Despite a serious injury list and a team that has regularly taken the long way around, United have still won nearly all of their fixtures this season. Without a draw in sight United have now won 10 and lost 2. Both of the defeats have come in The Premier League and may well cost them later on but there is a vibrance about Manchester United going forward since the arrivals of Shinji Kagawa, Robin van Persie and an injury free Tom Cleverley.
Many think that United’s defence is dodgy but we at soccersweep believe that this is Manchester United’s best equipped squad in years.
The two big problems at United over the last three years have been defensive injuries and and a sluggish midfield. But both of those problems have been, or soon will be, sorted.
Phil Jones is a couple of weeks from fitness. We think that Chris Smalling (also two weeks away) is an even better prospect and, with his speed and vision, he is a natural replacement for Rio Ferdinand. When those two return the absence of the towering Nemanja Vidic will be less keenly felt. Vida himself will be back in 6 weeks for the business end of the season.
As for the midfield, the arrival of Kagawa and the emergence of Cleverley has transformed a slow and predictable engine room to one filled with energy, speed and one touch creativity. In the biggest games over the last few years against Barcelona, United have got nowhere near their midfield. When they did win the ball they gave it away cheaply. We think that these days are over. United’s midfield now has the the hunger, mobility, skill and sprightliness to really get at even the best ball keepers in club football.
So, if Manchester United can start to have some luck with injuries, instead of constantly finding themselves at the top of the league of crocked stars, this could be a very good era for Fergie’s squad.
We think that this is the best eleven that United has right now.
De Gea – More error prone than Lindegaard but also more athletic. Will continue to improve
Da Silva – Sensational. Becoming a top defender and an enthralling attacking tool. Born winner
Smalling – At his fully fit best Vidic still gets the nod but Smalling may become an even better player than the Serbian in time.
Ferdinand – Yes he has lost pace and mobility but in terms of reading of the game, touch and distribution will there ever be a better centre back at Old Trafford?
Evra – Questions also asked about the continued pertinence of the Frenchman but his class is permanent and will keep the promising Buttner out for now.
Valencia – Choo choooooooo. Yes he’s like a train and uses what he’s got perfectly. Unselfish, athletic, direct, lightning quick and a great final ball. Devastating.
Carrick – So under rated. Keeps United ticking.
Cleverley – Along with Kagawa, he is exactly what the United midfield needed. Sharp, fast, skillful and bursting with energy. Would play left or centre of a slightly narrower midfield.
Kagawa – Gone is the static midfield. Kagawa can play in various positions and would play left or centre in this team.
Rooney – Fergie has played him at the top of a diamond this season to squeeze either Wellbeck or Hernandez into attack. But he’s our number 10.
RVP – This guy doesn’t muck about. Wants to win stuff and has the quality, timing, movement and finishing ability to do just that with Manchester United.
…and the rest
Anderson, Powell, Evans, Chicharito, Wellbeck, Jones, Vidic, Buttner, Scholes, Giggs, Fletcher, Young, Bebe, Henriquez
So what is your best Manchester United XI?
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yuvrajiv
Oct 24, 2012 at 2:03 pm
u 4get Evans my dear!
soccersweep
Oct 24, 2012 at 2:49 pm
Duly noted and scolded