United Post Tevez, Ronaldo. Why There's No Need For Panic In The Ranks.
It’s been confirmed this morning that Carloz Tevez is to follow Cristiano Ronaldo out of the Manchester United door this summer. After months of posturing and negotiating over turning his two year loan spell into a permanent deal, most expected this to be the outcome.
Despite what the papers might say, support for Tevez from the United faithful has not been unanimous nor unconditional. 3 months ago there’d be agreement that signing the little Argentinean would be a good move, but his conduct over the past few weeks has left much to be desired. Playing out his transfer via the press, turning every goal celebration into some personal attack on Sir Alex and the board, has left many thinking that it’s time to say ‘thanks and good luck’ regardless.
As it pans out, obviously the club did want the player to stay. A 5 year contract with one of the biggest wage packets at the club was offered, with the pre agreed fee met. The hard fact is that Tevez no longer wanted to play for Manchester United. If that is due to some feeling of personal betrayal, or simply a ridiculous offer from the other side of the city remains to be seen. Whichever, there’s no need for anyone to panic.
Dimitar Berbatov is not a bad player, and he most certainly has not had a season anywhere near as awful as some would have believed. At times the Bulgarian has shown flashes of genius that echo back to the days of Cantona. His much maligned work rate has improved massively, and on occasion he could actually do with staying further up the pitch, not tracking back. When it comes to hassling defenders he’s no Carlos Tevez, but then United already have someone who can do that, and so much more.
Wayne Rooney is, simply put, a better player. Even spending most of the last couple of years out on the wing, he’s proved to be the heartbeat of this United side. While Ronaldo took the plaudits it’s been Rooney that has not only offered pace and vision going forward, but also provided protection for the bombing runs that have made Patrice Evra widely regarded as one of the best left backs in the game. With the other two members of 2007/08’s ‘Holy Trinity’ now leaving the club, Wazza is finally the center of attention.
There’s no doubt he’s a player capable of the job. Think back to his debut for the club; a hatrick in the European Cup including a world class free kick. His form for the national side over the past year has been nothing short of astonishing. Finally he should get the chance to fill that position for his club side.
Obviously Berbatov and Rooney alone won’t replace the gap left by Tevez and Ronaldo, but it’s the latter that will really be missed. With 80 million pounds in the bank, plus whatever money was already put aside for close season spending, there’s no problem with bringing new faces in. While there’s no denying that the clubs debts will swallow up some of the cash, a manager such as Ferguson will be able to bring in new faces to freshen up the squad.
It looks nailed on that Valencia will be joining from Wigan. Obviously not a Ribery or Benzema in terms of a name, all signs point to a player that would flourish at Manchester United. Full of pace and not afraid to run at defenders, he’s only going to improve playing alongside world class players week in, week out. As for other targets, we can be fairly sure they’ll be young and of a high potential. The idea of paying a massive fee for Bayern’s French maestro seems fanciful at best.
It shouldn’t be forgotten that there are already players in the squad that may step up over the next year. Llajic joins in the new year; a player already dubbed ‘Little Kaka’, he may not break into the first team picture until the following season, but if reports are to be believed he’s more than capable of playing a big part in United’s future. Zoran Tosic and the much heralded David Petrucci should be appearing more this term, while Macheda and Welbeck are a year older, the latter looking like the first truly home grown forward player United have developed in a generation. Looking elsewhere Rafael, Fabio, Evans and Possebon all have parts to play over a season, Anderson and Nani have make or break campaigns to come, with the former starting to look the player everyone hoped he’d become at times, and there’s the vague hope that Owen Hargreaves may one day be fit enough to show Old Trafford that pigs really can fly.
United have lost two big players, neither of whom in an ideal world would have left. Up front they do look weaker, something which casts doubts over the midfield too, but on the other hand there’s money in the bank, a crop of youngsters who look the most impressive since the golden generation of Giggs, Scholes, Beckham and co, and a manager who shows no signs of giving up. While the next few seasons may not see the trophies of those just past, any thoughts that the red half of Manchester is finished are wide of the mark. Come August it’s highly likely that the picture will be all together different.
