There is no doubt that Manchester United’s double feat last season was a tremendous achievement. However, as the new season moves into full swing you have to question whether the squad of the current Champions of the Premier and Champions League is weak compared to their rivals. When compared to Chelsea, for instance, it could be said that the Londoners have quality running throughout, whereas United have room for improvement.
Between the Sticks
Edwin Van Der Sar has been looking, unsurprisingly I suppose, like a 37 year-old for a while now. He still remains a great ‘keeper, but when you look at for example, Peter Cech, Pepe Reina or Gianluigi Buffon, it is tough to claim that he is up there with the best.
Ben Foster is highly recommended but his injury record is starting to undermine his chances of becoming a reliable ‘number one’ for United, Tomas Kuszczak, as could be clearly seen as Stamford Bridge last Saturday with Solomon Kalou’s goal, does not have the presence to convincingly dominate his area.
The Right Mentality
United have several squad players that play over 20 times per season, and yet would not catch the eye of other members of the exclusive ‘top four’; namely John O’Shea, Darren Fletcher and Wes Brown.
These lads do, however, give their all when picked but don’t complain when they are not. Over the length of a season this attitude helps the harmony of the dressing room and ensures that the team can rest certain players from time to time with the faith that their understudies accept their role.
While Brown has had his detractors the feat of holding down his place in the England team that beat Croatia so convincingly while playing out of position should not be underestimated.
Gary Neville and Wes Brown continue to share the right-back berth. Neville is close to retirement and has not yet made a full recovery to match fitness following his long-term injury, Wes Brown is a centre-half.
Brown showed his class when deputising for Nemanja Vidic at centre half as United played home and away with Roma then Barcelona without conceding one goal. When he was asked to return to right-back Brown crossed with his unfavoured left foot to set up a goal in the Champions League final.
Out with the Old, In with the New?
Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs are in visible physical decline, and it is arguable as to whether Anderson and Nani are ready to take the mantle as automatic starters just yet. Both show glimpses of brilliance but also inconsistency on a regular basis. In terms of ‘quality’, though, few can deny that all four are potent.
Rodrigo Possebon, the Da Silva twins and Davide Petrucci have immense potential to one day reach the top level. It will take a few years for them to become regular starters, but Rafael Da Silva has shown signs when given the chance this season that he may be the best right-back at the club.
While Chelsea are rightly lauded for their illustrious squad you can’t help but think that some of the United players would waltz into their first eleven. Ferdinand, Rooney, Ronaldo for example would fit into any team in the world while the likes of Hargreave’s (given Essien’s injury), Tevez and Berbatov are also top quality additions. Indeed with Fergie now able to call on his £30m Bulgarian and having fought off Real Madrid’s predatory advances for Ronaldo you can’t help but think they have enough talented individuals to cover the minutest of squad weaknesses.