The biggest disappointment of Euro 2012? Seeing Ashley Young flop on the big stage. The Manchester United looked great all season long and even managed to impress at International level during the run-up to the tournament. When it came down to it, however, he just wasn’t up to the job.
It’s difficult to think of a single moment of inspiration, or any real moment where Young managed to influence play. He looked lost out on the wings. Yes, maybe the service he received wasn’t that great, but the opportunities he did have, he fluffed and the less said about his penalty the better. I’m sure the crossbar’s still reverberating even now.
It’s not like Rooney covered himself in glory either. The England forward was clearly unfit and besides his goal against Ukraine, offered precious little going forward. Manchester United’s poor showing at the Euros has led Emirates 24/7 to claim that Sir Alex Ferguson is weighing up his forward options.
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They suggest that the days of the ‘touch-and-go’ are coming to an end and that Manchester United need to adapt and make signings accordingly. Welbeck, Rooney and Hernandez can all pass and move with aplomb, but where’s that player who can offer United some aerial penetration? Where’s United’s next Ruud Van Niestelroy.
According to Emirates 24/7, United have targeted Bayern Munich’s Mario Gomez and are looking to bring him in to fulfil this role. He’s certainly strong in the air, but he’s so much more than that. He’s a real presence along the ground too. Just take the two goals he scored for Germany against Holland. They showed the depth of his goal scoring ability and his lack of fear to try something audacious.
He’s equally likely to take an audacious touch and slot it home as he is to smash it in from out wide. He scores tap ins and difficult headers. He’s a great all-round forward and would be an asset to any team. The only problem for Manchester United? He’d cost an absolute fortune!
He’s Bayern’s main man having scored an incredible 41 goals in 52 appearances this season. He’s an unstoppable goal machine and the Bundesliga side won’t want to let him go on the cheap. He cost £30m back in 2009 and his price-tag will only have grown since then. Though it’s a transfer that’s unlikely to go through, one can’t help but get excited by the sheer possibility of it. He’s a class player and would provide United with a little versatility going forward.
What’s your take? Is there any chance that Bayern would be willing to let go of their leading man?
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no chance
??