Manchester United Central Midfield Problems

Manchester United Central Midfield Problems

The current first team players we have at our club currently who can be used in centre midfield (As of 12/13 season):

• Anderson
• Giggs(also LM)
• Carrick
• Scholes
• Cleverley
• Fletcher
• Powell
• Kagawa 

Anderson 

24 years old
Signed from Porto on July 2007 for £20m
146 appearances 7 goals

Has won: 

3 Premier Leagues 
1 League Cup 
1 Champions League

For me Anderson doesn't spark excitement when he plays, maybe due to his injuries and has never had a full season of playing time. Anderson however has shown very good signs when he begins running with the ball, his passing ability is 'ok' but he doesn't score enough goals. I think this will be the last season for Anderson to show what he has and if he fails to deliver a good enough performance I feel it is probably best for both parties if he moves on. He will have a big season as Scholes won't play all 38 games this season so it is inevitable he will be called upon. When he gets his game he needs to show what he could do because at the moment I don't feel he's good enough and I would cash in on him to fund a move for a CM as he doesn't show enough quality.

Giggs

38 years old
Been at Manchester United since 1987
909 appearances 163 goals

Has won: 

12 Premier Leagues
4 FA Cups
3 League Cups
2 Champions Leagues

Giggs has had a sensational career as a footballer and is Britain's most successful footballer. To still be playing at the top level at his age is sensational and to still show his sparking quality is magnificent. Giggs is a type of person who you need around the dressing room, he is full of experience, has a winning mentality and is someone who the younger lads look up to and aspire to be. A Manchester United legend and one of the best to play for the club! 

Carrick

31 years old
Signed from Tottenham on 10th June 2006 for £18m
274 appearances 19 goals 

Has won:

4 Premier Leagues
2 League Cups
1 Champions League

Michael Carrick in one word I would describe as 'simple'. Carrick is split 50/50 with the Manchester United fans as he gets lots of criticism from some and lots of praise from others. My opinion of him is that simple is a very good word to describe him, as he will not give the ball away and him and Scholes as a partnership is very good. Other teams may have Yaya Toure, Jack Wilshere, David Silva, Luka Modric etc but when does Carrick look out of sort against them? He doesn't look out of sort on the same field as them, he may not have the same qualities but he matches up by his performance. I have had my criticism of Carrick mainly because of his style of play but if you compare Manchester United's winning percentage with him and without him you'll see he is a vital player. Although Carrick may not have world class qualities he is a good player in his own right and is good to have in the team and around the dressing room. He is at a age now where he is going to have to be more mature in his style as he will be the oldest player in midfield when Giggs and Scholes retire, which may result in a different Carrick we see now.

Scholes

37years old
Manchester born and bread and has been with Manchester United since 1991
698 appearances 154 goals

Has won:

10 Premier Leagues
3 FA Cups
2 League Cups
1 Champions League

Quite simply an unbelievable and genius of a player. One of the greatest midfielders the club has ever had and is the best central midfielder to grace the premier league. Scholes has sensational qualities and is the complete midfielder. He has brilliant vision and is referred to by his team mates as 'Sat Nav', he can slow and quicken the tempo of the game and keeps the midfield ticking and always finds the right pass. His quality is shown in what cups he has won as a player and the quotes from legends and managers past and present of the game says it all. When Scholes came out of retirement in January his importance shown as Manchester United only lost 1 league game when he featured which was against City away. 

Cleverley

23 years old
Been at Manchester United since 2000
16 appearances 0 goals 

Has won:

1 Community Shield 
1 Manchester Senior Cup 
1 Lancashire Senior Cup

Been plagued with injuries over the past 48 months which hasn't helped his progress. He did have a very good start to the season last campaign but couldn't get back into the team after his injury. He is a player who Sir Alex admires very much and has shown glimpses of his quality. In the summer for Team GB he was exceptional and was one of their best players. He has a long way to go to fulfill his potential but if he fulfills it is a big question? With only having 16 appearances for the club it is hard to give a full truthful analysis of the him. One thing I am certain of he won't be the future Scholes, Modric, Silva of the premier league and that is a fact. With progress he may prove me wrong but I haven't seen enough ability to prove me otherwise, he may prove critics wrong including me. I have time for Cleverley and his progression as he still is a boy, but is he the future of the club I'm not sure.

Fletcher

28 years old
Been at Manchester United since 1995
302 appearances 23 goals

Has won:

4 Premier Leagues
1 FA Cups
2 League Cups
1 Champions League

Fletcher is one of my favourite United players and is underrated by many! Fletcher is unique compared to other United central midfielders because of his qualities. He has great stamina and fitness, hard-working, battle-hardened, great tackler, team player and has a great passing ability and a good finisher. He for me is United's best and important midfielder besides Scholes. Him and Scholes as a partnership is wonderful. The main reason for our title loss last May people put down to the absence of Vidic, I see the loss of Fletcher equally if not more significant. He is the only tackler in the team and only person who will give his all to win the ball back. I think we may struggle again this year if he's not available all season. He is a player who is a must in the squad and is full of quality!

Powell

18 years old
Signed from Crewe this summer for £4m 
He currently hasn't made a first team appearance and has had no honours at United yet

I don't know much about the boy but I've seen him play a couple of times for Crewe and seen him in United's pre-season games and he looks good talent. He is regarded as one of England's brightest talents but that awaits to be seen and we will learn more in the coming months.

Kagawa

23 years old
Signed from Borussia Dortmund this summer for between £12-15m
1appearance 0goals and currently hasn't won an honour at United yet

I've known about Kagawa for a couple of years but his qualities have only come alight to me the past months  He is a player I really like and was a fantastic purchase by Sir Alex. He has great qualities which were shown on Monday vs Everton. He has the ability to take the ball, turn and take players on and he has quick feet and has a good few skills up his locker. He will soon become a fans favourite at OT and I feel he will our best player this year. It is early days still to judge how well he will do but I feel he will be a joy to watch.

That is the summary of each player. As we can see there is not enough quality, there may be depth but there is no quality in the depth. This has been said throughout the past months by many people but Sir Alex is adamant it is not a problem. Us failing to win anything last year says otherwise and this midfield will have another test this year. I'm not sure when the last time in our history we went 2 years without winning anything, but if that happens this year major questions will be asked on and off the pitch.

My targets for next summer as I don't feel we'll buy a top quality central midfielder until Giggs and Scholes retire. I feel we will need 2 minimum top quality players who aren't obscure on the footballing stage. Players bagged full of ability! 

These targets for me are:

• Strootman
• Fellaini