The midfield problem is something that we’ve been complaining about for years. Ever since Keano left you may say that was when it began, but let me tell you that it’s been needed since before late 2005.
At this stage Roy Keane was 34 years old at this stage with his legs gone and a dodgy hip, yet the gaffer refused to buy or else bought naively? Djemba – Djemba? I’ll let him away with the Kleberson buy because in fairness the guy was a star performer and World Champion at the time, but was it a half – hearted attempt, I wonder? And if I’m honest I’d have Roy in that condition in this United team no doubt. Would we have conceded six against City with Roy in the side? No chance.
Ok so Carrick came in for 18 million and did a job, I suppose. He hasn’t set the world alight and although he can pass the ball, he can’t do it under pressure and prefers to pass it to Vidic or one of the lads at the back. Much too cautious to shine at the theatre of Dreams. His best season was his first when he was more composed, scored a couple and played a bit further up the park. Last season he performed well in the Champions League, where he was used by the boss in a sweeping role – his energy levels and lack of responsibility however prevent him from doing it against a top side such as Barca or Madrid. Alex Ferguson is much too intelligent to not have noticed this and thus should have replaced him again. Fergie knows this now and as you can see by Carrick’s bit part role this year that he is very much out of favour. I don’t believe he was Keane’s replacement though. He came in to replace Scholes and failed.
Darren Fletcher – a man for the big games. I have great respect for Fletcher and love his energy. Once his fitness levels come back he will perform again. Incredibly underated and was most definitely a loss in both Champions League final defeats, but still nowhere near Roy Keane. These two guys don’t show for the ball enough. Fletcher although he does try has not got the natural ability to pass and tries a spectacular too often. The great thing about Keane was that he quite simply almost always found a red shirt, the same with Scholes. Although the latter had a greater range.