George-Best
100+ Posts
I wanted to delay the creation of this thread until the Tevez transfer was completed and now that West Sham and MSI have finalized an out of court settlement that was approved by the PL, it appears that Carlitos will be making the move to the Theatre of Dreams.
Acquisitions:
Carlos Tevez
IMO Tevez and Rooney are two of the top five support strikers in world football. Both can play up front or in a more withdrawn role on the wings. As briefly mentioned in another thread, our forwards last year were:
1. Rooney
2. Saha – made of glass but class when healthy
3. Solskaer – a legend and still a lethal finisher but past it
4. Larsson – helped when here but not a long term solution
5. Smith – tenacious player but doesn’t fit in the new United system
The introduction of another world class forward in Tevez will significantly ease the burden on Rooney and make Saha a luxury. We are basically replacing Larsson/Smith with Tevez, which will immeasurably improve our attack. Tevez is also a great free kick taker which was something we lacked last year when Ronaldo became erratic over the last half of the season.
Owen Hargreaves
United did not possess a true DM last season. Carrick was forced to take on more defensive responsibilities than he would like. The addition of Hargreaves gives United high quality options at all of the CM positions for the first time in years: Scholes – AM; Hargreaves – DM; Carrick – DLP. Fletcher can now return to more of a utility role, in which he can move into need areas as required. Hargreaves can also fill in more than adequately at either FB position and is a great free kick taker. The only concern with Hargy is that he is injury prone. Otherwise, he will dramatically enhance United’s flexibility and will prove exceptionally valuable in Europe and against Top-4 PL sides.
Nani
Last season United’s lack of depth at CM would often lead SAF to move Giggs inside, which would create a hole on the wing that we tried to fill with Richardson or would create another hole that would require a rearrangement of our lineup. We really needed another high quality winger to provide depth behind the aging Giggs for the near term and ultimately replace him after he retires. Nani looked outstanding on the Asian tour and I expect him to receive quite a bit of PT this season, more than most prognosticators expect. The addition of Nani gives United SIX legitimate options to play in their three forward positions (Nani, Giggs, Tevez, Ronaldo, Saha, and Rooney).
Anderson
Anderson is one for the future IMO. SAF views him as a long term replacement for Scholes but I expect him to begin his career getting occasional PT on the wings until he adjusts to the English game. There is not a lot of PT available on this squad unless United are hit with several issues on the front line. As this is a 2007-2008 preview, I don’t think much more needs to be said about him.
Departures:
Smith
Smudger did not fit into United’s evolving style of play. I admire the guy’s perseverance and attitude but he just isn’t good enough.
Rossi
Most United fans were furious that we sold Rossi as he was a product of the reserves and United has a great tradition of building through its reserves. However, the acquisition of Tevez was the writing on the wall. Rossi wants to start now and that opportunity was not available to him at United. Good luck to him as we have a first option to repurchase him.
Richardson
A target of abuse for United fans. We got a great price for him and his departure is great for him and United.
Conclusions
United’s transfer dealings provide SAF with significantly more depth and flexibility. Make no mistake, United is moving towards an unconventional three-pronged attack in which the three forwards will be free to switch positions and the direction of the attack at will. With world class passers like Carrick and Scholes feeding balls into the 3-headed monster, defenses will have no idea where United are coming from and where they are going next. I have no doubt that United will have the most dynamic attack in the league and play the most sophisticated football.
What is also interesting is that United now also possesses the personnel to play a continental 4-5-1 on the road in CL games with far more success.
United’s bench is also going to be vastly improved this season and SAF will have legitimate choices to insert late in tight matches who can win the match.
Should be a great season.
Acquisitions:
Carlos Tevez
IMO Tevez and Rooney are two of the top five support strikers in world football. Both can play up front or in a more withdrawn role on the wings. As briefly mentioned in another thread, our forwards last year were:
1. Rooney
2. Saha – made of glass but class when healthy
3. Solskaer – a legend and still a lethal finisher but past it
4. Larsson – helped when here but not a long term solution
5. Smith – tenacious player but doesn’t fit in the new United system
The introduction of another world class forward in Tevez will significantly ease the burden on Rooney and make Saha a luxury. We are basically replacing Larsson/Smith with Tevez, which will immeasurably improve our attack. Tevez is also a great free kick taker which was something we lacked last year when Ronaldo became erratic over the last half of the season.
Owen Hargreaves
United did not possess a true DM last season. Carrick was forced to take on more defensive responsibilities than he would like. The addition of Hargreaves gives United high quality options at all of the CM positions for the first time in years: Scholes – AM; Hargreaves – DM; Carrick – DLP. Fletcher can now return to more of a utility role, in which he can move into need areas as required. Hargreaves can also fill in more than adequately at either FB position and is a great free kick taker. The only concern with Hargy is that he is injury prone. Otherwise, he will dramatically enhance United’s flexibility and will prove exceptionally valuable in Europe and against Top-4 PL sides.
Nani
Last season United’s lack of depth at CM would often lead SAF to move Giggs inside, which would create a hole on the wing that we tried to fill with Richardson or would create another hole that would require a rearrangement of our lineup. We really needed another high quality winger to provide depth behind the aging Giggs for the near term and ultimately replace him after he retires. Nani looked outstanding on the Asian tour and I expect him to receive quite a bit of PT this season, more than most prognosticators expect. The addition of Nani gives United SIX legitimate options to play in their three forward positions (Nani, Giggs, Tevez, Ronaldo, Saha, and Rooney).
Anderson
Anderson is one for the future IMO. SAF views him as a long term replacement for Scholes but I expect him to begin his career getting occasional PT on the wings until he adjusts to the English game. There is not a lot of PT available on this squad unless United are hit with several issues on the front line. As this is a 2007-2008 preview, I don’t think much more needs to be said about him.
Departures:
Smith
Smudger did not fit into United’s evolving style of play. I admire the guy’s perseverance and attitude but he just isn’t good enough.
Rossi
Most United fans were furious that we sold Rossi as he was a product of the reserves and United has a great tradition of building through its reserves. However, the acquisition of Tevez was the writing on the wall. Rossi wants to start now and that opportunity was not available to him at United. Good luck to him as we have a first option to repurchase him.
Richardson
A target of abuse for United fans. We got a great price for him and his departure is great for him and United.
Conclusions
United’s transfer dealings provide SAF with significantly more depth and flexibility. Make no mistake, United is moving towards an unconventional three-pronged attack in which the three forwards will be free to switch positions and the direction of the attack at will. With world class passers like Carrick and Scholes feeding balls into the 3-headed monster, defenses will have no idea where United are coming from and where they are going next. I have no doubt that United will have the most dynamic attack in the league and play the most sophisticated football.
What is also interesting is that United now also possesses the personnel to play a continental 4-5-1 on the road in CL games with far more success.
United’s bench is also going to be vastly improved this season and SAF will have legitimate choices to insert late in tight matches who can win the match.
Should be a great season.
