Oct 10, 2004 07:33 PM
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(Updated Oct 10, 2004 07:34 PM)
26th May, 1999. Stand-in captain Peter Schmeichel and illustrious manager Alex Ferguson lift a 30lb tub of metal over their heads as a gaggle of overjoyed teammates look on from behind. That was a long time ago.
The time when Manchester United were a force. Now, sadly (for me, as a United fan) they are no longer the force they once were. I am going to lead the Sherlock Holmes-like investigation into the downfall of Manchester United Football club.
Goalkeepers. Ever since the legend that was Peter Schmeichel left Old Trafford, the goalkeeper shirt has been filled by ten different players (Bosnich, Van Der Gouw, Culkin, Barthez, Rachubka, Taibi, Goram, Carroll, Ricardo and Howard). Many of these have been proven to be solid enough but prone to the odd error. This has to stop. Manchester United must be strong and resolute at the back and this involves the goalkeepers as well. Alex Ferguson must, this summer, or better still... this winter, invest in a top-quality keeper such as Antti Niemi or Brad Friedel. Confidence in ones goalkeeper breeds confidence into the whole team.
The Life and Times of Mikael Silvestre: Does Silvestre really merit a first team place when the enigmatic O'Shea is waiting in the wings. I don't think so. The rest of the Manchester United defence looks fairly strong but then you look at Silvestre and you think 'oh dear!' Replace him - IMMEDIATELY!
Fergie's retirement: Picture this scenario. Lets go back to May '99 again. Alex Ferguson gets knighted and returns to Old Trafford, as he did, to a hero's reception. He retires there and then. Instead of now, where we are criticising him, there he would be a citywide hero. There would be a statue outside Old Trafford, right next to Sir Matt Busby, to him. They wouldn't just name a stand after him, they'd name a street after him.If that had happened and a quality coach had taken over, Manchester would be thankful.
Selling Stam: Jaap Stam was sold in early 2001 after three years of quality defensive work. Since then, with the exception of Rio Ferdinand, no quality centre-halves have been bought. Imagine what a Stam-Ferdinand partnership would be like. Much better than a Silvestre-Ferdinand one I can tell you!
Sticking with Giggs: In the same season as that European Cup win (30lb tub of metal), Ryan Giggs scored a truly magnificent goal. However, he has now been upstaged by the exciting Cristiano Ronaldo. He is now getting slightly too slow and old for a place in the Manchester United first-team. Maybe it would be best if the two parties left each other in a dignified manner, with Manchester United selling for a realistic price and Giggs bcoming a player at a smaller, yet respected club.
If these things were sorted, Manchester United would probably get back to their best.
