James Robson

November 19, 2009

SIR Alex Ferguson made one of his biggest mistakes when failing to sign Fernando Torres, according to Andrew Cole.

Former United star Cole reckons Fergie missed out on the best striker on the planet when the Spain international moved to Liverpool in a £26m deal from Atletico Madrid two years ago.

But Cole also believes that in Wayne Rooney United have a player close to challenging Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as one of the finest in the world.

Ferguson took a long look at Torres when trying to find the man to replace Ruud van Nistelrooy's goals in 2006.

But he opted not to firm up his interest with an offer and Torres eventually became a record signing for Liverpool, establishing himself as one of the deadliest finishers in Europe.

He has gone on to score 60 goals in little over two seasons at Anfield and since been linked with a mega-money move to Old Trafford.

Liverpool boss, Rafael Benitez, this week insisted he would quit the Kop before allowing his star man to leave for any price. And Cole believes his former manager will be kicking himself for missing out on a man who has terrorised United with two goals in his last two games against them.

"I know Manchester United watched him closely, but decided that given the likely fee he wouldn't be good enough to play at Old Trafford," said Cole.

Judged

"United scouts judged him receiving the ball in all different positions and watched his reactions. We all make mistakes and not signing Torres was one because I've spoke to several of the current United players about him and they all say the same thing: `Top, top player.'

"Torres stunned me when he arrived from Atletico Madrid because he settled so quickly. The Premier League is totally different to the Primera Liga, but you wouldn't know it watching Torres.

"He reminds me of that great Liverpool goal-scorer Ian Rush. He seems to drift in and out of games while always remaining a threat. At times, Torres can make out he's almost uninterested, and then tunes in, just like that, and he's away with the ball with fantastic pace.

"Torres's game isn't just about the box, but he's most dangerous there because his close control allows him to take possession in confined areas. He can transfer the ball from foot to foot to create space to get in a shot."

While Ronaldo replaced van Nistelrooy's goal output, the Portuguese international's departure last summer has left a massive hole in United's attack.

Neither Dimitar Berbatov nor Michael Owen have shown signs of filling that goal void, which has prompted Ferguson to look at host of options at home and abroad.

Valencia's David Villa is a long-term target, Edin Dzeko of Wolfsburg is another option, while Carlton Cole is also interesting the United manager.

It remains to be seen if Ferguson will move to strengthen his forward line during the January transfer window or at the end of the season - but he has already voiced his concerns over United's lack of firepower.

With only 23 goals in the Premier League this term, they trail Arsenal (36), Chelsea (29) and Liverpool (27) in the scoring stakes.

With eight goals in all competitions, Rooney, has been one of the few attacking highlights since the departures of Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, but even he has managed only one goal in his last seven appearances.

Still, Cole is convinced the England international is close to being considered among the very best in the world.

"Wayne Rooney is a great forward," he said. "He can play centre forward, right and left wing.

Faultless

"He would probably play in net and do well - he actually plays in net a lot during training at Carrington.

"Rooney's work ethic is faultless, he plays for the team and he's got everything. When United look at young new players, they search for seven or eight key attributes.

"They'll usually sign a player if they have six. When they first saw Rooney at Everton they privately admitted that he had everything.

"United fans call him `the white Pele.' He's not at Pele's level, but Rooney is thriving in Ronaldo's absence, has started the season really well and is nudging towards the level of Lionel Messi and Ronaldo.

"Rooney can change a game and he's Manchester United and England's most important player.''

Will Keane continued his excellent record in front of goal to spearhead a 3-1 victory for United over arch-rivals Liverpool on Saturday.

The in-form Stockport-born striker scored twice and had a hand in United’s other goal from Nicky Ajose, and he now takes his tally to an impressive seven in his last four games.

The Reds were suffering from a host of absentees as Scott Wootton was out through suspension, while Ravel Morrison, John Cofie, Reece Brown, Robbie Brady, Alberto Massacci and Michele Fornasier were all missing from the squad. Despite that, it didn’t seem to affect Paul McGuinness’ side as United took the lead after 16 minutes of a commanding display.

And the opening goal was the silky-skilled Keane at his finest. From Ajose’s left-wing cross, Keane’s first touch was delightfully delicate to bring the ball into his possession. Then, surrounded by Liverpool defenders, it was his calm head and neat footwork that engineered some space before curling his shot expertly into the far corner.

The Reds assumed control as the half wore on and Keane went close to a second with a header inside the six-yard box which was cleared off the line, while Davide Petrucci fired narrowly wide after good work on the edge of the area.

At the other end, Reds goalkeeper Conor Devlin saved brilliantly from Thomas Ince’s free-kick midway through the first half, and the same Liverpool player forced another fine low stop from Devlin just before the break.

Liverpool started the second half brightly with one or two attacking forays, but it was United who got the game’s next goal on 54 minutes. Good work from Paul Pogba in midfield and a nice turn and pass by Keane set Ajose on his way through the left channel. The livewire winger raced into the box and then lashed his left-footed shot into the top corner to make it 2-0.

Then in the 75th minute Keane made sure of all three points for the dominant visitors. He capitalised on some slack defending from the home side before ruthlessly firing the ball left-footed through a defender’s legs and into the bottom corner.

The only blot on United’s copybook came in the dying stages of the match when substitute Adam Pepper’s low free-kick made it’s way through a posse of bodies in the box, seemingly taking one or two deflections along the way, and beat Devlin, denying the Irishman and the Reds a deserved clean sheet.

Nevertheless, this was a good victory and an impressive display - particularly from Keane - and keeps up the pressure on Premier Academy League Group C leaders Blackburn Rovers. It's also good preparation with the FA Youth Cup third round tie against Birmingham City looming on Thursday 10 December.

