Man U was defeated by arch rivals and League One leader Leeds United in their recent FA Cup match. Leeds didn’t park the bus in front of the goal protecting a lead as lower tier clubs usually do in such fixtures but rather they outplayed the Red Devils in the FA Cup fixture knocking Sir Alex out of the grand old tournament earlier than ever before. While Leeds was value for the win, Man U’s real problem was their depleted defence and perhaps more importantly their weak midfield. While a manager can’t do much about the number of injuries, many fans are blaming the gaffer for deploying a toothless midfield with an out of position young player. Sir Alex, on the other hand, seems to think a 7 minute injury time would have been sufficient to overcome these problems.
Some commentators think Ferguson wanted to rest his best midfielders for the League Cup semi-final scheduled for Wednesday against Man City – too bad he couldn’t forecast that game’s postponement on account of winter weather conditions. Maybe Fergie merely thought this would be a good opportunity to expose younger players to a massive rivalry that would be a good test and a growing experience for his young bench warmers. Oh well, live, learn and perhaps exploit the current transfer window if you can.
On that note, Manchester United’s directors are reportedly consolidating the club’s debt by way of a 600 million pound bond issue. Is this the type of activity indicative of a mid season spending spree to capture Permier League and/or Champions League trophies? Unlikely. It seems more indicative of a mid season spending freeze or perhaps even a prelude to a sale? Many Man U fans feared such possibilities when the Galzer family purchased the club with club loans. Out of curiosity whatever happened to the Cristiano Ronaldo windfall? Interest payments maybe?
One way to address a shortage of funds is to sell a current player from a position of strength. Unfortunately, defence is not an area of depth for Man U and there are indications that their star central defender Nemanja Vidic wants away from Old Trafford in favour of Spain, to the Bernabeu to be precise (though such comments are attributed to Vidic’s wife concerning the relative weather conditions of north-western England compared to sunny Madrid). While Real could certainly do with a central defender of Vidic’s caliber can Man U do without him and have a hope of winning the Premier League? Is Sir Alex game for another forced sale to Los Merengues? And is the this year’s Canadian style English winter doing anything to help the cause? Vidic says he is committed to the Red Devils but anyone who followed the 2007-2009 CR9 saga is sure to recollect similar statements from the tricky winger.
Speaking of sales, Leeds United Jermaine Beckford is out of contract in 6 months time and is indicating he wants out of Elland Road. He is Leeds’ leading scorer (20 goals in 28 appearances this season) and is an integral part of their current success – this season Leeds is in a great position to achive promotion to the Championship. The one time Champions League outfit is considering selling their in form striker rather than lose him for nothing at the end of the season. However, if they can’t replace him will the Whites promotion hopes be dashed? And will such a sale ruin any chances of further FA Cup upsets and of course pocketing more revenue? Intriguing decisions will be made at Leeds in the near future. Hopefully they’ll make the right decisions and Ken Bates’ club will soon rejoin the Premier League where they can line up regularly against Manchester United and be properly disliked once again.
Don’t be surprised if Man U has a long hard season. The signs of this have been sown since the beginning of the season. I have a hunch Sir Alex will walk away at the end of this season. he has won every title there is to be won. http://bobbygee.wordpress.com/