Chicharito, our Little Pea, has superseded any expectations our fans, players and manager had of him. After signing for United, he left the World Cup as the fastest player of the competition, having scored goals against Argentina and France. He had given us plenty to be excited about but having spent his career in Mexico and not having the build you would think necessary for English football, it was hard to imagine he would make much impact during his first season.
Not only did he make an impact, becoming the first United player since Ruud van Nistelrooy to score 20 goals in his début season, he changed the way United play. For all our big games over the past few years, Ferguson has dumped 442, even shifting Wayne Rooney out on to the left, to try and find a formation which will counteract the strengths of our opponents. In our big games in Europe, it’s been years since we’ve played the more familiar 442/4411, yet thanks to Chicharito, this is exactly the formation we were playing. It meant Rooney’s strengths could be used effectively and we could show every opponent that we meant business. Brilliant.
All of this meant that Dimitar Berbatov, the league’s top scorer, was moved to the bench. Unlike strikers of recent years, like Carlos Tevez and Ruud van Nistelrooy, Berba was happy to play his part in the squad. He came off the bench away to West Ham and helped change the game, as well as scoring a last minute minute winner against Bolton after replacing Chicharito, after Jonny Evans had been sent off with quarter of an hour to play. Having two great strikers isn’t good enough and thanks to Berba’s determination to play for United, it means we get a striker with his great quality as our 3rd choice.
His poor performance as the lone striker against City in the FA Cup semi-final appeared to be his lowest point in the season, until his omission from the Champions League final squad. Berba watched the final from the dressing room (in tears?) and was left to dwell on whether he had a career at United or not. With just a year left on his current deal, we still don’t know conclusively what will happen with him, but as far as he’s concerned, he’s staying.
“I will stay,” he said. “I will fight for the 20th title. If I were an easy quitter, I would never have made it this far. There will be new finals and we will be fighting for new titles. I am moving ahead. When you go through difficult times, you should not quit.”
For the manager to leave him out of the squad, which he admitted caused him heartache, you have to wonder how much of a future at the club he sees for the Bulgarian. Berbatov would be completely within his rights to have a strop and want to leave, so all credit to him for sticking to it. He has handled the situation with usual class, but whether that guarantees his place in our squad, who knows.
Considering it was Michael Owen who got on the bench ahead of Berbatov, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he’s had his contract extended, but it did. The former Liverpool striker contributed well enough in his first season, scoring that last minute winner against City, scoring a vital goal in the League Cup final and scoring a hattrick against the German champions in Europe, as he likes to remind us, but he hasn’t done an awful lot this season. At the awards evening a few weeks ago, he was asked about his personal highlights of the season, which left him shifting uncomfortably, before talking about his first season. What did he do this year? He scored five goals in all competitions and one of those earned us a point at the Reebok after we had gone 2-1 down to Bolton. It’s nothing to write home about though. Assuming we’ve got him on another pay-per-play deal though, it’s not the worst bit of business we could have done.
That leaves us with our two younger strikers who have spent this season out on loan. Some have questioned whether they have got what it takes to make it at United but we’ll never know until they’re given a real chance in the squad. If we assume Berba stays, that leaves Danny Welbeck and Federico Macheda as our 5th and 6th choice strikers. Given that Owen, even when fit, hardly got a look in this season, what chance would Danny and Kiko have? Owen is a pro and maybe he’s a good influence to have at the club but I do wonder if his new deal means we’ll be looking to sell on our young lads. How could we expect them to play the odd League Cup game after playing first team football elsewhere this season?
We have been lucky with injuries this season but who we have as 3rd choice is incredibly important, given how prone to injuries Rooney usually is. If we were to sell Berba, we’d get next to nothing for him and in the case of a long term injury to Rooney or Chicharito, we’d be screwed, particularly when looking at Owen’s injury history, regardless of what his brochure says.
So here’s to Rooney and Chicharito scoring a shed load next season, Berba ready to share the load when called upon, and Owen to justify his new contract.
Can Manchester United score? They always score.
Man Utd News 24/7
19th
Second year for Chicharito. Rooney more settled and developing as a false 10. The future is bright. Hopefully good signings this summer and a season free of the uncertainty of this past fall.
Don’t forget Wellbeck and more opportunities for our youth FA cup champions.
The future is bright.
STR – Loved the article, you must have had some strong coffee this morning buddy!
Like you say if we keep the status quo we should be fine and I would throw Welbeck into the mix as well…
Loved how you ended the article….. And Solskjaer has won it!
