Ok it was only San Marino but, nevertheless, all of the Manchester United players came through England’s game on Friday with flying colours.
Danny Welbeck looks like he may well be edging Jermaine Defoe out of the starting eleven. If he hasn’t quite completed the job yet he will surely be a certain starter before long. Defoe is a deadly finisher but few would argue that the Manchester United striker has a far richer all round game than the Spurs man. His touch and link up play are superior and he is also a better player with his back to goal. Andy Carroll may have something to say about this position but the future looks bright for Danny.
The captain’s armband will surely find a permanent home around Wayne Rooney’s arm before long. And Tom Cleverley is becoming difficult to leave out. Micheal Carrick also gave an excellent performance against the minnows. He may still find himself down the pecking order when the big games come along. But for a team which patently lacks passing ability there is an obvious argument to include the former Spurs man. He’d be in my England team every time.
Ashley Young may or may not keep his place when he returns from injury. And Phil Jones has already been touted as a future England captain. But we think that Manchester United have an even more impressive young English defender in Chris Smalling.
All in all, England could easily field a side with 7 starters from Manchester United in the next year or so. With United’s recent injury record it remains to be seen how happy Sir Alex would be about this scenario but Manchester’s United’s England contingient could eventually be even more impressive than the days of the Fergie’s famous fledglings.
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