We need a creative midfielder right??

By: Shaun | January 23rd, 2011

goals It’s ironic that we’ve lamented all season long about our need for a creative midfielder, yet a glance at the table appears to indicate that we aren’t exactly struggling with creating the chances to score goals.

How many games have we played in the league this season without scoring? 3 games. Sunderland, Man City and Tottenham. Scholes played in 2 out of 3. So, to argue that we didn’t score because of the absence of a truly world class midfielder in our lineup is negated. The highest scoring games we’ve had so far this season have been the 7-1 drubbing of Blackburn and the weekend’s 5-0 win against Birmingham. Scholes was not present in either of those 2 games.

4369 I’m not downplaying the value of Scholes in anyway because I know (as does anyone who watches football and has some common sense) that he possesses the quality that is found in a select few. Yet, how is it that a side that is supposedly bereft of creativity sits on top of the goal scoring charts when our one true creative midfielder is 36 and our top scorer from last season has only registered a meager 2 league goals thus far?

I know that I’ve done my fair share of lamenting on our lack of quality in the middle of the park. However, the stats seem to paint a completely different picture. Are we to assume then that with an actual world class talent in the mould of an Sneijder or Ozil, that we would have run away with the title by now?

The reality is that Berbatov and Nani have been carrying the load for us thus far contributing 24 out of the 48 league goals we’ve scored this season. The 2 have also chipped in with 11 combined assists which is a very impressive number considering the number of goals they have. The one stat I was surprised to see was Rooney also contributing with 9 assists to his name thus having the roles reversed with his strike partner from last season.

Our anxiety for creativity is more pronounced in games where teams play for the draw and set up with everyone behind the ball. But our worst performances this season haven’t necessarily come due to a lack of creativity, but more because of a general sloppiness in our play. The draws against Sunderland, Bolton, Birmingham and our general display against WBA come to mind. Perhaps it was a lack of creativity that clogged our play. But there was also an overall sense of lethargy and disinterest at times that may have been mistaken for a lack of forward invention.

efc__1255360974_Jack-Rodwell-England-U21-450 What I think we need then isn’t just a replacement for the creativity of Scholes, but someone who can boss the midfield and speed/slow things up as necessary. Scholes in a sense, could do both. But those aging legs are less able than in times past to fulfill multiple functions simultaneously in a highly efficient way. Could we perhaps try bringing Nani into the middle to work as a creative force behind Rooney and Berba and spend our (probably limited) transfer funds on a midfield enforcer? Ando could perhaps do that job, but can we afford to sit around until he fully matures into the world class midfielder we think he can be? Would we not be better off funneling our limited resources to securing the likes of a Rodwell, Petrovic or M’Vila and giving Nani a shot in that creative position especially since we know that the gap he leaves on the right can be more than capably filled by the returning Valencia?

I know that some might argue that playing Nani in a creative role just behind the front 2 doesn’t work with the formation that we play, but this is all just thinking out loud about our supposed area of weakness.

Just some food for thought.

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Category: Manchester United, United Future

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evaldo

can anyone tell me why evra was wearing a blank jersey (no name/number on back) in the first half?
Nick

blood.. i didnt see the first half but i think he was bleeding and you have to change your kit if you have any blood on it. (health and safety thing)
Omeidheidari

I like the idea of playing Rooney as a box to box. We can also play 4-2-3-1, VDS; Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand, Rafael; Carrick/Ando, Fletcher/Scholes; Giggs/Nani/Park, Rooney, Nani/Valencia; Berbatov/Chicharito. In that case, Rooney could drop off and defend/create, but would also pose an attacking threat in the middle. This formation too would allow two deep mids for more coverage when United decide to fall asleep during away games. Something to look into rather than the 4-5-1 Fergie likes to use sometimes..
Ed 23

Yes sneijder is what united need
John Tring

The answer is yes. Being on top in EPL now is , to some extent, by default. Both Chelsea and Arsenal have dropped points unexpectedly. Otherwise, 10 or so draws shouldn't be good enough. As a Utd fan, whenever we see Gibson on the scoresheet, we cringe. Ditto for Park, O'shea, Evans ( defender without knowing how to defend ), Obertan, Bebe et el. So, SAF wants us to believe all is OK? Far from it. You will see when Champions' Lge returns next month. Pity it would be too late for this season. Another season passes by.
Swapnil

one interesting stat there.rooney with 9 assists!!!here's a thought...is it time for rooney to start playing as an attacking(box to box maybe) midfielder??i think its worth a try.rooney's finishing has regressed alarmingly over the course of last 10 months or so but what hasn't changed is his creativity.he is tactically sound enough to play that role,i feel so why not play him in the middle and play someone like chicharito up front with berba who has excellent instinct for scoring!!!
Wildepuzzles

Crap. In lieu of any penetration from midfield the team has had to rely on the strikers to drop back, together with Nani, and bring the ball up towards the goal. Carrick and Fletcher have contributed nothing to the attack, and it's only the recent emergence of Anderson from the wilderness that has seen the side rediscover some drive through the middle. Funny how you overlooked that salient point when his play has had so much to do with the recent spurt of goals.

United DESPERATELY need creativity and presence in the engine room. Until then the team will continue to sacrifice Berbatov's presence in the side to bolster the midfield with an extra man against the top teams. Even then there simply isn't enough class there to really compete well against the better European sides - and they'll probably be hard pressed to contain both Arsenal and City in the upcoming rematches, not to mention Chelsea if their central players can rediscover their mojo.
Shaun

you make a good point about ando's influence on games. are you suggesting that he's good enough to fill the void we need in midfield in terms of pushing our team forward for goals? his aggressive runs behind the front 2 seem to provide an impetus although against the more organized and "better European sides", i think it would come across as merely effort and not much else.
Wildepuzzles

And as Ivor stated, this season has been a disaster in terms of quality. United are top of the table almost by default, thanks to Chelsea contriving to shoot itself in the foot while other contenders have notched up disastrous and totally unexpected results. If United win the title I'll almost feel embarrassed, given how poorly the team has played overall so far this season.
Joey_macg

I disagree wildpuzzles, the league has improved greatly from last season. Yes chelsea have lost depth which has seen them drop points but even last season and the one before, with out both Lampard and Terry they were vulnerable. Sunderland, Bolton, City, Spurs and even Blackpool have added an new dimension to the league and i think its for the better. Very few games are a given due to the middle teams in the league improving greatly. to win the league this year would be a greater achievement than previous year when you only had 3 teams at most competing at the top.
ahmad_h

actually this year, no game is a given :P .... other than that, i'm agreeing with you 100%
Ivor

Oh, I thought it was mostly because the EPL is piss-poor this year. Winning is all that matters, though, right? The proof is in the pudding bla bla bla... To be fair, we haven't even come close to hitting top gear this season although those two goals against Stoke City made me think of Brazil. Two goals out of nowhere, then back to cruising on neutral. I think we can beat anybody on a good day, except Barcelona. Two class midfielders and a prayer for one more season from EVDS and I think ewe can beat anyone!