Tuesday Reds Review FERGIE'S LAST CHANCE 5 Keys to Success
Manchester United's summer transfer troubles is going to have a devastating impact on the club's fortune, although United have just completed their sole acquisition of Michael Carrick from Spurs for 18 million pounds. On the surface, it looks like the situation is stabilizing, but I can assure you all is not as well at Old Trafford. Ever since the resurgence of Chelsea, Ferguson has been dragged into the business of trying to secure at least a 2nd place finish in the league.
The tide has turned, and it's no longer in the Red’s favour unlike in the 90's. Carrick's arrival this week marks an important milestone in the rejuvenation of the squad, yet Fergie's woes have not yet ended.
To the football fans, his squad isn't strong enough due to the lack of new faces and internal strife. In truth, Ferguson knows that his squad is not championship-quality. Everyone does. However, the puzzle lies in what Ferguson can do in reality, in order to allow the Red Devils to pose a serious title challenge this season. Below are 5 key factors.
1. Neutralise the Ronaldo crisis Ronaldo is sick of the fingers pointed at him since Rooney's red card in Gelsenkirchen. Although the 2Rs have appeared to have reconciled on the surface, I believe that the tensions are still simmering, especially since Ronaldo’s security has been threatened over the past few days. If Ferguson cannot use his combative spirit to solve this crisis, Ronaldo may be the 2nd R to leave (after Ruud van Nistelrooy) the club. Ronaldo has already stated his intentions of moving to a more preferable home in La Liga, and the impact of the departure of one of the Scot’s prized assets will be a very hard pill for the old man to swallow. It is time for Ferguson to take some concrete action and resolve the issue.
2. Replacing Keano's Void Roy Keane's surprise "retirement" via Celtic left a huge void in central midfield which no current United player could fill. The Irishmen was the spirit of the team, his ferocity fired his teammates up even though his technical powers were waning. Alan Smith was converted from a forward into a midfielder; O’Shea tried his luck at that position too. Both faltered. Although Michael Carrick gets the No. 16, he isn't the ideal replacement for Keane, as his game is the passing type instead of snuffing out any attacks and protecting the defence. I believe there's one direct replacement of the Scot’s greatest captain, and he’s Patrick Vieira. The former Arsenal player has already hinted, "Every player wants to play for a club like Manchester United at the highest level." The player is willing; it's now up to Ferguson to find enough money to bring Vieira out of the relegated Juventus.
3. The Newcomer Must Adapt Michael Carrick comes into Old Trafford with much media hype around him. United fans are building expectations of him. In the past seasons, new faces in the teams haven’t been able to perform at their best level, like Park, Vidic, and Evra and Saha. The hopes are high for the new No. 16 to convert the problematic midfield wasteland into an efficient central engine for the team. The bottomline- Carrick must justify his 18 million pounds.
4. Striker Woes After having orchestrated the departure of van Nistelrooy, Ferguson must find a quick fix to the partner for Wayne Rooney up front. As Fernando Torres is unlikely to leave for United (Ferguson is also unable to fund his arrival), the search for Rooney’s partner becomes a rather problematic area. The injury-prone Louis Saha's teamwork and unselfishness will earn him the role of main striker, but the back-up options only range from the untried (Giuseppe Rossi) to the unfit (Alan Smith). Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may be back, but the aging forward may prove more useful as an advisor to the younger players. Without any transfer funds left, it is impossible for Ferguson to purchase any forwards to boast the strike force. He has to do all he can, to ensure that the Saha-Rooney partnership works well. No goals, no wins.
5. Quick Start Essential Lastly, and most importantly, a good start to the season. United have made lacklustre starts to their past seasons, while Chelsea have wasted little time in stamping their authority and pulling away from the chasing pack in the Premiership. Neville and Giggs both reminded the club that another slow start could result in a fourth successive season without a title. Manchester United do have enough pre-season preparations and it is important for them to ripen up right at the start. Mourinho's Blues won't wait for anyone.
Replicating Chelsea's immense quality - with Andriy Shevchenko added to Didier Drogba and Hernan Crespo up front and a midfield reenergized by the arrival of Michael Ballack and Salomon Kalou - is impossible. Therefore, the Premiership title might be out of reach, but even the most humble United fan expects the club to mount a serious title challenge and vie for the second place. Ferguson had better meet the expectations; the bosses aren't that patient anymore.