United: Devlin; Tunnicliffe, Thorpe, McGinty, Fryers (Gill 49); Lingard, Pogba, Petrucci, Ajose; Cole, Keane. Subs not used: Stewart, Moffatt

Wes Brown has become so accustomed to overcoming injury that his fightbacks have become a part of life for the 30-year-old defender – he’s even the first port of call for many young professionals when an understanding ear is needed when faced with a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

It’s hard to ignore the irony that, with United now struggling for numbers at the back, Brown has his chance to re-establish himself in a back four he made himself an indispensable member of back in the double-winning 2007/08 campaign.

The following season was once again blighted by injuries - a phrase that has become frustratingly frequently associated with him down the years - and he lost his place. But Wes, his high-spirited demeanour off the pitch at odds with his on-field ruthlessness and subsequent terrace chant ‘come and have a go if you dare’, simply shrugs it off.

“It doesn’t bother me,” he says. “It sounds strange but I’ve had so many injuries that you get used to it. I’ve been injured on many occasions but I always come back and do my best to get back into the team. That’s what has happened this season and I’m happy carrying on with that throughout my career. It’s the only place and the only club that I’ve ever wanted to play for, so I’m happy doing it.

“What having the injury setbacks does do is to make you want to return even quicker each time. I had a great season in 2007/08, then got injured and it was really disappointing. But you just have to get back quickly and get on the pitch again. I don’t have any injury problems at the moment, so touch wood I’m all right!”

Sir Alex Ferguson also has an unwavering faith in Brown’s abilities, which he will turn to again on Wednesday night against Besiktas, pairing Wes with Nemanja Vidic in central defence.

“Wes has been very unfortunate that a lot of his career has been blighted by some bad injuries – two cruciate knee injuries, a bad ankle problem, and the injuries that kept him out for most of last season. But in 2007/08 he was our most consistent player and played in the Champions League final in Moscow.

“We know that when Wes is fit he is one of the best defenders in the country. We are delighted that he is back and know the experience he brings to the back four. I don’t have as many concerns as some managers might with four defenders missing right now. We’re concerned we have so many injured, but with Wes and Vida as my two centre-backs we can feel quite comfortable about it.”

Now with 10 appearances this term, and having started the last five matches in a row, Brown is approaching peak fitness and match sharpness. “The more games you play, the better you feel," says the Longsight-born defender. "The first couple of games, a lot of it is adrenalin. Then you have to keep your fitness up and keep working hard in training. The more games you play the better you become and I’m hoping that’s what’s happening at the moment with myself.”

Sir Alex Ferguson has reiterated his assertion that Ben Foster could take over as United's first-choice goalkeeper when Edwin van der Sar eventually retires.

The Reds boss backed the England stopper last week and has again voiced his belief that the 26-year-old can be the champions' long-term number one, despite him being third in the current pecking order behind van der Sar and Tomasz Kuszczak.

“Yes, I’ve said that all along," Ferguson said. "That hasn’t changed. He has terrific ability, the boy. As we know, he needs plenty of game experience. He’s not getting that at the moment, but Edwin is 39 now. So the future rests with Ben.

"And, of course, Tomasz is another good goalkeeper. At the end of the day the two of them will fight it out, I’m sure of that."

Van der Sar sat out the start of the season with a broken hand, but slotted back in to the first team seamlessly. The Dutchman is on a rolling one-year contract and usually decides his future in December, though Sir Alex is yet to hear from him.

"No, he’s not said anything," Ferguson confirmed. "Missing the start of the season is never easy for players of his age, but he’s come back from his injury well. It’s usually around Christmas time that he outlines his plans of how long he can go on. So we will wait on that.

"I don’t know his plans. When you get to that age, and he has a young family, it’s hard to know what his plans are. I don’t know if he plans to go back to Holland.

"But he is a very intelligent man and understands his body better than anyone, so he will give the right judgement, I’m sure."

Manchester United host Besiktas in their final home game of the UEFA Champions League group stage, already assured of their place in the next phase.

As expected, United have dominated proceedings in Group B and qualified for the knockout section with two games to spare.

Despite already being through Sir Alex Ferguson will want his side to maintain their proud record in the group stage - having not lost at Old Trafford for eight years.

Ferguson is likely to experiment with his side, and Besiktas will look to captiliase on this - although nothing more than a victory is needed from the Turks, if they want to maintain their presence in Europe into the New Year.

Ferguson is insistent that he will not let his charges take their foot of the gas.

"We could have a non-event game if we wanted to," he said. "But that is not the way we want it to be," he said.

"We want an exciting game and we will do our best to challenge the young players who do play."

Besiktas boss Mustafa Denzili is hopeful his side can give United another good game, as they did in their first meeting in Istanbul.

"We will go out with our own game plan, but our future is not just in our hands," he said.

"It all depends on how we do and what other teams do too. Our aim is to always go as far as possible in Europe. United's approach is that they want to win every game regardless of the position they're in.

"They may have already qualified but they'll want to win, because that's what United always strive to do."

Team news

As part of his tinkering, Ferguson has already confirmed that Irish youngster Darron Gibson will start in midfield.

The 22-year-old is on the fringes of the first team at the moment and Ferguson is obviously keen for him to progress.

Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans and John O'Shea are all sidelined - so Wes Brown should be expected to start alongside Nemanja Vidic in central defence.

The likes of Danny Welbeck, Federico Macheda and Gabriel Obertan will all be hoping to be involved from the start - but they all may have to make do with starting from the bench.

Besiktas are likely to go with Brazilian Bobo in attacked, whilst Rustu Recber could also be recalled in goal.

Ismail Koybasi and Nihat Kahveci are struggling with injury, but Filip Holoslo, Hakan Arkan and Mert Nobre are out along with the suspended Tomas Sivok.