I would be surprised if Kiko was back as a Utd player. Wellbeck, I don’t know – just to make up the numbers? How will he develop?
Scott and some of the other Manchester locals – is it 100% confirmed that all is forgiven between Fergie and Rooney? Or do you hear whispers around the pubs? That’s the only answer I can think of that solves the puzzle, and it’s not a pleasant one. Else, Danny’s move becoming permanant? Or despite his own preference to stay, Berba being shafted?
Good point about the injuries.
Owen is the closest in style to Hernandez, and still has real value as cover and as substitute, a situation which he seems to accept.
No mention of M B Diouf! He and Macheda are on their way out, and Welbeck will stay on loan for another year. Next summer, we’ll sell Owen and bring Danny back and start to integrate him into the first team.
Hi Scott you forgot that we also have Mame Biram Diouf to come back so we now have 7 Strikers plus that fact that Josh King has recently signed a new deal and will be looking to come through unless he gets put on loan. My opinion put Macheda on loan to a prem side that have just come up and sell Mame Biram Diouf he obviuosly wasn’t that good if he couldn’t get a regular starting berth in the Blackburn team even when the sewer rat left.
Good summary Scott.
Mr Oakley
I was perusing the letters section at the back of the Guardian’s Sport section yesterday, and who should I find writing an elegant, glowing tribute to Paul Scholes?!
Well done sir!
One midfielder we should get… Ricardo Alvarez… Great Talent! Sign Him Fergie!!!
If United does keep Berbatov then he will be our third choice striker and will more than likely be ommitted from the big games. If Berbatov is happy with that like Ole Solskjear was then fair play. But like it or not he failed at the important games, Everton Semi final, City Semi final, Chelsea and Blackburn last season. He had ample oppurtunity in the Blackpool game to become the overall winner of the golden boot instead of shared.
The guy has skill no doubt and he seems to fall short when needed (at least his hatrick against the Dippers was worth shouting about).
Rooney, Owen and Chicha are the 3 certain ones obviously. After that, everything’s possible. If I had to make a guess, I’d say that our front line next season will be this:
Rooney, Hernandez, Owen, Welbeck and Macheda.
Without Berba?
We would lost a huge amount of quality against teams who are parking the bus.
@Zelh
Can’t see him staying mate. I’d love for him to stay and fight for his place, but I feel that the club would rather sell him now. I keep remembering how Veron was sold even though I doubt he wanted to leave. The same might happen here since it looks like Fergie has lost his faith in him.
The Owen contract I find a bit strange as he and Chicharito have very similar styles.
In the past, with Yorke & Cole alternating with Sherringham & Solsjaere for example, defences were given different problems to deal with. How often, at all levels, does one see a substitution made which almost straight away yields a goal ? Defenders get comfortable or familiar with the methods of the forwards against them and can invariably be confused by a sub who breaks that mould.
At Wembley, we ended up lumping the ball upfield in desperation but the ONLY player we have in the squad who could hold it up and not cede immediate possession back to Barca was in the dressing room.
@Costas
I don’t think he’s going anywhere, and I don’t think Fergie’s lost faith in him.
We have to remember that a final against the current Barca is an exceptional cirumstance, to say the least, and playing two up front against them was even more exceptional. There was only ever going to be place for one striker on the bench. I’ve discussed on previous threads why Owen was the right decision in my opinion, and don’t want to get into that here.
IMO it does not reflect a loss of faith, more a tough decision that had to be made, that Berba was simply the wrong player for that situation.
Nani had a similar ‘fall from favour’ at the back end of the season, but I don’t see his future being discussed. The fact is, they’re both – to an extent – ‘luxury’ players. Abundance of skill and the ability to weave some magic in the more open games in the first two-thirds of the season. But they lack the attritional qualities which are so important at squeaky bum time. Without the glut of goals and assists they provided between them, we wouldn’t even have had the platform for the final push at the end of the season. Fergie knows this, and I’m sure both will play big, big parts next season, as they did this season.
Costas
Morning my friend…. Thanks were sent on the Berba I am Staying thread ……Cheers again
Whats with the Owen bashing Scott? I understand that Berba is one of your favourite players and you may be upset at recent events but its hardly Owen’s fault !
