In the dying moments of 2011-12 English Premier League season Manchester City broke the hearts of every Manchester United fan with Sergio Aguero’s dramatic last minute winner, or in this case, a heartbreaking last kick. Manchester is blue for now... but it won’t be long to see them red again.
Manchester United endured a disastrous season. Few players suffered loss of form and we were knocked out of Europe, knocked out of the FA cup by Liverpool. Plus, being bashed twice by City was humiliating. We also dropped points against lower teams and inconsistencies proves the major turning point in United’s downfall this season.
Despite their frustrating campaign, Manchester United did not look back and swiftly moved for Shinji Kagawa, a huge international sporting figure in Japan and arguably Bundesliga’s best player. Kagawa can play as an attacking midfielder, which in my opinion will add sparks to United’s midfield, an area where united looked so vulnerable last season. He has the flair, the dynamism and the most important, much coveted sparks in the middle of the park. Although he’s not the biggest name in football; he has the potential to be great.
With having Nani, Ashley Young, Ryan Giggs and Antonio Valencia will provide countless ammunition from the flanks; United surely need someone to engineer the team’s attack from the middle of the park. Kagawa is the type of player who can launch a pulsating counter-attack, with his quick feet, a hawk-eye vision, this will provide so much to the likes of Wayne Rooney, Hernandez, and Welbeck. Kagawa natural position is the number 10 role, where Wayne Rooney filled in last season. Next season will probable see Wayne Rooney return to his natural complete forward role, where in 2009-10 he flourished with 34 goals. With Welbeck and Hernandez will be vying for the goal poachers role. Kagawa could be the key man for united to take back their title from Manchester City’s grasp.
Next season line-up probably sees Nani occupying the left winger role; Carrick/Fletcher and Kagawa in the middle; and the flamboyant Antonio Valencia on the right. Quite a strong midfield quartet should Sir Alex Ferguson to use his favorite 4-4-2 formation to challenge for the title and let’s just hope that Manchester United endure an injury-free season. In Nick Powell, is an unearth gem bought from Crewe Alexandra, he’s a trequarista, in the same mould with Kaka, Totti, and Zidane. With the likes of Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, and Rio Ferdinand to help him mature Old Trafford could have a legend in the making. Let’s just leave that to next season to see if he could perform on the bigger stage. Now that leaves Manchester United another two positions to improve. The left side of defence, Evra hasn’t done well enough, he’s isn’t the same player he was. United need someone to cover his position: with Fabio went to QPR for a season long loan. Farming him out on loan is an advantage for United and Fabio himself to gain experience in a new surrounding, it will also offer a different challenge. Sir Alex made a wise decision to let him play for QPR. What united need is a left wing back someone is very strong in defending, fast back-tracking, great at positioning, quick on counter attack, wonderful crosser of the ball and most definitely someone influential. Well, Leighton Baines of Everton F.C seems a perfect replacement for the aging Evra as he has every character to be a united player. He has the heart of the champions.
Now, the last vacant position is the main striker or another central midfielder. If Hernandez and Welbeck can’t produce dazzling goal scoring form for the whole season, we may need to look elsewhere. A towering striker, a lethal finisher and someone who can spearhead the attack. Berbatov proves that he can’t do it, to name a few, Llorente of Club Athletic, Falcao of Atletico Madrid or even Robert Lewandowski of Dortmund, these three players is impressive in finishing, they can play in 4-5-1 formation, 4-4-1-1 formation, with the former formation is more likely to be used against impressive teams.
If Sir Alex is satisfied with his strikers he probably will add another central midfielder, to ease the job for Paul Scholes, who still can provide, but he’s no longer the same player he was 7, 8 years ago. A deep lying playmaker in the form of Joao Moutinho or Luka Modric will be the final piece of Manchester United’s jigsaw. What Manchester United lacked last season was creativity from central midfield; the return of Paul Scholes mid-season last year proves what was missing. Someone who can dictate the tempo of the game. Both Moutinho or Modric seem like the perfect fit for united but the question is, will Sir Alex sign either of them? If he doesn’t, the pressure falls to Michael Carrick, Manchester United’s best central midfielder from last season. But, everyone knows that he’s not at Xavi or Pirlo’s standard. Whatever it is, only Sir Alex knows what’s best for his team. Every United fan will be itching to see how the young players progress.
We will see how Manchester United squad in 2012-13 fare. With Vidic and Fletcher coming back in the team after their long layoff: they will provide the maturity, experience, influence and faith to this new Manchester United side. De Gea and Anders Lindegaard already forming as good goalkeepers, with Rio Ferdinand as himself again. Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Rafael Da Silva, and Jonny Evans will all show their potential. United final lines looks steady and rock solid. In the midfield area, Anderson could still have his final audition at Old Trafford and Tom Cleverley is showing promises after his debut season. United’s strongest point is their wingers and surely everyone would love to see the best of Nani and Valencia again, Ashley Young too If he banished his horrible Euro 2012 form. Of the United strikers, Hernandez is a lethal finisher, he can score goals at any moment, given, if he stays fit. Danny Welbeck, who Sir Alex has high hopes for is turning into one of the best strikers in English football, and there’s Wayne Rooney who is the main protagonist at the Theatre of Dreams and who will carry the torch to fire United to glory.
This United side is getting closer becoming a formidable team. They’re a team in transition, every Manchester United fan would love to see their beloved red half of Manchester at their brilliant best again and dominate Europe. If Sir Alex really means business, he will do something in the transfer market to get the best players there is to improve his side. Little doubt that he will try to put Manchester City back down to earth and became the top dog in Manchester again. The 2012-13 season could see Manchester United return to their best form and clinch their 20th title.
We hope, and pray.
Great thoughts. Will we play Carrick and Kagawa together in CM roles?
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