This article is a re-post and merge of my now defunct OurFootballBlog football writing blog from 2010 – 2011.
Nothing wrong with starting a post with a bit of classic British television, but whilst the reference is comical my point is deadly serious. The reliance Manchester United are putting on the older players in the squad is starting to become quite concerning, Van Der Sar, Neville, Giggs and Scholes have all played consistent parts in the season just gone and in many cases relied on more than ever and this reliance is a worrying trend that shows no sign of abating in the short term.
Dads Army
Let’s have a quick look at the age of these players:
- Edwin Van Der Sar: 39
- Gary Neville: 35
- Paul Scholes: 35
- Ryan Giggs: 36
Traditionally English football has been seen as a difficult game for older players to succeed in, there’s no doubt all 4 players here keep themselves fit and haven’t performed particularly badly this season either, my problem isn’t really with their form – providing they keep the standards high then they still deserve their place, my concern is more with the reliance on these players with little support behind them. In fact – let’s see who’s suffering as a result of these players:
- Ben Foster: 27
- Fabio Da Silva: 19
- Anderson: 22
- Erm… Erm…
This morning arguably the best Engish goalkeeper has all but sealed a move to Birmingham City after missing out on the World Cup squad – at 27 with the impressive Joe Hart nipping in the squad, things look bleak for this once young talent that looked like a real bright star for English football. The impressive form of Van Der Sar has all but halted his development as a footballer. I’ve listed Fabio Da Silva next and it’s probably unfair – he’s not quite at the level his twin brother is yet, but if Neville wasn’t still fighting for that right back role you’d have expected Fabio to get the opportunity to fill in for his brother when the need arose, with Evra firmly occupying his more natural left back position I fear for the development of the Brazilian. On to another Brazilian – Anderson promised so much when he arrived and a quick search on YouTube shows why, a stunning goal scorer before the pressure at Old Trafford set in. The only solution for this is for regular performances and some faith to be shown in him – Scholes has been too easy a fall to guy for Ferguson and Anderson is suffering as a result – let alone Gibson who, with every appearance grows in stature – is he another who’ll end up tempted away? Lastly we have, well we don’t have anyone, Giggs is not just in the side because of his performances, but he’s also there because there’s noone else to fill the gap and it doesn’t look like there’s any plans to replace him – that’s very worrying.
Don’t Panic, Nobody Panic!
This morning both Alex Ferguson and David Gill are yet again trying to calm growing fears, both have suggested there will be no flurry of signings and both say the money is available – unfortunately this is looking less and less the case with each missed opportunity for new signings. No one asked for the whole £80 million received for Ronaldo to be spent, but they spent less than half of that on relatively unknown players and from the assessment this morning only one more addition should be expected. So the grand plan to build on this years relative disappointment is to? Stick with what we have, offer new contracts to the old players and bring three young, unknown players in none of the positions where we have aging players occupying first 11 spots. This final player of the three surely has to be a left sided midfielder that can also play further forward to give them the flexibility of either Valencia or Nani on the right as conditions require, but the way things are at Old Trafford lately I wouldn’t be surprised to see this final signing disappear into the ether.
Can they win the war?
As things stand today in post season, I think the two kids coming in, along with one more signing is plainly not enough – even if said signing is £60 million worth of flagship footballer – which it wont be. Next season Chelsea will be stronger with the Russians new found interest and all of a sudden United look like the older side, the only saving grace here may be the development of the clubs around them, Arsenal may struggle again if Fabregas leaves, Liverpool have three years of rebuilding to do as a minimum. However, City, Spurs and Villa will all strive to improve once more and I wouldn’t be surprised to see two new teams established in the top four next year. My bet is already going on Chelsea next year and one more signing at Old Trafford wont change that – they need three or four more in key positions across the pitch.