Sure he didn’t have a sparkling season but it wasn’t exactly his fault that he wasn’t given too many opportunities and I’m personally quite pleased that we’ve signed him up for another year especially given that he seems quite happy with being a squad player. He could very easily have left and gone to a mid table EPL side and been a regular there but prefered to stay with us. Can’t ask for more
As for the young ‘uns I think we’ll hang onto wellbeck and might see him get a few games out on the wing. Macheda having failed to impress on loan at Sampdoria will probably be loaned back out in what could be a make or break season for him. Ever since that Villa goal he’s had a place in my heart but while effective when coming off the bench he’s been pretty useless when playing a full game
@costas
“Fergie has lost his faith in him.”i love reding your posts but i think it is too bold to say
how can you be so sure about saf’s decision….i think it is not wise for us to base our decisions about future of berba on one match…
sorry mate but just my opinion…
@Cedars
Don’t mention it mate. It was my job.
@kanchelskis, geneside
It’s not just the Barcelona game guys. It’s most of the second half of this season. Maybe “lost his faith” was a bit too harsh, but I have to admit that this situation feels too similar to the ones we witnessed just before Beckham or Van Nistelrooy left. When a player’s time at OT is running out, you normally sense it by the way Fergie is phasing them out.
Sell Rooney buy Heskey
Sell Berba sign Boothroyd
Sell Hernandez sign Beliion
Sell Owen buy Inzaghi
Sign Ashley Young = Messi
Good Morning Manchester United
Anyone cracked the Barca protocol yet?
Sunderland interested in Gibson.
I hope for him that he can move on.
Personally I believe that our 4 strikers next season will be Berba, Rooney, Hernandez and Owen… Its additions in the middle and in the GK department that will see coming in…
Then again what do I know, after all I am not a ‘supporter’ according to Denise
Where is Fred? Need us a laugh
If welbeck, Macheda and Diouf are going to come back we’l have 7 or 8 strikers to our disposal. Sir Alex has said before even Bebe is going to be in the strikers role. So the likes of Joshua king and Will Keane has to wait for a year or so before they can break into the first team.
i think its a good sign for us for the next season coz we’l have no shortage of strikers if our main two are injured or out of form. Owen and Berba are content staying in the bench so there is no problem in the striking options.
By the way, he doesn’t come to mind at first, but lets not forget that Diouf is part of the team as well.
Cedars
Supporters like you – what do you know
Morning Cedars
Costas
I think we should have 11 strikers on the pitch
Will that beat Barca?
Get Berba in goal – Berba debate once and for all over lol
i wonder where does this leave bebe?
@MG
That’s probably the key mate.
Keep in mind, our current squad is comprised of 8 strikers, so we are close.
Another way to beat Barca would be playing Ashley Young, as you know very well MG.
MG
Morning my true RED friend…. Loved your post on the other thread buddy. Always know you will be a back up for me when needed….
Pity that some idiots have a one cell brain with no room for humor
Costas
I think we should send our plans to OT where we can meet SAF with our ingenious idea
Cedars – I think DW has a thing for you
The penalty spot from where Wayne Rooney fired Manchester United to their 19th league title is approaching £1m on eBay.
)))
Dear Berbatov,
It was a good interview. Who u are and what u have learnt at Manutd comes thru the interview.
Last time it was Park and Korea who were disapointed then he played in 2 finals, he only got better and did more.
Ferguson will not let yr situation or comments just slide,he will talk to you ,as i beleive he already has, he will motivate u and the team(cos they too understand and feel yr situation).
I commented at the beginning of the season (one of those rare moments that STR came out to comment on what I said) . I said basically this: ur a genius, ur moody, yr worst performance was last year at ewood park, u were rightly booed cos fans expect you to fight not just give up,they let u know how frustrated they were with yr efforts so far.
Fergie defended u ,believes in you,appreciates what u bring to the team. This season has been yr best , u recovered , u came back stronger and helped us win the 19th .Thank You.
But even though it has been less of a problem ,u still have drifted out of games,not many but ………
The CL Final ,was difficult for the Boss, he had to figure a team with the tactics he wanted to employ, he decided (that owen goal against blackpool says it all) Owen on the bench.
He wanted someone with his experience and playing off the barca defenders ,running into space and scoring. He wanted the midfeild and Rooney to slide the ball into space for Chica and laterOwen.
It did not work out that way but it is obvious what he wanted.
It would not surprise me if they offered u a contract extension. The four of u,in this order,Rooney,Chica,Berba,Owen are our main strikers.
Welbeck confirmed is Manutd material. He will play on both wings and both strike positions, how we know this? cos Fergis has said so and employed him in those positions.
As for Macheda,thats the only one we are not sure about and so is Mame. We just need to be patient and see what the Boss does next season.
Berba , I am happy u have got better,that ur part of this Family, and grateful for what u have done for us this season and yr loyalty and most importantly appreciate yr typical Manchester United attitude.
