really hope to see hargo plays soon!!!it's been a long time!!

Who is hargreaves?? 

From Bryan Robson, to Paul Ince to Roy Keane, Sir Alex Ferguson has long been reliant on a midfield general.

But the United manager – who spent so long fruitlessly searching for a successor to Keane following the Irishman’s acrimonious departure in 2005 – believes Old Trafford has finally learned to live without the traditional enforcer that has typified his teams down the years.

That was never more evident than last Sunday when Paul Scholes effortlessly controlled the centre of the park against a combative Liverpool midfield of Steven Gerrard, Raul Meireles and Christian Poulson.

While Robson et al would have rolled their sleeves up and prepared for a good old-fashioned dust-up, Scholes oozed class with every deft flick and rapier-like pass.

That, combined with Darren Fletcher’s tireless energy, Ferguson believes has helped United evolve into a team that can cope without the raw aggression of its midfield leaders of the past.

“Bryan Robson was an unbelievable player,” said Ferguson. “Unfortunately, when I came to the club he was 31. I wish I’d had him when he was 21.

“Roy Keane was a different kind of leader. He led by example whereas Robson managed the team on the pitch.

“But you cannot beat Scholes as a footballer. He is an unbelievable player and will always be considered one of the best of all time here.

Impossible

“We don’t lack leadership in our general game. Paul Scholes runs the midfield every game. Liverpool tried to man mark him last week – impossible.

“We don’t lack leadership in terms of the philosophy of our game.”

Fletcher is the closest Ferguson has come to a marauding midfielder since parting ways with Keane.

After watching Eric Djemba-Djemba fail to establish himself at Old Trafford, while Owen Hargreaves’ injuries have prevented him from becoming the lynchpin United had hoped upon his move from Bayern Munich in 2007, Fletcher’s development has been a godsend.

Even if he is not a carbon copy of Robson or Keane, he has emerged as one of United’s most important players over the past two seasons and was a serious consideration when Ferguson came to choosing his next captain during the summer.

The armband was eventually handed to Nemanja Vidic, but Ferguson did so in the knowledge that Scotland captain  Fletcher would lead with or without the title of skipper.

“The subject of picking a captain was straightforward,” he said. “In the last two or three years Gary Neville has been the club captain, but as we know, he has had injuries so there is an inconsistency as to when he is in your team. For that reason we had to look elsewhere.

“We need a captain who will play every week. Because we have so many options in midfield, from time to time we change it around.

Qualities

“Paul Scholes doesn’t want to be captain. Darren Fletcher has leadership qualities, but we change the midfield a lot.

“With Nemanja Vidic, he just signed a new contract in the summer and will play all the time. If he is fit, he plays.”

While Ferguson would justifiably point to the trophies United have since Keane’s exit as evidence that life goes on without the Irishman, hardcore supporters would still claim Old Trafford isn’t the same without a swashbuckling general.

Ferguson, though, throws up a number of alternatives when it comes to the greatest player in his time at the club.

“Robson was an incredible presence in the dressing room,” he said. “He was loved by the players and tactically very astute.

“Keane was a driving force, but neither were the best footballers. They had unbelievable qualities that made them great players, but the great players we’ve had in terms of real quality, you have to look at Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes.

“But to try to say who was the best of them all is very difficult.

“No player has run up and down the touchline in the Premier League as long as Giggs. He’s done it since it started.

“His consistency and quality mark him down as the best player ever in the Premier League. He is an incredible player.”

Wonder if he understands anything.

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Added on September 24, 2010, 9:51 pmO'Shea with a BJ move, Bebe with a HJ move?

are u sure this is Wan!? When i first came, u were like the most serious guy in here besides alien. It was like, every post is like an essay covering every part, sometimes with news about the team, sometimes with lineup sheets. But.. 

Jokes aside, anyone else thinks that Fletcher is ready to cement his name from rotations in midfield? I personally thinks that he should spend more time with Scholes to learn a little more before he establish himself as a regular starter. It will be rotational with Anderson back, Gibson catching up, Scholes never seem to be lesser than what he have, and Owen Hargreaves back  Frankly, I only watched the first half of the champions league game against Rangers and I thought Fletcher's long passes are a lot behind Scholes'. It wasn't too much of a help when the team isn't fielding their best 11 especially against a tinier team. I think Valencia was in the game, and it never really seem like he is getting fed like how he was fed from Scholes. Before I went snoozing, I thought that I wouldn't be surprised if United draws goaless.
Btw: HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER SEASON 6 IS AWESSSOMMEEEEEEE. Neil Patrick Harris on his best with Colbie Smulders si bei 

I miss those days where keano was still around..especially when we are against arsenal..patrick viera vs keano..god damn it was awesome..

I'm not old enough to watch Keano play time at United. Watch highlight at youtube not same

no worries mate pleanty of vidoes out there and mostly that united spirit is what counts.once a red always a devil

I start follow EPL match the time Keane leave to Celtic. I still remember Keane kutuk all United player that time. RVN lazy, CR only know run and run, Fletcher chase ball like maniac but not helpful    Only remember that

I miss those days where keano was still around..especially when we are against arsenal..patrick viera vs keano..god damn it was awesome..

owen back on the pitch...knock on wood he has good training period, eased back in to the game and then ready for a very welcomed return to silent most of his critics every where

btw all focus on owen, lest we forget about carrick.he is back too.just in time for the nitty gritty stages of the season. 3 games in spaces of most 7 days.

I start follow EPL match the time Keane leave to Celtic. I still remember Keane kutuk all United player that time. RVN lazy, CR only know run and run, Fletcher chase ball like maniac but not helpful    Only remember that

well he was the skipper and was very vocal about it.the embodiment of fergie's phase "no one is bigger then the club".that what makes him special at united.the guy would give every thing for the club.

inter vs milan this weekend....

Don't forget Ando as well. Suddenly our options there looking great. With Valencia out, we might see Hargreaves play in his position where he was great.

Scholes, Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson, Hargreaves, Gibson.

You miss one hell of a player. Fletcher + Carrick(minus the long pass, he was more economical with his passing) + Mascherano + a lot more. One minute he was near or even inside the penalty area to score a goal, and once the opposition counter attack, he'll be the one making the tackles on the other side of the pitch, and then straight away join the next attack. That's the kind of player he was. Box to box. Keane-Butt/Scholes. I didn't see many live games back in the day, but from the few live games they showed, I still remember how we look really poor whenever he misses a game. Butt-Scholes don't look as effective against most sides. Always lacking something.

eh, isn't it Inter v Roma?