September’s Interesting Times
By: Simon James | September 15th, 2008
Latin scholars amongst you will know that septimus means “seventh” and Roman historians know that that is why September was the seventh month of the Roman calendar until 153 BC. Sparing you any more of history lessons and without relying on quirky superstition and astrological hocus pocus, Manchester United fans will always have a special place in their hearts for the number 7. It’s hard not to become misty eyed at the thought of Best, Robson, Cantona, Beckham…
So, it seems fitting that our current number 7, Cristiano Ronaldo, should return from his injury in the month named after his number. It looks like he has gotten over his painful yet wonderfully named ‘Os Trigonum Syndrome‘. It is a bony prominence in his ankle not, as first feared, an addiction to hair gel and glamour models. Worryingly for United, it is yet to be made clear as to whether he is well on his way to becoming a legend or well on his way out of Old Trafford.
If it’s games he needs, it’s games he will get, as the rest of September chock-full of huge and intriguing fixtures. The Champion’s League defence will begin with a visit from the unsettled Villarreal followed by a daren’t lose fixture away to Chelsea in London. Two of United’s bogey teams follow in the league with the ever improving Boro and physical and awkward Bolton.
To be able to call September a success I would think that Fergie will not be happy unless he wins all of them possibly excepting the trip to Chelsea where a draw would be acceptable. The gaining of momentum is essential for this part for the season so as not to rely on our usual post Christmas purple patch. There are too many banana skins and potential upsets out there at the present and the sooner we find that rhythm again the better. The big question is, can the forwards gain the space they need without Ronaldo? So far, evidence his shown only flashes of brilliance rather than the usual feeling of menace at every attack.
Those fixtures in full for September:
Wednesday 17th vs. Villareal (h)
Sunday 21st vs. Chelsea (a)
Tuesday 23rd vs. Middlesborough (h)
Saturday 27th vs. Bolton (h)
Tuesday 30th vs. Aalborg (a)
I will gush forth more news, previews and reports as often as I can. Keep the debate going.
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Comments
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Simon, great stuff so far. I really enjoy it. My question is, if everyone in the squad is fit, what is your preferred formation and your starting XI?
For me, I think we are at our best at the 4-4-2.
Van der Saar
Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra
Ronaldo, Scholes, Hargreaves, Giggs
Rooney, BerbatovPosted from
United States
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When i look at your 4-4-2 Colin, i can’t help but shake this feeling that we will need Tevez’s dedication on the pitch. I’d like to see a 4-3-2-1. With berbatov we now have someone who I feel can effectively play as that lone striker. Gives us more width and lets Ronaldo/Tevez roam around the middle of the pitch like them seem to love doing and will still maintain that offensive focus.
VDS
Brown, Rio, Vidic, Evra
Ronaldo, Scholes(Anderson), Giggs(Nani)
Rooney, Tevez
BerbatovPosted from
United States -
Hey Colin, thanks mate, plenty more to come.
I personally am with Fergie on formations, you have to change for the team you are playing and as to whether you want to assert your game on them from early on or work out what they are trying to do and change accordingly. For example, I think he will pick a team to beat Villarreal with Berbatov, Tevez and Rooney starting but I doubt he will for the Chelsea game with Tevez dropping to the bench.
However, I would say that I doubt Giggs will get many starts this year. He just can’t handle more than 25 starts a season I don’t think. Therefore, I would say my strongest attacking team would be:
Vds
Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra
Hargreaves, Scholes, Ronaldo,
Rooney, Tevez
BerbatovSubs from: Kusczak, Neville, Giggs, Carrick, O’Shea, Nani, Anderson,
Fletch and Park have never reallt done it for me, I’m afraid.
Posted from
United States -
I think one great thing Fergie does is rotate players. United can swap a few players out (except Ronaldo, it seems) and not miss a beat. Most clubs can’t do that, and that’s a testament to Ferguson’s coaching as well as United’s depth.
Posted from
United States -
Simon,
Fair point about Giggs and I quite like your formation. I think Hargreaves, when fully fit is so valuable and can provide adequate width to our formation.
What do you think of Rooney playing on the right? Surely he is one of our best and needs to be on the pitch, but I am not sure how much he can do on the right. The question is do you play one of your best players out of position, or an average player in their preferred position?
Posted from
United States -
Simon, I personally think Hargreaves is more of an inside player rather than an outside force, if Fergie were to start someone over Giggs (I feel as if he’ll go with Giggs because he has the experience and sub him out later in the half) that person would have to be Nani.
Nani is (hopefully) going to mold into the next Ronaldo because we can’t deny that his days at OT are probably coming to an end, and he needs the experience in CL play.
Posted from
United States -
Hi simon, please to meet you. Just to let you know that I’m supporter of Argentina from Malaysia. I’m happy to see the way Carlos Tevez plays for ManU.
Let’s hope that he has some ammo with him against Villareal. I do feel he will have tough time being marked by Gonzalo Rodriguez.
What’s your thought about and tonights game?
Posted from
Malaysia -
Hi simon, please to meet you. Just to let you know that I’m supporter of Argentina from Malaysia. I’m happy to see the way Carlos Tevez plays for ManU.
Let’s hope that he has some ammo with him against Villareal. I do feel he will have tough time being marked by Gonzalo Rodriguez.
What’s your thought about him and the game?
Posted from
Malaysia -
Guys, perhaps I should have clarified the formation I put up. I expect Hargreaves to be in a holding role and Tevez or Rooney to drift / cut in from the right or left depending on where Ronaldo ends up.
Alessio – Fergie has certain favourites in certain types of matches for rotation and resting, I get so frustrated when he plays O’Shea in a central midfield holding role but he always seems to do an OK job, he is the archetypal utility player (just as Phil Neville became before his left).
Colin – My usual thought is that most players should be able to do job anywhere but all of them will have a speciality. I would say that most excellent players turn into and average one when played out of position….
Schaafito – Agreed, Giggsy’s experience is vital but will he be brought on to shore up a game or to start it and fade? I agree with you as to Nani, I think he will get a lot of games this year.
Hi John – Tevez is incredible, he workrate is outstanding and he always pops up with a quality ball or goal so I think he could be a United legend if he stays for a few years. In terms of the marking, i doubt Villarreal will go man for man as United’s forwards will drag them all over the place. I would say Gonzalez’s performance should be judged on his overall game rather than against Tevez, he’s a good defender though.
Posted from
United States
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