Stay and do what u just said. I beleive next season will be yr best and we win the 20th and the Champions League.
God Bless.
Dave Malaysia
Okay you can write the Costas MG proposal to beat Barca with 11 strikers
@MG : U need 1 goalkeeper,4 defenders,4 midfielders,2 strikers .
For those of you from Italy or those who follow the Serie A, can someone say how Macheda as done?
I think we are going to be losing a few of our youngsters. Sad as it is, it has to be done. Berbatov’s future hangs on a knife edge and we cannot say for sure unless we hear it from the horse’s mouth. Or when a few people start coming in, we can know how Sir Alex sees us lining up in the future.
I think Macheda is one who could be on his way out. From what I’ve gotten to see of him, he seems too similar to Hernandez. He relies more on getting behind his marker and being in the right place at the right time. He doesn’t offer anything different from Chicha, so could be on his way out.
Depending on who we sign, Welbeck could be sent out on loan, sold or bedded into the first team. Whatever happens, I think Welbeck will be used more like a winger (probably on the left) than an out-and-out striker. That is just my feeling though.
Of course, all of this depends on the kind of roles we have imagined for these players. Who knows, Sir Alex could shift Rooney to a permanently central role making way for the other two to be up top? Or Berbatov to be a kind of floater like Scholesy was in his hey-day? Those are all just food for thought over the summer.
I think when the first non-goalkeeping signing is made, we will have a clearer picture in general regarding our squad for next year. That is what I feel.
Morning Fellas,
The team to beat Barca:
Lindegaard– de gea — PIG
Rio——Vida——Smallings
Rafa——Fletch—-Evra
———–park—————
———-rooney————–
Few rules broken but Platini hates barca so he’ll sort it out for us
who said you cant start 2 keepers. 1 dives, the other 2 run around trying to pick the ball off strikers feet.
Ok someone check what @Clint-IamYourPapii is drinking, Costas did u give him yr kebab?
Interesting…
@ Balaji: Macheda started well and scored,then he sat on the bench and did nothing,just coming on as a sub , the story is how frustrated he is. His italian adventure did not turn out as he wished.
That kid shud have listened to Fergie and gone on loan to a Premier League or Championship side.
We cannot beat Barca without Heskey and Young (aka Messi) We will also need Adam in midfield. We also need to buy 5 goal keepers, 7 midfield players and at least another 3 strikers. Marcos Bent has always topped my list…. Get Kevin Davis as well. Get Townsend out of retirement, what a midfield general he would be. Sell Hernandez, he has been a flop. Sack Sir Alex, he has lost it…
This club is on a down slide, I just pray we avoid relegation next season…. If we are to be relegated then I will start supporting Wigan, at least they know how to stay up
@costas fergie not lost fate in him, but made a mistake at wembley
Cedars
We need Stan Collymore to come out of retirement too
MG
Well spotted mate re Stan and I agree i think DM does have a crush me… he/she or even heshe must be lonely!
@MG, The Barcelona Protocol would be as follows.
Nightcrawler
Beast—Sabretooth—Juggernaut—Colossus
Shadowcat—Professor X— Mystique cloned as Messi — Iceman (losing ideas now)
Jean Grey/Phoenix – Havok
Yeah, I am watching X-Men: First Class in about two hours. So, you guys will have to bear with me.
Balaji
Professor X in the middle – fantastic – he can control Xavi
Cedars – forever the Ladies man – should have auditioned for Bond
@Balaji
hahahahaha We Need the Professor X to Mind fuck Guardiola & make him field 11 manaquins.
@MG, Of course, why else do you think I put him in the middle. The guy in the wheelchair. Seriously.
I badly wanted Magneto in the team but apparently there is not enough metal in the football pitch. Though I wonder whether he can do something as a goalkeeper. The posts are made of metal after all.
Scott, bashing Owen is in bad taste… U forget that he’s no more a Liverpool player. Your personal dislike of his playing history aside, show some respect to a United player!
The name is Devil, Cedars Devil….. shake that martini and do not stir it you idiot… Bloody fool must be a bitter…..
I see Papii is here…….. What a breath of fresh air you have been my friend. I hate long no football summers!
More loan deals on the way, I guess. Or options being kept open for cash/player arrangements. For that I suspect only Roo and Pea are off the table. Welbeck for Henderson? Owen for Young? either plus Mame & Kiko to Everton for Rodwell?
