Manchester United’s Central Midfield Isn’t The Only Problem

Raphael December 12, 2013 0 Comment

For about 5 years or so Manchester United have evidently been the top dogs of the English premier league wining 3 out of 5 Barclay’s premier league trophies, a league cup, FIFA club world cup title and reaching the champions league final 3 times in 4 seasons. But during that time united have struggled to secure a creative threat in the middle of the park to replace Paul Scholes and to help out Michael Carrick as the ginger assassin was edging towards the end of his career. United have tried to replace Scholes during that time period by bringing in players such as Owen Hargreaves and Anderson but it didn’t quite work out for the red devils. However, during that time period united had a firing force in Cristiano Ronaldo, scoring 42 goals in one season and 26 goals the following season. After United sold Ronaldo to the galaticos for a world record breaking (at the time) £80 million in 2009 united have not completely flourished out wide. Yes, it is an extremely difficult job to replace a player like Ronaldo but united have lacked real class out wide.

Since 2008, United have bought in a number of wide players such as Ashely Young, Antonio Valencia and Wilfried Zaha. United have also bought in natural number 10 players and utilised them on the wings such as Shinji Kagawa and Adnan Januzaj. All these players are all talented in different aspects hence the reason why they play for United but they have not shown real class or consistency when being played out wide. In terms of consistency and class united should look at players such as Marco Reus, Angel Di Maria, Pedro, Alexis Sanchez etc.

We look at the natural wingers that united have and we look at Antonio Valencia, Nani and Ashely Young. All good, talented players in their own right but haven’t showed real consistency at the time they have been at united. Valencia for example who impressed at Wigan and helped keep them help during the time he was there was bought by united for £16 million which is a fair amount for the Ecuador international. But since the time he has been at united he has only had one outstanding season in 2011/12 in which he won United’s player of the year. Since that he hasn’t shown the great form that he showed in the 2011/12 season. Nani has had a similar problem although you could say he has natural talent and flair than Valencia. Nani was bought from Sporting Lisbon for £25.5 million and was compared to Ronaldo in his early years at United due to their similarities. However since Ronaldo left United in 2009, Nani has not lived up to his expectations due to inconsistency in his game. He did enjoy his best spell at united in the 2010/11 season where he managed to score 1 goals and assisted 15 goals. However, just like Valencia, Nani has not managed to carry on that form due to injuries and him not performing consistently when he gets the chance to. Same with that boy young. Remember him? Shined so brightly at aston villa, had a couple good months for united and from then on was known for his diving ablitity rather than his footballing ability. During his time at United, he has frustrated the things on a number of occasions due to poor performances and since Moyes has come in, Young has struggled to reclaim a first team place and show the form he showed in the early months for the red devils. There is also wilfried zaha who is stuggling to get a place on the substitute’s bench for United. Since Zaha came in from his boyhood club Crystal Palace he has only made 2 appearances for United and has failed to make an impact in both of those appearances although he did have a good pre-season with united, but what does that matter? Many united fans think he should be played more to add abit of flair the wing have been missing . Others think he should go on loan for experience and that he is not ready for such a club like united just yet.

Then you have natural forward players like Shinji Kagawa, Danny Welbeck and Adnan Januzaj that have all been utilized on the flanks this season. This is showing that there are a lack of quality being shown on the flanks if these players have to be used on the wings. We all know what kagawa can do when he is being played in the hole, however since Rooney is occupying that role and occupying it well, Kagawa will have to do on the left. Its a shame because kagawa on the left side of the wing limits his ablity. Same with welbeck. Scored 12 goals for united playing with Rooney in the 11/12 season but since then, he has only managed to score 4 goals in a year for united and thats due to him playing on the wing. There is a bright spark however for uniteds wing in Adnan Januzaj. The 18 year old has flourished for united producing a number of good performance and showing why he should be considered as a one to watch. Like I said, United’s main problem on the wing is a lack of goals, creativity and consistency. All of the wingers at Manchester United need a solid run of games to show what they are about because its no good being played in one game and then dropped the next which is what the likes of Nani and Kagawa are being used as. Bit part players which always decreases a players confidence a tad bit.

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