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Manchester United’s Midfield Problem

It has been well documented that Manchester United need a replacement for the retired Paul Scholes. Scholes would be a huge loss to the team’s performance on and off the field. He is an exceptional talent, and Sir Alex is quite right in saying that Scholes is a “one-off” and is irreplaceable. He even went on to place him with the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta. There are many options for the manager to deal with this latest problem… and given how he has chosen revolution rather than evolution for his rebuilding programme this off-season, he might surprise us with a spectacular capture!

Sir Alex has already brought in three new bloods: Phil Jones, perhaps a future partner in the centre of defence with Chris Smalling, once Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic call it a day. Ashley Young, a top class winger who’s proved himself for Aston Villa over the years and starting to hit the ground running for England as well. The manager may have an option to play him up the middle, given United’s abundance in the wide midfield positions. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, David de Gea has been charged with the phenomenal task of succeeding Van der Sar.

Will Sir Alex dip again into the transfer market to solve the problem?

It is known that Sir Alex Ferguson has a strong interest in Dutch and Inter Milan playmaker Wesley Sneijder, and who could blame him. Sneijder has the ability to play a pass, but he also has the exceptional vision to see “eye of the needle” stuff as well. Plus, he has an absolute hammer of a right foot and is also a threat from free-kicks, something that United have been lacking ever since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure to Real Madrid. However, Sneijder won’t come easily for Sir Alex, as he won’t exactly cost a few dollars and that he won’t be allowed to top Wayne Rooney’s weekly wage of 360,000 pounds. Sneijder appears to be settled at Inter, despite the club not backing up a treble winning season.

Samir Nasri and Luka Modric appear to be either heading elsewhere or staying at their respective clubs. To be honest, I cannot envisage Nasri in United’s formation, or even wearing United’s shirt! In my very own opinion, he’d do best if he’d stay at Arsenal. Modric is my favoured of the three so far mentioned, as he is used to playing in a 4-4-2 and can slot straight in alongside a holding midfielder, whilst branching out to United’s wingers. However, he’s angry at Tottenham’s chairman for not letting him complete a move to Chelsea and appears unsettled.

Does the solution come within?

Scholes himself has said that the current United squad has enough midfielders to step up to fill his role. The holding role most definitely held down by either Darren Fletcher or Park Ji-Sung, the slightly more advanced central midfield position is up for grabs:

Michael Carrick passing, really it has to be said, is absolutely perfect. He is like a metronome the way he can dictate the tempo of a match. After the departure of 5 players over the age of 30, Carrick has suddenly become a senior member of the squad and would most definitely take the chance with both hands. Plus, he did show signs of form when he filled in towards the end of last season.

Anderson desperately needs to justify his price tag this season. He went to England with a huge reputation on his shoulders, but has been dogged by injuries during his spell at United. He possesses ounces of talent, and when on song, he commands form. He’s put goals in his games now, having broken his duck just last season!

Darron Gibson is a proven performer for United. I think it is unfair for some fans to call him “useless”. He has been seen playing stupendous through balls (what about the one for Antonio Valencia’s goal against Schalke?). He has a thunderbolt of a shot, and a very consistent striker of the ball.

Tom Cleverley, in my opinion, along with Jack Wilshere, are the successors of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in the England team. He excelled on loan at Wigan last season, and despite his tender age, his talent is recognised and could be given a few opportunities by the manager.

This is the team I hope that will run out for United against West Brom on the first day of the new season:

David de Gea, Rafael da Silva, Nemanja Vidic (C), Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, Antonio Valencia, Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, Ashley Young, Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez.

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