This is going to be a fascinating summer. I think SAF is about to build his final team; he has money and players to trade
I think this could mean curtains for two of our strikers – Diouf for certain, and one of Kiko, Welbeck and Berba.
http://www.fivecantonas.com/michael-owen-deal-winners-losers/
The worry for me is that Berba probably has the highest market value of those, despite being the most important of the three. Selling him would be a HUGE mistake, but I can see it happening.
i hope four strikers are rooney hernandez berba and welbeck
i think it will be rooney hernandez welbeck and owen
with kiko going onloan and maybe replacing owen the following season
i think diouf and berba will be sold
and i belive fergie will use berba to lure a big signing
I HOPE AM WRONG AND BERBAGOD STAYS
owen! owen! that guy loves free money and medals! did anyone saw him against juventus? the only reason why fergy kept him is probly to talk horses
I think SAF has kept Owen on the books mostly for his experience.
That experience will be passed on to Hernandez, Welbeck, and Macheda.
What’s wrong with rotating our strikers? I would hate to see Welbeck and Macheda leave.
My main worry like I said yesterday is Macheda. I don’t think that his loan spell in Italy has done a lot for his progress. Maybe we will send him to Brucey for a season to see what he can come up with?
I think the four main forwards/strikers next season are going to be Rooney, Chicha, Berba and Owen with Welbeck playing as the 5th forward/winger. Hopefully Macheda will go on loan to get some sustained and consistent PL action and experience. Diouf – I don’t know :S.. Maybe he’ll stay, maybe he’ll go on loan, maybe he’ll be sold if a good offer comes in.. can’t second guess the Gaffer!
@costas
thats a great idea mate
but if welbeck is in our squad dont u think berba will be sold
has fergie ever gone with 5 strikers
@ sachu – You have to think of Welbeck as being more than just a striker, he can operate as a winger too or play just off the front man in that ‘number 10′ role.
@sachu
Depends on how ready Welbeck is I feel. If Fergie feels that Danny is ready to make an impact in the first team, then Berbatov could be sold and we will be down to 4 strikers again. But if Welbeck needs more time, that might open the door for Berb to stay.
I don’t know how it came to me but last night I couldnt sleep, so I thought what else is a better use of my time than organise a dinner for my favourite 11 celebrities with the promise of a good meal and to watch the champions league final next year between United and Barca to round off the night. However what they wouldnt now is my dining room would take off in a giant airship, smooth and suttley so the notice nought. When over the city of manchester stadium (worthy hosts – tee hee) then a giant vacuum cleaner would suck off there clothes and the floor open up beneath them. Wallace and gromit style robot arms with United kits and boots will dress them as they fall past. The idea is they wont have pre match nerves so they will be ready and the adrenalin will kick off at just the right time, either that or they’ll fall to there deaths.
Anyway here goes.
Mathew corbet in goal. With Sooty and Sweep on his hands I count 2 very large padded hands plus 4 extra hands, which is needed.
Ann Robinson at LB because shes the white Patrice Evra
Bobby Ball and Jimmy Crankie, because we dont need height but we need them to have their wits.
Margerate Thatcher because she firmly entrenched on the right.
Defensive midfield goes to Neil Kinnock because hes always on the defensive and has an answer for everything.
My Wingers would be Bill and Ben so they can flob a lob into the box.
Attacking midfield goes to Muffin the Muel so Mascharano feels at home and has no desires to move.
The two forward possitions go to my two favourite actors because theyll have to look the part but not get much action – Will Farrell and Charlton Heston.
The manager will be me in a sheepskin coat with a parrot on my shoulder.
Hic fudge, that fly looks like a bee.
@berba god
mate i know u are desperate for berbagod to stay me toooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
but we have to be realistic it looks like fergie wants young and he is definetely awinger
so if we have young nani valencia park giggs why do u need more also cleverley can play there
@costas
mate thats correct also danny would get great learning from someone like owen
Guys , u cud do this allnight but still can come up with plenty of endless possibilities!
For example , Berba and Welbeck cud make an amzing partnership!
U cud see Welbeck on one wing and Nani on the other!
So basically , In this Order , Rooney,Chica,Berba,Owen,Welbeck. Macheda and Mame , no idea, maybe Macheda cud this time go on loan to a Premier side, wigan for example.
Dont Forget , we have Ajose,King and other knocking on the first team door.
And lastly , IF Fergie sees someone that good , he may sign, example Lukaku, possible.
Peace.
Can we talk about central midfielders now
I think we are running around in circles with strikers
Lukaku is fuckin overrated.
what is so great about shooting 12 goals in 28 games in a league like the belgian one.
