thoughts and scenarios for next year. It’s good to be a united fan. No matter what happens this summer United is in good hands.
sir alex should buy benzema as their striker with rooney..berbatov is not very good and can`t be a good striker as you all know and see..how can he will be a good striker like van nistelrooy??he just can be a backup striker with theri true pass and so on..forget berbatov and buy benzema..ribery is also good and hard working player..i dont think valencia is a good boy like ronaldo..zoran tosic is a very good player with their set piece..man united should back to thier formation 4-4-2.
great thoughts there but wazza has proved he’s better played wide…so maybe agoero and berba up front, valencia on the right,wazza on the left,let ribery to madrid…..
dan: wazza on de left??? man… ur out your mind…u gotta let the man play his position if u want to utilize his full talents…
oder than that… id say bring benzema, let go of tevez… bring valencia, let go of nani, and give anderson at least another yr to develop in his natural position… if he still doesn’t improve… sell him.. n get a great midfield man… wonder if iniesta would leave barca for united… that would be wicked….
Sorry but I think there isn’t one right wish
in your wish list
Our aim is benzema keeping Tevez letting Ronaldo
Hargreaves is not dependable we need a midfielder
and a c.def.
Sir alex should let go of the LAZY Berbatov and Tevez and buy Benzema.Rooney and Benzema upfront would be the best partnership on the planet.on the bench man u will have the prodical Macheda.Park and Ronaldo should also be sold around 60 million pounds and buy Ribery and Valencia.ma fellow united fans imagine this van der sar Brown Rio Vidic Evra Valencia Hagreaves Carrick Ribery Benzema Rooney SUBSTITUTES Foster Evans Nani Anderson Fletcher Macheda oshea……….FANTASTIC SQUAD
foster
rafael ferd vidic evera
tosic hargi anderson ribery
rooney benzema
sub
fabio
macheda
possebon
welbec
nani
petrucci
lijic