All this talk that paul scholes must be replaced is abit over exagerated, because the fact is hes only been a bit part player over the last 2 seasons yet we managed to get our 19th premier league title and a carling cup. Creativity wasnt what stoped us from beating Barca, it was a lack of a top Defensive Mid who could work in tandem with Carrick and allow us to break against barca. Anyways my opinion is that we should be able to ride this season out without breaking the bank and im certain we will be challenging on all fronts like always. Glory Glory Man UTD !! Also some of you may remember me from the 606 boards
Did you use the same user name? Anyway welcome to the board. I would not be surprised if Utd signed 2 CM's. With Scholes gone, yes we could do with a CM with an eye for a pass and who loves to shoot. But I totally agree with Hargreaves gone and Fletcher still unfit, we need a player who can put his foot in and scare the opposition. SAF may play Jones in that role for some games but I think another player is needed. Unsure who but.
Isn't Carrick supposed to be that defensive midfielder? He certainly doesn't offer anything going forward. The way he keeps out of the way of the action in big games I would have thought it would be a major priority. Charlie Adam would have been an excellent purchase.
im irritated about this to be honest,we've been strengthening in all the wrong places for years now,midfield has been and will be the only problem area unless we sign someone new. carrick-cack fletcher-good anderson-hot and cold cleverly-??? giggs-lucky if he can play 25 games next season at his age. park-doesnt like the position
Please tell me you are not serious? Adam cannot tackle and is only useful at pinging long balls across the pitch or at set pieces. Beside I did recall some reports last season saying his fitness was questionable as he failed or couldn't be bothered to track back and defend when the ball was lost. He had one good season in the PL and now he is some kind of messiah at liverpool.
Carrick - not cack but played as a defensive player which does not allow him to use his main strength which is his passing. If we signed a top defensive midfield player it would free him from that role to take a more advanced role. Fletcher - Top player who can do the ugly stuff very well. Anderson - You would be hot and cold if you were in and out of the team like him. Given regular football I believe he will come good. Cleverley - Inexperienced but will get games in the domestic cups but has a lot of talent. Giggs - For a man of his age he is still a class act. Park - Vital player whose hard work contributes massively to the team. In my opinion, a defensive minded midfield player is more essential than a playmaker as Carrick can do that if he was freed from the defensive role he has been playing for the last couple of seasons.
And Scholes could tackle? I agree with the part about Adam lacking stamina but we can work on that and a Charlie Adam that works hard for 90 mins can ping the ball about and is a threat form set pieces is then starting to look a good player. I don't think we are going on about him much either, most fans are waiting to see how he plays and unlike our other signings the transfer fee was really good.
I agree there is a hole in our squad (where CM should be ) but you are welcome to Adam. He's an Utd fan you know.
Carra was an Everton fan but he's served his time and is now a Liverppol legend. When Adam bangs in a free kick against you lot we may start to forgive him for previous crimes.
Not really. I don't see what he offers that we don't have already. Carrick's range of passing is better off both wings as well. We have decent set piece takers, Giggs, Carrick even Anderson when they actually concentrate and we should have goals from midfield but it's not a necessity. I don't see why we should change the role that Carrick plays. I think his best position is that shield in front of the defence. It means he gets the ball and he has the ability to keep ticking us over just like Scholes did. He doesn't need to bomb forward but with another central midfielder that knows his defensive duties (as all of our central midfielders- Ando, Fletcher, Giggs and even Park), Carrick has the ability to play the game at his own tempo. It's no coincidence that our pickup in form towards the end of the season coincided with Carrick, one playing regularly and two in a constant position and role. I don't think Cleverly's allround game (defensive side) is there yet so I don't think he is ready to play in the centre of midfield so I suspect for the time being he will be used on the left similarly to Nani. Fletcher needs to re-bulk up and get some match fitness. Giggs can still change the game against any opponent, it's quite ridiculous how he is still probably world class at nearing 40! I wouldn't mind seeing another central midfielder. Not a true defensive midfielder but someone in the mould of a Fletcher than has the ability to play defensively and attacking. Don't suppose there is many other like that but I've said this before, Javi Martinez is one that could certainly do that.
Yeah but when Owen gets a hat trick to cancel out that free kick you just know the red half of Liverpool will be crying
The problem is that Cleverley's chances on the left will be limited with players like Nani and Young in the squad
I believe I'm the only one who has understood SAF's concept. We do not need to acquire the services a midfielder, I'm pretty sure Gibson's capable of stepping up to fulfill Scholes' position, he has the ability to do so. I have envisaged Gibson as the heart of our midfield in the upcoming years. He offers a lot more than Carrick does to be honest - Gibson's the next Scholes.
carrick played regulary all season,but didnt start playing really well untill the season was coming to an end.it was the same last season.