@ sachu – I wouldn’t consider Sir Ryan as a winger now, he may be able to do the job now and again if required but if he does play it will be more likely be in a central role. I don’t know bout Ashley Young, I think he’s a good player and his set-pieces are quality, do think he would do well for us if the Gaffer signs him. I’d prefer a left footed winger IF we did go for a winger, there seems to be a lack of left ‘footed-ness’ in our squad at the moment, can only think natural ones being Evra, Giggs and Anderson.
Also what if (God-forbid) Valencia and Park were to get injured and be out for a few months or even more – we need options, its a squad game. Only a few players are guaranteed a place in our starting line-up next season and I would say they are Vidic and Rooney, the rest are up for grabs.
I think the key thing here is who we consider Berbatov cover for?
He’s miles better playing the trequartista role that Rooney has adopted this season than he is playing as a lone striker – he clearly loves linking the play and assisting goals.
I think that’s been overlooked this season too – it’s not as simple as the emergence of Hernandez, it is also equally to do with how well Rooney has adapted to playing the deeper role – when you play Rooney and Berbatov together the partnership falters, when you play Berbatov and Hernandez together there’s a clear understanding, and also when you play Rooney and Hernandez together. The problem is that whichever way you look at it Rooney and Berbatov don’t fit in the same starting 11, unless you’re going to start adopting a diamond in midfield with Rooney behind Berbatov and Hernandez… As for selling him? It doesn’t make any sense whatsoever – as others have said, being left out can only fuel his desire, and for goodness sake, CL Final or not, it’s only one game of an otherwise stellar season.
I’m pretty sure the Glazers wouldn’t sanction taking an enormous loss on a player who still is at his peak and has promise to fulfill in a summer where their public image is going to want to appear progressive… I expect him to sign a new contract, he’s unreal.
I’m sorry but as much as I love Kiko, he’s got to go – we can get a cool £6m or £7m for him – he’s a proven goalscorer already and needs to go somewhere where he’s not burdened by the expectation of his reputation or there’s immense pressure to replace a missing key player (Cassano). I think he’s got the Ben Foster Syndrome.
I really really liked the look of M B Diouf when he first signed for us, he’s clearly a natural and he was obviously buzzing off playing at OT – but he’s spent all season playing in midfield for a struggling side… maybe another year out on loan at one of Fergie’s close ally’s teams who play swift free-flowing attacking football in the Championship, who may be losing their 35 a year goalscorer… Darren? You there?
As for Bébé, he’s an unknown quantity and I don’t think he’s going to be ahead of anyone in the pecking order who has more confidence.
Owen? Great signing, he still scores goals, I couldn’t believe it when I realised he’d scored us 5 in all competitions this season, combined with his professional attitude and experience that’s a good return by anyone’s standards, especially someone who’s made all but one of his PL appearances from the bench.
Welbeck? Fergie loves him, so I’d expect him to be jostling Owen for our 4th striker position next year. I think that’s another reason Fergie has re-signed Owen, for the competition and the incentive it gives Welbeck – if the young upstart can knowck the old stager off his perch then it’s going to give him the confidence to try cementing a place in the match-day squads at Owen’s expense…
@ nosferatu – Well said Sir!
@ BerbaGod – thanks!
Good post Scott, agree with your stands. I prefer we keep Berba, as I think he is a unique player – when used right (!), but I do think SAF has signaled that he will be willing to listen to offers for him. I am desperate for Danny to get a shot at the first team, and really do think he has a real shot – given he stays off injuries. SAF has (almost) allways demanded that a young player has at least one good year out on loan, and that speaks for Danny and Tom, but for Kiko it means he needs another year out, it being on loan or a permanent move (with possible buy-back clause this time?? – ref. Rossi).
I m reading about Rossi…and what i m asking myself is, how is he good for Barcelona and is not good for us?
Second, i think that Wellback or Kiko has to get more chances. And then we have to see are they worth our club or not.
Third, i think that SAF didn t give enough chance to young strikers, and we lost good players like Rossi and Forlan for nothing. Rossi will score us to our next final wtih Barcelona instead he score them like our player.
welbeck will be our fourth. i have a soft spot for kiko but welbeck gets the nod. he has shown real potential during his loan
this is our pecking order. In my opinion.
1. Rooney.
2. Chicharito / Berbatov.
3. Welbeck.
4. Diouf.
The rest can be sold to whoever or whatever.
Mara,
Spanish League v Prem. There is really no comparison in quality of the 2 leagues.
Top 2-3 teams in Spain are something, but below 6th you really are slicing cheddar.
