Man U

Manchester United: New left-back arrival?

We are pretty sure that this is Fabio

soccersweep yesterday proposed that if Manchester United were to spend another major chunk of cash before the end of the transfer window, it would be on a winger.

We received a huge number of responses from Manchester United fans, and neutrals alike, many arguing that the weakest area of the squad was clearly at left-back.

Whether substantial or not, rumours have been rife all summer about Manchester United making a move for Leighton Baines of Everton. When rumours persist, as they did with this one, you tend to feel that there is some truth to the story. But while it’s certainly true that Patrice Evra is the only established left-back at United, we think that Sir Alex Ferguson may stick rather than twist for now.

For me, Evra has been the best left-back in The Premier League for the last 5 years. Many would say that Chelsea’s Ashley Cole trumps him but, while both have great athleticism, Evra has better technique going forward. He’s a truly top class player.

Indeed Evra has been a main foundation in Manchester United’s most successful period ever – and he never gets injured. So Fergie really hasn’t had to worry about that area of the park for some time.

At 31 Evra is in the Autumn of his career but still has much to give for at least a couple more years. And I believe that SAF already knows who will succeed the Frenchman. Not 27 year old Baines, who would have no resale value and provide United with exactly the same problem in a few years. No, Fergie has firmly pencilled in recently loaned out youngster Fabio Da Silva for his team of tomorrow.

Both the Da Silvas still have an error or erratic moment in them. But Rafael has been allowed to develop his game much more on the right, where noone has nailed down a place since the days of John O’Shea, Wes Brown and Gary Neville. So while Rafa is ironing out the mistakes, Fabio hasn’t been getting the requisite game time to do the same.

Nonetheless, Fabio is Fergie’s man in the long term. Regardless of injuries, you don’t play a 19 year old in the Champions League final, out of position and against Barcelona, if you don’t rate that player highly.

So we think that Fergie would be apprehensive about bringing in a 27 year old with Fabio so close to Premier League competency. Manchester United may have to throw Phil Jones, Chris Smalling or a youngster in there a few times next season but he also knows that Fabio will gain vital experience on loan at QPR.

Make no mistake Fabio is Manchester United quality. And Fabio is coming back to United. This is why we believe that SAF will refrain from splashing the cash on Leighton Baines.

Follow us on Twitter @soccersweep10

26 Comments

26 Comments

  1. Stretty Dave

    Aug 17, 2012 at 7:26 am

    Quite concerning that if Pat is in the ‘Autumn’ of his career we’ve evidently just paid £20 odd million on someone in the late summer of his!

  2. Lawrence

    Aug 17, 2012 at 7:30 am

    Agree lad fabio is a talent

    • Anonymous

      Aug 17, 2012 at 11:41 am

      i agree with u he has a great future

  3. bobdigi

    Aug 17, 2012 at 7:42 am

    fair enough if Fabio is long-term first choice, but from the current squad Evra won’t have reliable cover this season and Fabio won’t have reliable cover going forward. Baines might not be the solution, but we could still do with a 2nd choice left-back.

  4. REno

    Aug 17, 2012 at 7:46 am

    While young Fabio is talented; he’s the one for the future. Currently, we need to solve the full-back issue as Evra has been not tat consistent or so last season. Despite the fact that he doesn’t get injured, off the field issue has caused him some problems and counter-contribute to his performance on the pitch. Would like to see if Fergie could get a loan deal for any of established left-back for a season as cover to Evra. Larsson was indead an excellent loan deal by Fergie. Hope to see the same.

  5. kuldip

    Aug 17, 2012 at 7:50 am

    fabio nd rafael at right and left back thats the future. A midfielder will be welcomed though…RVP rocks!!!!

  6. pasang

    Aug 17, 2012 at 7:58 am

    Niel taylor is a much younger and cheaper option and we should sign isko, we could get him at a bargain prize from malaga. RVP! Rvp! rVp!CHEERS!!!!!!

  7. opus michael

    Aug 17, 2012 at 8:14 am

    united should go for Baines and ericksen wil complete the squad

  8. Steve

    Aug 17, 2012 at 9:49 am

    Scary to think that Utd could be relying on two english midfielders Carrick and Cleverly deemed not good enough for a shocking International team.SCARY.

    • Optimist

      Aug 17, 2012 at 2:16 pm

      Carrick was one of the three best central midfielders in the premier league last season (with Yaya toure and David Silva, and Ramires from March onwards getting an honourable mention). Hence your comment should read: England judging Carrick not good enough for years despite his impressive, title-winning performances. SCARY. The fault lies with English national managers.

      Picking Parker ahead of Carrick reflects the fact that the English game values someone running to where they’re supposed to be, rather than someone who’s already there.

