United Daily: What Fergie Can Learn From Wenger, etc…
Arsenal Go Five Clear
Arsenal won 2-0 against Blackburn Rovers last night to solidify their lead atop the Premiership table. Their victory sets them five points clear of United and eight points clear of a Chelsea side that seem to be going through many of the same issues we are. In fact, the only positive to be taken from this past weekend was that Chelsea look just as dull and uninspired as we do(save Liverpool’s continuing nightmare). Their boss, Avram Grant, is having an enormously difficult time, as Fergie is, finding a midfield pairing that works and they are unable to take advantage when given an opportunity to gain considerable ground on us.
Arsenal, however, aren’t having such problems and Wenger deserves credit for that. Arsene has proven that he will place the club before individual egos, something Ferguson seems disinclined to do. Wenger has benched Gilberto Silva, one of Arsenal’s best performers last year and given the captain’s armband to William Gallas despite the fact that Gilberto was Arsenal’s vice-captain in 2006-2007. When Thierry Henry left for Barcelona many thought that Gilberto would be his successor. Wenger chose Gallas, however, who has handled his captain role tremendously well. Certainly Wenger could have been more tactful in the manner in which Gilberto has had his role and importance reduced, but it doesn’t change the fact that Wenger has made difficult choices that must have been unpopular in some corners for the betterment of the club. While Gilberto’s quality and history with the club would suggest that he is deserving of a larger role, if he doesn’t fit what Wenger is trying to do he will not play. And while Gilberto may have been the heir apparent to Henry, Henry’s departure signaled a new era at Arsenal and new leadership made sense. Here’s hoping that SAF is taking notes, for these problems apply to United today.
Now we have to listen to Eriksson
Sven Goran Eriksson is feeling pretty good these days. In his first year as Manchester City boss he has ushered the Blues to their first double over United since 1969-1970. If I were him, I suppose, I’d be running my mouth as well. On the Blues victory over United Sunday, Eriksson had this to say:
“You never know how important it could be. You win the title in March and April, but this is still a body blow to Manchester United’s hopes.”
The reason for City’s success against United, according to Eriksson, was their approach to the game. He claimed to have learned a great deal from their previous defeat to Arsenal and implemented those lessons on Sunday.
“The difference between our games against Arsenal and United was our approach. In the first 30 minutes against Arsenal we didn’t disturb them. We only conceded three free-kicks and what’s that against the likes of Fabregas? I’m not saying go out and kill them, but go out and disturb them at the very least, pull their shirts sometime. But against United it was a completely different attitude and fighting spirit. What we did against United, we should have done a week ago against Arsenal. We learnt our lesson and went out and did a perfect job against them.”
Can you really argue with him? SAF fielded a soft, finesse team and we were punished for it. It was arrogant of Ferguson to assume that we could simply overpower a City team that is content to put 10 players behind the ball and break out in counter attacks. Hopefully we will have learned from City as City learned from Arsenal: different teams require different tactics.
United to tour South Africa
It’s confirmed, Manchester United will travel to South Africa this summer to participate in the Vodacom Challenge. It will be a three-team tournament featuring United and top South African clubs Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. United will play three matches, one against each and then a third against the winner of a match between the South African sides.
Neville has “no doubt’s he’ll be okay”
United captain Gary Neville sought to address those who have questioned whether the United veteran will ever return to the pitch. Absent for nearly a year, Neville has been sorely missed. Sunday’s Manchester derby saw United field a side that featured Wes Brown and John O’Shea at fullback, hardly menacing threats in advanced positions. With little depth at the position, many have pondered if United must begin looking elsewhere for help. Neville moved to alleviate those concerns stating:
“The fact I’ve been out for so long brings about speculation regarding whether or not I’ll make it back. I understand that. Ironically my ankle has been okay for the last couple of months, I’ve just picked up little knocks here and there that have lasted a couple of weeks or so; they can really set you back when you’ve been out for so long. I’m training again and I am focused on getting fit. I’m not going to put a timescale on it or name a game when I’ll be back. Once I get fit, and I’m doing the best I can to get to that point, I’ve no doubts I’ll be okay.”
I’m still concerned, how about you?
Lyon’s President is funny
Jean-Michel Aulus had this to say when asked about United seeking to acquire Lyon’s Karim Benzema and Hatem Ben Afra:
“If (Ferguson) wants to exchange Cristiano Ronaldo for Ben Arfa we could talk about it, but they would have to also give us a bit of money.”
Good stuff.
Blog Report - Many articles worth reading today
- 34 Year Timeline: Derby Day Defeat in Perspective (A Kick In The Grass)
- We Need a Quick Fix — Why Rooney MUST be Captain (Republik of Macunia)
- United’s Italian Interest. Neville’s Retirement Plans, etc… (Red Rants)
One Comment, Comment or Ping
Chris H
Bit harsh on Ferguson IMO. We’ve stayed about even with Arsenal over the past month or two, and before dropping points in these last two, we had won 9 of our last 10 league games. As for being ruthless with the squad, he’s sold or dropped many a player over the years. To be honest, I haven’t been able to see more than highlights of far too many of our matches this season, so I hesitate to offer an opinion as to whether or not Giggs and Scholes are past their sell-by date. Although I have seen an instance or two of Giggs just not having the legs that he used to, and being embarrassed by someone racing past him. That was troubling.
Will be a shame when either or both of them aren’t up to holding down a starting place any more. If that does prove to be the case as the season reaches a close, I wonder if the club would choose to sell them, or keep them on as squad players, getting less playing time but still coming on to do a job from time to time. I’m not sure how much they’d be worth on the open market, or whether it would be enough to purchase suitable replacements. I think there’s a good chance they’ll retire while still wearing Red, the way Ole did, although Scholes might choose to play a season or two with his local team, Oldham, who are in League One at the moment. He’d probably be good enough to play in that division well into his 40s if he chose.
The purchase of 3 central midfielders in the past 18 months shows that the club is certainly preparing for life without Scholes. I wonder how soon that will come, and who of the remaining players will become the first choice pairing. If there is first choice pairing. As for Nani some day replacing Giggs, the Portuguese still looks a bit raw. Promising, but raw. I wonder.
I share your concern about Neville. We’ve missed him this year, and the longer he stays out, the more likely it becomes that he’ll do an Ole, or become a Saha. But if he regains his old form, it would certainly be a pleasure to watch him and Evra buzzing down the wings. Brown and O’Shea together in defense looked awful this weekend. As did the rest of the team, including Ronaldo, from whom I was expecting more.
South Africa in July. Far better timing for an overseas trip than, say, Saudi Arabia in January. How did we ever agree to that one?
Feb 12th, 2008
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