As far as I’m concerned, if Wellbeck is with us next season (and given the number of times SAF has said he will be, I see no reason to doubt it)- he will almost certainly be our 3rd choice. There’s no way he’d give up the chance of week in week out football at Sunderland, unless Fergie assures him that he sees him as next in line if Rooney/Chicha aren’t playing.
Berba I believe will/should leave, for the good of both parties concerned. £100k a week for a third choice striker just doesn’t make sense.
Owen will be more than happy to be 4th or even 5th choice. And if we do sell Berba, Owen might have even more of a role to play, as him and Rooney will be our only experienced frontmen.
Kiko I’m not sure about. I still think he has potential and I don’t think we should write him off. I just wonder whether another year on loan, but in the Premier League would be best.
@ nosferatu- “I think the key thing here is who we consider Berbatov cover for?
He’s miles better playing the trequartista role that Rooney has adopted this season than he is playing as a lone striker – he clearly loves linking the play and assisting goals. ”
I’d disagree tbh. In his first two seasons he played that role and it just didn’t work out. I’d attribute a lot of his success this season to the fact that he’s been playing much higher up the pitch, much more in and around the penalty area. Go back to the first 6 weeks of the season, he scored a bucketload of goals because he was further up the pitch, and Rooney was dropping deep and linking up with him (as poor as Rooney’s form was in those early parts, he did create a fair few goals/chances for Berba). It was the same at Spurs, where it was Robbie Keane who was doing the ‘Rooney’ job.
Then Rooney got injured, and Berba didn’t score a SINGLE goal until he came back, and his performance levels dropped a bit too. Why? Coz he was now being paired with Chicha, who took his position as the striker furthest up the pitch. Berba was back to playing in the playmaker role of his first 2 seasons- and again it didn’t work out (I’d say this was part of the reason for our below par showings in Oct/Nov). Then Rooney came back- Berba moves back up the pitch again- and scored 5 vs Rovers.
I wouldn’t trust Chicarito to score that many goals as in his first season. 2nd season is always harder and now the players know to watch out for him. I really hope Berba stays he will be needed, its a LONG season people usally forget that. And you never know with injuries.
@evisu
Thats not a good argument. This idea that players didn’t know Chicharito by April or May when he was still getting goals and then over the summer the scales will fall off their eyes and they’ll be enlightened as to how to stop his constant movement is something I just dont buy.
Did Ruud have second season syndrome? Did Torres? If you’re good you’re good. Simples.
PS) Dont understand you saying Berba would be justified to strop and leave Scott. Would Park have been justified to do that after he worked his butt off in the 2008 Semi against Barca only to get dropped for Moscow? Its a squad game.
I doubt Berba will stay now Owen has been signed.
I can’t see the Clun exercising their option to extend the contract and the Club has been silent amidst all the speculation of whether he will stay or go. Re strikers:
Rooney & Pea – clearly in, clearly talented but we also need a tall fast strong striker who can do more than just knock balls down, but can actually beat a man and hold them off Drogba style
Owen – he does not cost much I understand as he only gets paid when he plays and is fit to play so a cost effective back up – I am not a huge fan of the scouser, not my cup of tea at all ever since I read in the Mirror admittedly years back that he had a paying dispute with his builder who had 3 kids and his lawyers then froze the guys account and put him under so much pressure he committed suicide – Owen only gets good press so that was buried pretty fast – nasty bastard if you ask me, he wants to stay as the Club is comfortable and prestigious and near his beloved horses – if anyone thinks he gives two hoots about the badge they are a fool
Berba – too expensive wage wise for a 3/4th choice striker – with 6mn / year off the wage bill SAF could bring in a class player in mid-field and pay him well – 500k/month – too much for sitting on the bench though I think he will want to stay also as he will probably not get the same wages elsewhere and his value has decreased since he joined – I can’t see the point of him staying as we need to blood players and he is clearly on his way out
Wellbeck – more talented than people give him credit for, he is tall and quick, is still bulking out, can pick a pass and is not afraid to be on the ball. Him and Machaeda have a great understanding, calm in possession, I do not think he is that unlike Tierry Henry at that age, I think with the right focus and training he can be an Henry type player
Machaeda – disappointing, lack of composure recently, he is best with players who understand his game like Wellbeck, he is not very adaptable to new players, but he showed great finishing ability at United, he is over 6ft and fast and strong, a box player – so him or Pea – depending on height requirements though machaeda can also hit the target from outside the box
Diouf – started well on loan and hs faded away, but showed some quality, may be a bit too much like Wellbeck and Machaeda but possibly a Darren Bent style player
@ Sparkz
It depends on whether you want his job to be scoring goals or being a playmaker though I suppose, but good points!
