Throughout this season, the current Manchester United side have been said to have lacked that ‘sparkle’ that previous Red Devils sides, put together by Sir Alex Ferguson, have had in abundance. Fergie gave the beautiful game a golden era with the likes of David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, with this generation bringing the Scotsman various trophies and successes. Despite winning the Premier League this season, is this current crop of United stars the right group of players to maintain Fergie’s legacy?
Goalkeepers
Fergie’s goalkeepers have defined what it is to be reliable. Peter Schmeichel and the retiring Edwin Van Der Sar have been two of the best goalkeepers ever to grace the Premier League. There are no two ways about it, Sir Alex has been spoilt in this department. Manchester United have been linked with various goalkeepers since Van Der Sar announced his intentions to retire, and the front runner seems to be David De Gea of Atletico Madrid. Is the Man United manager really going to sign an eventual Premier League ‘great’ for the third time?
Why not?
Defenders
From Dennis Irwin and Steve Bruce to Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, Ferguson has always had a wealth of talent across the back four. The Barclay’s Premier League Player of the Season Vidic will continue to be a United stalwart at the back for years to come, but question marks over Ferdinand’s fitness remain. Chris Smalling has had an impressive breakthrough season, as too have the Brazilian twins Rafael and Fabio. The main issues with the defence, however, are the depth; such players as Jonny Evans don’t appear ready to make the grade consistently as of yet and the vital experience of Wes Brown is rumoured to be heading for the exit door this summer. Vidic is the only real star in a back four that over the years has been used to four world class players across it.
Midfielders
The list is endless, of talents that have come and gone, and are still playing for Manchester United in midfield. Scholes and Giggs are close to calling an end to their playing days and bringing the curtain down on the heroic treble winning side. The wingers for United definitely have the ability to maintain Fergie’s legacy though; Nani has been in blistering form all season and Antonio Valencia has been devastating on the flanks since his return from injury. The issue with the midfield is in the centre’ admittedly, Darren Fletcher has come on leaps and bounds in the last eighteen months or so, but is he really Paul Scholes’ ideal replacement? Owen Hargreaves has supposedly failed to win a new contract due to persistent injuries; Michael Carrick and Darron Gibson have been followed by media and fan criticism throughout this season. The middle of the park is definitely a cause for concern for United, the centre of the park has been the spine of the team’s success for so long, with Roy Keane and Paul Scholes being the main organ grinders.
Forwards
On the basis of this season, then yes, United have the strikers to continue bringing Fergie success. Dimitar Berbatov was joint highest league scorer, Wayne Rooney, although not as prolific as the previous season, is still, and always will be, a huge threat and Javier Hernandez had an inspired first debut season. Throw in the returning loanees of Federico Macheda, Diouf and Danny Welbeck, then the Red Devils have a very impressive and capable frontline, now and for years to come.
When all is said and done, this Manchester United side won the Premier League and has every chance of ousting Barcelona in the Champions League final this coming Saturday, so who am I to say they aren’t capable of maintaining Fergie’s legacy should the Scotsman (ever) retire.
Join my fanpage to let me know, if you think the Fergie legacy will continue and be in with a chance to win a signed football shirt of your choice from 2010/11 season. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Daniel-T-Blazer/185495024836102?ref=ts
[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’right’]
