Nemanja wrote:I'd say the "kids" that we have chosen in the Carling Cup so far are Welbeck, Macheda, Obertan, Gibson, Anderson, Fabio and Rafael.
Sure, a few of them have played CL and all have played PL, but they're still only youngsters. However, despite what Fergie has said previously, he cannot play that side, because it won't beat City.
Before, we knew that if in doubt, we could give the ball to Ronaldo and 8 times out of 10 he would score a goal to get us a draw or more likely a win, the team always had confidence in him getting something. This season we rely on Rooney, and his ability to pull something from nothing isn't as good as what Ronaldo, which aint something to be upset about, Ronaldo was a freak.
Rooney liked playing alongside Ronaldo. They both read each other's game perfectly, and together they created just about everything that was good about United. Rooney liked playing alongside Tevez too, and his partnership with Berbatov just aint working. Berbatov is by far one of the best players on the ball in the League, but he doesn't fit into the United system with Rooney, he always wants one or two touches too many IMO. Unfortunately, I think we should cut our losses and say goodbye to him.
Another major loss for United since we lost Ronaldo is pace. Evra and the da Silvas apart, we have a shocking lack of pace in the side. Many times this season when we've tried to hit on the break (previously one of out biggest strengths), but we've tried to use Carrick as the breakaway. Although you can always rely on Carrick to keep the ball, he isn't going to sprint up to the other end of the field in a matter of seconds. So this season, we've tried to pass our way out, and with our awful passing so far this year we often lose it and put ourselves back under pressure.
Fergie claims he has £60million to spend, well he needs to buy a striker and a creative midfielder. Ideally, he'd sign David Silva, but as a cheaper alternative, somebody like Milner from Villa could be just as effective. He's somebody that puts 110% into every game, he can play anywhere along midfield, and he'll do all the running and hard work that we lost when Tevez left. Not only that, but he can hit the ball too.
As it's two legs and we're at home second, I think we are probably just about favourites, as long as we don't get stuffed at Eastlands. If it was a one legged tie, I'd put you as favourites.
ATM I even think AC Milan will chuck us out of Europe too.
Some good points here. For me one of the biggest issues is our creatvity, if Rooney does not play well then there just isn't any. There is way too much reliance on him and I think he will end up playing too many games and become jaded as the season closes.
I think there are several areas we need to strengthen, most impotantly would be an attacking centre midfielder and a wide left player. That would give us pace down both flanks and enable us to break with pace like we always have done. After that I would look at shipping out Berba and bringing in a replacement and also sign a top class keeper and then decide on a fixed no.2 between the two lads there now.
We have been linked with Di Maria and Silva who would both fit the bill for Utd and there have been links with Villa and Fabiano. Trouble is what money does Fergie have?
I woiuld also look to bring in a new no.2, for me we always look our best when we have a proper assistant to Fergie and I don't rate Phelan at all.
Utd don't seem to have the edge to their game this season, in the past they would have found a goal from somewhere against Leeds and they would have fought for their lives, for me there are too many players either past their best or players who just are not Utd players.
