RedsUnite: a man utd blog

Photo via Purpleslog

It’s January, so its TRANSFER TIME! Ok, so it really isn’t that exciting. Considering that Ferguson is on record as saying that the window is already closed for Manchester United, Tottenham want 35 million pounds for Dimitar Berbatov, and some dude named Bosingwa costs 22 million pounds–that’s absolutely insane–Manchester United may be best served to do nothing at all.

We have a fine side if everyone is fit. A big if, I know. But the only matches that we have struggled in this season have been those in which Wayne Rooney has been unable to join the side. He has suffered from a fluky injury and a virus this season, leaving us vulnerable on more than a handful of occasions, but with any luck he should be fit for the remainder of the season.

This leaves us with two world class strikers, a World XI winger who can fill in at striker in a pinch, and Louis Saha. I know that we would all love to have Dimitar Berbatov to bring off the bench to spell Rooney and Tevez, but how spoiled are we? Should we spend 35 million pounds mid-season to reinforce a position that is already strong enough?

Obviously we are deep enough at midfield–5 deep at central midfield and 4 deep on the wing–and any further purchases at those positions would make finding playing time for everyone even more difficult than it is. When the names of international players like Javier Mascherano are kicked around it is natural to say, “sounds good!” But realistically, we are already overstocked at midfield, with a great likelihood that someone will be moved this summer.

There could be an argument made for importing a fullback as along term replacement for Gary Neville, but Wes Brown and John O’Shea provide reasonable, if slightly frightening, service at fullback. To splash 20-plus million pounds for a fullback in the January window would be horrible long-term decision making given that our current situation isn’t exactly dreadful and we have reserve team players, like Danny Simpson, who are slated to get a chance next season.

Our biggest vulnerability as we move forward is central defense. Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand have been stalwart this season, but it is at great peril that we believe that they can continue to play every game without picking up a knock or wearing down towards season’s end. John O’Shea and Wes Brown have been plugged in before, but I, and I know I’m not alone, do not feel overwhelmed with confidence when they are paired with either Vidic or Ferdinand. Outside of goalkeeper, the position of central defense is most likely to be punished when mistakes are made. The prospect of facing an AC Milan with John O’Shea at central defense is unsettling at best. Gerard Pique looks to be a solid option in the future, but it has not been in the plans to use him regularly this season and to be forced to do so as the games increase in importance would be unfortunate.

If we are to make a transfer move this January, which I don’t wholly believe we should, it should be to shore up our central defense. Goals may not always come, but 1-0 results are not always horrible. If Vidic or Ferdinand pick up a knock, however, we would be unlikelyto maintain the frugality in defense that has enabled us to win those close matches.
While picking up clinical goal scorers and scintillating wingers is always more exciting to imagine, to neglect the adversity that we would face if Nemanja or Rio were to be lost is irresponsible and if any moves are to be made they should be made to insure we never get caught napping at the back.