The depth of Manchester United’s squad and the champions’ tremendous start to the season has presented Sir Alex Ferguson with something of a selection headache. One of the most impressive elements to this new-look United side has been their ability up front and whilst England striker Wayne Rooney almost picks himself for a starting berth, who is the best strike partner for him?
Ferguson has four impressive Premier League strikers to choose from at United, with Danny Welbeck, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov competing to partner Rooney in attack. Ferguson’s shift to youth in refreshing his team has given the edge to Welbeck and Hernandez over the more experienced Berbatov but the key for Fergie may be rotation.
Injuries have meant that so far Fergie’s job has been made easier. Hernandez suffered a concussion on United’s pre-season tour of the US, ruling him out of starting a game till last weekend’s win at Bolton (where he scored twice on his return). In Hernandez’s absence, young England striker Welbeck stepped up and impressed for United (scoring twice in the league) before he too suffered an injury late last month.
So far this season Ferguson has given the nod to either Welbeck or Hernandez, both impressing in United’s fluid and free-flowing style of attacking football. Welbeck, 20, enjoyed a successful loan spell with Sunderland last season and has returned to United ready to make a real impact in the first team. Out of the two Welbeck does look the more complete player, able to drop deep and hold up the ball as well as having the pace and technique to scare defences. Welbeck’s progress at United is also great news for England fans as Fabio Capello continues to search for a long-term strike partner for Rooney in an England shirt.
But whilst he only returned for his first start against Bolton at the weekend, you can’t discount the revelation of last season Hernandez. The Mexican striker, 23, scored 20 goals in all competitions in his debut season, surpassing anyone’s expectations for a striker that arrived from his hometown club Chivas de Guadalajara only a year ago. Hernandez’s predatory instincts in front of goal and movement around the box terrorised defences whilst his work rate and friendly nature made him an instant hit with the fans. With United’s free-flowing counter attack football based on pace and movement, Chicharito seems like the perfect foil for Rooney in attack and the ideal striker to get on the end of a pinpoint cross or perfectly timed through ball.
Whilst Ferguson has been rotating between Hernandez and Welbeck, the recurring theme has been Berbatov remaining on the subs bench. This seems like an amazing situation for last season’s Premier League joint top scorer but as Ferguson’s young team develops, Berbatov has been restricted to only one substitute appearance in the league this season. Arguably the Bulgarian striker is the most technically gifted of all United’s attackers but as United’s play develops around pace and lightening movement, Berbatov has seemingly been left behind. The 30-year-old has often been criticised for looking pedestrian and lazy in his style of play but you can’t under-estimate the effect the former Tottenham and Bayer Leverkusen striker can have on a game.
But with four exciting strikers in the squad, at least one is likely to miss out. Rotation amongst United’s busy schedule both domestically and in Europe will mean that all four will get some games, but unfortunately the opening four games of this season seem to indicate that Berbatov, a player who only signed three years ago for over £30 million, will be the one to spend more time on the bench. Whilst he would still provide an excellent substitute option along with the young but slightly inexperienced Welbeck, the movement, pace and goals of Hernandez should get the nod as United’s new look side try to retain their title.
Written by Jenny Kerwood for FootballFancast.com. Who do you think should partner Rooney? If you want to read more of my bite size, 140 character views and thoughts follow me on Twitter @jennyk5
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