@nosferatu..
You answered your own question..
“…when you play Berbatov and Hernandez together there’s a clear understanding, and also when you play Rooney and Hernandez together. The problem is that whichever way you look at it Rooney and Berbatov don’t fit in the same starting 11…. unless you’re going to start adopting a diamond in midfield with Rooney behind Berbatov and Hernandez…”
Berbatov: the most creative and skilful; Hernandez: the best sniffer; Rooney the most versatile and industrious.
The midfield still needs more pace and bite, though not a complete overhaul. No idea who that one person is but he must be out there somewhere.
“For the manager to leave him out of the squad, which he admitted caused him heartache, you have to wonder how much of a future at the club he sees for the Bulgarian”.
he left park out in 08 and we all know how that has turned out. wouldn’t read too much into him being left out from the squad. fergie just plays what he thinks will win.
I was a little surprised to see that owen was given a new contract. I’m with Scott on this one – I don’t think he has done enough to get another year. He needs to raise his performance level next season, here’s hoping.
Few more top goals against city next year and we will be more than happily eating our words
“Berbatov would be completely within his rights to have a strop and want to leave”
Smacks of bias. Does the same apply for the likes of Rafael, Evans, Gibson, JOS etc?
Let’s not understate how important Berba was in the League- absolutely massive contribution to #19. But how much did he contribute to us reaching the Champions League final, to warrant him throwing a strop coz he wasn’t picked for the final? (which he didn’t coz he’s a gent). Out of our 6 knockout games before the final- Berba started TWO (Marseille 1st leg & Schalke 2nd leg).
Big JOS started FOUR of our 6 knockout games (both legs vs Marseille, 2nd leg vs Chelsea, 2nd leg vs Schalke). Does he have the right to throw a strop? Park played more of a role in us reaching the final in 2008 than Berba did this year (I recall park playing both legs in the quarters vs Roma, and both legs vs Barca in the semis). Does he?
At the end of the day, as well as Berba did in the League, this was a totally different competition. It wasn’t a decision made out of spite, it was strategic. Fergie felt there was only room for one forward….and if you had to bet your life on someone to get a goal, it’d be Owen over berba all day every day, especially in Europe where Berba hasn’t scored for 2 and a half seasons.
@Sparkz
“Smacks of bias. Does the same apply for the likes of Rafael, Evans, Gibson, JOS etc”
You cannot really bracket Berbatov with the likes of Rafael, Evans, Gibson and JOS – that’s probably taking the logic of the point too far.
A more appropriate comparison is with the position of Rooney earlier in the season at a time he wasn’t playing particularly well . Rooney publicly questioned the ambition of the club, the quality of his teammates and chased more money. I would not have thought it possible to survive the wrath of SAF in such circumstances. However, Rooney was given more money and the opportunity to play his way back into form.
In contrast, Berbatov got the bench.
LAst few months ive been to Ukraine and i am really surprised with their league, especially with
Henrik Mkhitaryan from Shakhtar Donetsk ,i watched his game and quite impressed , could be a good transfer!!!!
Good post Scott. The Owen deal puzzles me a bit but think it makes sense. Think Webeck, Macheda and Diouff coming back means nothing at all regarding the first team squad. Diouff will probably go on loan to West Ham as Allardyce gave him a lot of minutes on the pitch when he was at Blackburn. Welbeck will do a season at OT after having a great season at Sunderland but I think the Macheda recall speaks volumes. I posted the other night that I still do not think as much money is available as Gill would have people realise.
I think the Modric interest could be dead in the water as Ferguson will probably offer £20 million for Modric and Daniel Levy will smugly tell UTD to come back with £35 million.
Ferguson will then drop all interest and move for Arteta for about £8 million with a season long loan for Macheda and/or Welbeck factored in.
I can see the look now on Levy’s face when UTD walk away giving him the middle finger. I love Berbatov but we should have let Levy keep upping the fee till midnight on deadline day. We need to move early this time round and not give the prick an opportunity to demand too much money for a player who despite his ability does not have a killer instinct in front of goal. Cleverley could also be a possibility if UTD moved for Rodwell, a player who I personally think is overrated but Fergie obviously has a soft spot for.
I would like to see the 6 in the photo, and add Hulk as well as Owen is usually not fit for long periods, while having Hulk and Rooney upfront will allow Chicha and Berba to be on the bench, and of course when needed can call upon the likes of Macheda or Welbeck (in cup games or injury crisis)