Who Can Be United’s New Talisman?

Wayne Rooney’s decision to not renew his contract has rocked the red side of Manchester. With all the speculation behind the motives of his decision and where Rooney may go next. There has been little discussion of how united will fare without him . So far this season Rooney has not played much. Yet United have still scored 18 Goals, a total bettered only by Chelsea who had back to back 6-0 wins at the start of the season.

This is not to say it won’t be a huge loss. At times  last season Rooney seemed to be single handily keeping United in the chase for major honours. Furthermore Rooney represents something more, he is a talismanic figure and the kind of player that opposition sides fear. United have always possessed such players. Giggs , Cantona, Keane, Scholes , Van Nistelrooy and Ronaldo to name a few. If  Rooney leaves, as it inevitably seems he will, they will lack this kind of figure.

I am sure Manchester United will get good money for Rooney and provided the Glazers don’t pocket it I’m sure Fergie will try to use wisely. However until then if United have any ambitions of winning the title. Or at least want to make sure they avoid the embarrassment of having City possibly finishing ahead of them they need other players too step up.

Berbatov already has and looks more like the player he was at Tottenham and Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes continue defy the ageing process. However I think the stage is now set for Nani and Anderson. The pair signed for around £30 million in 2007.

Nani is in many ways an obvious choice as a United’s next star. He has been excellent form throughout 2010. After a promising start to his United career in 2007-2008 he seemed to really lose his way. Falling out of favour with Fergie and fans alike. However he has come back strong and is beginning to fulfil his large potential. Nani seems to have earned Ferguson’s trust. It was interesting that in the big games at the end of last season it was Valencia not Nani who was dropped to put in Park Ji-Sung, who Sir Alex likes to employ in important matches.  This season Nani has been a highlight in an otherwise poor start for United, scoring 3 goals and assisting 7. Fittingly last night in the first game since the Rooney story broke, Nani was in fine form.  Although the standard of opposition was  admittedly low. He played with the confidence  of a player who knew it was his chance to be the main man, scoring an outstanding goal.

Anderson may  not be such an  obvious choice as a player who can step up and be a star. He like Nani enjoyed a fine start to his United career often starting in the centre of midfield. However he also lost his way and fell out of favour with Fergie. He has just recovered from a damaged cruciate ligament sustained against West Ham early this year.

Although he has not enjoyed the best of times at Old Trafford of late. I believe that a Nani like redemption is possible for him. An undeniably talented player, he seems to be exactly what their midfield is crying out for. United’s  midfield, with the exception of Fletcher, lacks pace and dynamism. Whatever combination of  Giggs, Scholes, Gibson and Carrick is used along with Fletcher. Anderson however  is a very positive and dynamic player. Whenever he gets the ball he is looking to move it forwards quickly . He also has the dribbling ability to move forward with the ball at his feet.  He seems to be one of those players who naturally speeds up the tempo. These abilities have not been utilised fully yet as he  has often had to fulfil a more defensive role for United.He is not without his faults of course.  Anderson has been inconsistent and has yet to play to his full potential. He also does not score enough goals. Something which is an important part of the modern attacking midfielders repertoire.

With Rooney now set to leave and Giggs and Scholes surely only having one more season left in them . The stage is set for new attacking stars to rise. Given their finances United may have to look in house and they may just find what they need in the form of Nani and Anderson. Just a year ago it looked like Manchester United would have to write off the £30 million pounds spent of Nani and Anderson as an expensive mistake made in extravagant times. Yet now in these difficult days they may prove to be United’s new talismen in a post Rooney United side.