  9. Muofunanya Arinze

    Aug 17, 2012 at 10:41 am

    Left back or not on like car & cleverley don’t focus on them becouse they ar not good enough to share, so utd surpose to sign an experience defensive m.fielder

  10. Ak

    Aug 17, 2012 at 11:06 am

    If we dont get any left back to replace patrice evra then we should go we young player robbie brady can be our G.bale he is an midfield and can play in left back also

  11. Shaun

    Aug 17, 2012 at 11:07 am

    Cleverley is like a 30m signing if he keeps fit. Quite possibly one of the best CM’s in the EPL – you will all see. 4-2-3-1 formation a the way this season. We have Cleverley, Carrick, Ando, Scholes, possibly Jones and Fletcher to battle it out for the two midfield spots – more than enough quality there – stop panicking!!!!!
    Valencia, Rooney, Kagawa for the attacking 3, with Nani, Young and Welbz coming in and out.
    RVP to spearhead the attack with Chicharito his alternative.
    The squad is very well balanced and we have Tyler Blackett who in my opinion is a decent back up left back for Evra!!!!!

  12. Ak

    Aug 17, 2012 at 11:11 am

    If Robbie brady want to get chance in first team squad then he must take example of tottenham player bale by playing that position he get regular place and show his talent that he can also play in midfield also

  13. Richard

    Aug 17, 2012 at 2:10 pm

    Couldn’t agree with your analysis more!

  14. steven ghain

    Aug 17, 2012 at 3:05 pm

    manutd vim: LB options, evra,evans,brady,.. DMF_ Jones,fletcher,(sign strootman/joao pedro of brazil).. CMF_ davide petrucci, turnicliffe (all academy gr8 talentz).. United’s got a brighter future..

  15. steven ghain

    Aug 17, 2012 at 3:11 pm

    want news about… Matt moller daehli, angelo henriquez, davide petrucci

  16. Christopher Chisom

    Aug 17, 2012 at 4:30 pm

    yes we need a left back.Jordi Alba would have been a nice signing but since we didn’t sign him we have to look for another option. Please SAF we dont need to feature Micheal Carrick on our starting line up this season because I believe that Tom Cleverly is a much better option due to his ability to read and undestand a match while Carrick always slows down the game and make wrong passes please Sir we should consider another person g our starting line up.

  17. Markcrixsus

    Aug 17, 2012 at 4:40 pm

    Man u curent squard nw are ok but my major problem nw is dat evra no doult is one of d best left back in d world nt dat he is no longer consistent in his position but 4 the fact dat he is at his climax so fergie shud pls help atleast get one more left back to alway asist him when eva he gasses out. Rag til death.

  18. Cornely vicent

    Aug 17, 2012 at 4:51 pm

    Yah is true,its better to wait Fabio than to spend alot of money for making transfer of Baines at the end of day Man u will not solve the problem,so Baines is not a gud replacement 4 Evra,hence Man u we have to wait Fabio.

  19. Crap Tie Vera

    Aug 17, 2012 at 5:13 pm

    If you play a footballer on championship manager and his ‘form’ arrow is blue and pointing down you wouldn’t play him unless you were totally desperate. Well this is exactly what has happended at OT for the last 2 seasons. Evra has just been shocking at left back, what the hell happened to his positional sense and his passing? His favourite trick is forgetting to take the ball with him when he’s off on a run up the wing and leaving the flank open, or drifting into the centre mid when under the cosh, All too often gets undone. The fact there is no real cover and he doesn’t get injured has meant he hasn’t been challenged for his position. Left back needs bolstering. Baines is more than adequate.

  20. stephen

    Aug 17, 2012 at 9:07 pm

    Evra is a gud experience left back with aggressive playing time but fergie has to buy another player who will fill the gap during the absents of him.we are having fabio but he is inexperience to fill the gap there

  21. Emmanuel Azuani

    Aug 17, 2012 at 9:22 pm

    Fabio was a good talented player but he need to len more to fit into man u left back.

  22. hasnock

    Aug 17, 2012 at 9:53 pm

    Evra is still strong guys! Its just time to see Fabio come to united rescue . No doubt we have a better team !
    RVP and Rooney means more goals up front and then Vidic can cover up the defence . start ..man united 98%
    better over other manshitty . Bank on that , its high time Arsenal, Man city and Chelsea sugar duddies save their breath.

  23. Bobs ur uncle

    Aug 18, 2012 at 2:09 am

    No one will be brought in. If evra plays his unbelievable 45-50 games a season again, your looking at someone filling in for max 10 maybe 15 further games. Back up for evra will be Evans. Giggs, Blackett and Raphael have all also been played in there. Hell worst case I can see fergie using Rooney in there and you all know he’d do a hell of a great job for a couple of games.

  24. Sonny nwankwo

    Aug 18, 2012 at 5:09 am

    The team is 90% ready. Jst a box 2 box player 2 make us stronger.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Soccersweep is a site dedicated to the beautiful game. We may not always be right, but we aim to offer integrity and insight, reflecting on the modern game in all its glory, greed and grandeur.

92 Languages!

Contact

Copyright © 2016 Soccersweep. Soccersweep is based in Clapham South, London, UK.

To Top