so, hope u enjoy my last long post eh? now today, back to the hot issue of midfield, which we failed to acquire a reinforcement or some sort for the past few years.
it has been some years since we ever owned a midfield general, someone that add that extra steel into the middle of the park and stamp fear into the oppositions. From those days of Keano, until the we got Hargo and then at some point we've got Fletchinho in the mix. All these 3 are the steel that a team like us sometimes need, during a different ballgame is played. While some may say Carrick is a replacement for Keano 'cos of the jersey number that he wears. Well. like all the Reds have been singing every-single-time, "There's only one Keano, there's only one Keano". Carrick is a whole new different kinda midfielder. Should I say, an all rounder. Creative + can tackle as well. The midfield requirements have evolved since those Makalele's days to those of Pirlo-esque in the modern football world. Much like Real with Xabi, Barca with the duo, Juve with Pirlo, Spurs with Modric previously. I knew we were onto something great the moment Carrick's deal was sealed. True enough, we won few trophies with him on our side, the creative force behind. But he can't operate alone, there must be someone next to him sweeping, mopping. Hence, a few of midfielders were brought in to complement Carrick. Ando, Clev, Fletchinho. I do not understand the cry for a midfield general so urgent that it needs to be acquired this season. It is good if we do get one. It doesn't mean the end of the world if we don't get one. But then again, Carrick are not young anymore.Fletchinho's health condition is, well...... :facepalm: I can even obmit him outta the squad totally. Ando & Clev are stil too young and not able to step-up to the job, yet. We need to think far, far ahead now. How many in the academy are close enough to feature in first team squad regularly? Well, we had one, but he went to Juve and flourished there. The rest is history. I've always told
AuRevoir that if we ever to dive into the transfer market and get busy, we will need to get 2 midfielders that are of first team quality. 2 midfielders that can play day-in and out, and then at the same time and let the youngsters play a bit during injury time of last 10-15minutes of the game when we've sealed the game.
It's hard to get/unearth Carrick type of players as he possessed the creative as well as abit, mind you, abit of steel to our gameplay. I do not even hear the medias ever come out with a younger generation that is dubbed as "the next pirlo", "the next Xabi", "the next Xavi/Iniesta", "the next Carrick" thus far. All we are linked with right now, are more of those categorised as tough-tackling midfielders eg. Strootman, afroman, Marchisio, Vidal, Veloso. At the same time, we were also looking for possible replacement for Carrick, which bring us to Thiago, Cesc & Gundogan. AND NO, JONESY & GIGGSY ARE NOT MIDFIELDERS!
Some might say, "Hey, we've been winning the league even without addition of midfielders, why change it? If it aint broken, don't fix it." Those who asked this question are clearly those that only satisfied at what they have at current state and do not wish to improve anymore. The future guys, the future. I don't wanna see both Carrick and Fletchinho play until they're 40. I even hope Rio can retire next year when he's 35! Act ASAP before the market gets even more inflated that it is now.
On a sidenote, the whole Thiago + Cesc saga is kinda like a "revenge" to what those 2 spanish giants did to other teams when comes to bidding for player(s). At first, they'll declare their interest via their "designated" local newspapers. This will last for few weeks while waiting for the player's response. However there's no official bid amount tabled at all. In football world, this is supposed to be illegal as this means "tapping up" the player. Right, the player's camp responded. Those 2 feckers teams will kept on strutting their stuff via the newspaper, again. They have successfully "unsettled" the player. The player now would wanna held talks with his club officials about a move to those 2 clubs after reporting interest via the papers. Remember, stil no official bid at this stage. Then, talk broke down. Player asks for transfer request. Club has to sell cos no point having a player whose heart is no longer here. BAM! Sounds familiar??
Have faith in Moyes. Like SAF said during his last speech on the pitch:
Your job now is to stand by our new manager.skian, tima kase.
even IF we don't buy anyone else, I would like to see the youngsters develop this season or two =) they seem promising. Moyes has been trying things here and there during preseason so he will know what is best. personally would LOVE a midfield general. Even afro would do. but apart from Ando, the rest of the team is playing well, just combinations need to be adjusted. Kagawa is no where near his top form to be honest, and hope he reaches. Nani, valencia when top form are crazy. Seems like Fabio has been handed some playing time and establishing himself. onwards march!
Jul 20 2013, 10:00 AM
baines, afro, cesc, bale, CR. Though all seem so unlikely
new era of football = $$$
Quote
Come come come to united. 
I iz scared for new season. but staying strong and trusting MU always 
sell nani for some $$$ and LETS GET CR+BALE+MESSI+bla bla bla bla bla.
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