Top of the Premier League, FA Cup Semi-Finalists and Champions League Semi-Finalists isn’t bad for a Manchester United team which has been called, ‘the worst Sir Alex has ever had’. I think the most impressive thing about United this season has been their ability to grind out results, especially in Europe and especially away from home where they are still yet to concede a single goal.
With Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand back together in the centre of defence, United are a completely different side. Chris Smalling has done fantastically well and will be a fine player for United in the years to come but he isn’t Rio, not yet anyway. Supplemented with Patrice Evra and the Da Silva twins in the full back positions, United are well served in defence for the next few seasons at least.
Michael Carrick has been massively under-rated this season by many who don’t appreciate just what kind of job he is being asked to do. Nemanja Vidic has been recently quoted as saying that he has been one of United’s most important players this season. At times his passing has let him down for someone who has the kind of ability he has on the ball and he doesn’t score anywhere near enough goals, but he was become a fine holding midfielder, not in the art of tackling but in the art of interception and breaking up the play.
As well as United have done this season, and it may bring one or two trophies, investment is needed in the summer and here are the four players to breathe new life into United.
Manuel Neuer (goalkeeper) – He’s been the best goalkeeper in the world for a while now, a lot of people in Germany have gone as far as to say he is the reason Schalke are in the Semi Finals of the Champions League and his performance against United last night further enhanced his glowing reputation. A possible Bayern Munich deal has surfaced, but United will surely keep tabs.
Phil Jones (defender/midfielder) – Superstar young defender Jones is sure to move on this summer with Blackburn desperately close to the drop zone and relegation a big possibility. Strong, quick and agile, he can play in central defence or as a holding midfielder, may be seen as the ideal long term partner for Chris Smalling.
Gareth Bale (Midfielder) – Although the second half of his season has been plagued by injuries, his performances before Christmas has alerted all of the top European clubs. If Spurs miss out on the Champions League this season, he may move on and would certainly fancy linking up with his idol Ryan Giggs at United.
Wesley Sneijder (Midfielder) – With Inter having a poor season after winning the double last year, the Dutch midfielder would fancy a move to the Premier League. He would provide United with the central midfield craft that they have been lacking this season and would be the ideal replacement for Paul Scholes who looks set to retire at the end of the season.
Submitted by Everything Football
