Source from Goal.com English Angle: No More Summer Signings For Manchester United - Has Sir Alex Ferguson Made A Huge Mistake?Goal.com's Alan Dawson examines Sir Alex Ferguson's recruits and asks whether we can call the Scotsman's bluff as to whether or not he will further bolster his squad...
14 Jul 2009 14:26:21
The mark of Sir Alex Ferguson's astute management, a virtually holiday-less task, is his constant bolstering of his squad every summer, regardless of the amount of silver-boodle amassed by the season's death.
Following the 1999 treble winning campaign, Peter Schmeichel - a Premier League legend, a safe-mitted glovesman and a seemingly irreplaceable commodity, left for Sporting CP - but Ferguson was swift to recruit solid shot-stopper Mark Bosnich who, at the time, had fast developed into one of the most dependable goalkeepers in the division. Squad bolstering continued with the acquisitions of fringe goalkeeper Massimo Taibi, French defender Mikael Silvestre, and South African flanker Quinton Fortune.
Likewise, after the 2008 Champions League success, which accompanied a Premier League crown, Ferguson elected to pursue creative forward Dimitar Berbatov, promising winger Zoran Tosic, and reserve defender Richie de Laet, while the only notable outgoing player was French striker Louis Saha.
It is not often that Manchester United's transfer policy is met with a swift cleat to the jaw simultaneously administered during a heavy douse of kidney-punching. An unpalatable, unwanted, and old fashioned double-whammy. You may be strong enough to stay standing, but it will buckle your knees and leave you gasping for breath, while you desperately try to regain your composure before competition re-starts next month.
That is precisely what Ferguson and United would have been reeling from when it became apparent that both Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez would be leaving during the same transfer window. Two key forwards. Two vital commodities. One a tireless trojan trudging around every blade of grass, while the other required no second invitation to unleash a cannon-ball toward goal and nudge his total career tally one striker higher. Both players were responsible for 102 goals in the past two seasons alone.
New Recruits | Brothers in arms
Ferguson, as determined as he is to not let his squad decline in talent, has brought in one experienced striker in Michael Owen, one enthusiastic winger in the guise of Antonio Valencia, and a fledgling French forward; Gabriel Obertan, and has conceded that his summer spending is over. But can this really fill the void left by the exodus of two of the club's hottest, most dynamic, and most aesthetically-pleasing footballers?
Michael Owen, as criticised as the decision to recruit the seemingly super-crocked once-was has been in recent days, could turn into a master-stroke. He cost the club no transfer fee, and his wages have been drastically cut from the six-figure weekly sum he happily pocketed while occupying physio rooms at St James' Park.
Compared to Carlos Tevez, Owen was the more productive player last season. He scored thrice more than his Argentinean counterpart, despite playing one game less. He scored, on average, once every 237 minutes, while Tevez bulged a net once every 372 minutes. The Englishman has the accuracy advantage over Manchester City's latest recruit, too, by some distance at 61 per cent compared to 46. Where Tevez is said to have the advantage, is the amount of dribbles he completes; three times as many as Owen, and his supply from the wide areas - his crosses are also three-fold.
But, that is crucially where Owen differs seeing as he is a box-player. Kevin Keegan, as maligned as his tactical decisions are, actually pulled a rabbit out of his hat when he placed Owen into a deeper position during the closing stages of the season before last. Michael was as productive in the hole, showing Sir Alex that versatility can be an asset should Wayne Rooney maintain the central role he has excelled in under Fabio Capello's tutelage on the international stage.
Well-Made | Can Dan be the man and step up?
That is, of course, the main issue. The goals. It is no secret that Ferguson is as greedy as a spoilt schoolkid snuckin' on sausage rolls when it comes to his strikers. Throughout his first Champions League winning campaign he could call upon Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham, and super-sub Ole Gunnar Solksjaer. While his second continental competition collectors boasted Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez, and Berbatov in the ranks.
Where now? Rooney and Berbatov have obviously remained, but can not solely provide the sheer amount of strikes that Ronaldo could. So Owen has been supplemented. Where is the elusive fourth man, though? If Ferguson is true to his word, and we are to let any potential bluff slide, then one of Federico Macheda or Danny Welbeck will no doubt be asked to make the step up to regular first-team duty. Or, ideally, perhaps the blossoming and still raw pair will share responsibility.
Are either natural No. 9's?
Welbeck is a versatile player who can occupy the right flank as comfortably as he can lead the line. Ferguson has compared him to former Gunners hero Nwankwo Kanu in the past due to his height, skill on the ball, and his strength on and off of it. Welbeck's style has also been cited as 'languid', but last season he proved to be a team-player and put in his share of defensive work as well as contributing significantly to the action in the final third.
The greatest goal-threat, though, could arguably come from Macheda. The Italian proved to play a vital part during the title run-in as he popped up in two games to seal crucial points. He is a well-balanced, strong, and intelligent teenager who knows how to strike a football and where it needs to be placed. Macheda has been the youth side's top goalscorer and the outcry from Lazio when the Old Trafford outfit came calling, while upsetting from a Serie A perspective, can only be a good sign for what Red Devil fans can have in store. We may even be introduced to young Davide Petrucci, who has been likened to Roma icon Francesco Totti.
Next season could prove to be one where Ferguson's fledglings, like the emergent school from the 1990's, step-up in place of the established order. |
發表於 2009-7-15 04:53 AM
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