I was sitting in my friend’s car earlier today. We were discussing what the players were referred to by their teammates. He’s a Liverpool fan. We had gone through all the Liverpool players. I started going through the United players. «…Giggsy…Chris…Anders…Chicha..Well, Sir Alex usually called him Chico..». Usually called him. He won’t anymore. Because it’s not his job. Sir Alex Ferguson is no longer manager of Manchester United.

We have all grown up in different circumstances. Some with a huge family with uncles, aunts, grandparents and the solid unit you call your mother and father. Some of us grew up in homes with just a mother or father. Maybe an older sibling. Maybe not. They were people on whom you could always rely. People who would never really go away. Through good times and bad times you’d stand together. United. Many of us grew up with Sir Alex Ferguson. Many of us have never known anything else. Many of us do not wish to know anything else. It would be to replace the reliable unity you formed. It was never a unity you chose to form. It was just the way it became. Sir Alex Ferguson was Manchester United.

The past couple of days have been a rollercoaster. For us all. I have danced through my entire emotional register. I have been heartbroken, I have been angry, I have been hopeful and I have been fearful. I was born in 1992. I have never known anything different than what stands ahead of me. My unity with Manchester United was chosen through a radical Frenchman and a baby faced Norwegian who never looked a day older than 14. Behind them stood this authoriative, proud Scot who didn’t need to gesticulate or make a mockery of himself to get his point across. He would, from time to time, lose his cool. But that was his passion, his heart, his relentlessness. He was a winner and he demanded that they transpired him whenever they stepped on the pitch.

I don’t know about you, but I really don’t think about all the trophies he won when I think about the legacy Sir Alex Ferguson leaves at Old Trafford. Sure, he took the club from a fallen giant to the juggernaut of modern football. He made it the biggest and most popular club in the world. But what he did was provide a sense on consistency. You could always rely on Sir Alex Ferguson. You always knew his mentality. His work rate. As the son of a plater’s helper in the shipbuilding industry in Govan his working man’s principles were something we all grew to cherrish. Nothing was done without hard work. Look at the players he created. David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo. Yes, their talent was obvious, but they were a product of hard work. Sir Alex Ferguson’s hard work alongside them. And in the end, we were the ones who benefited. Had I received had a penny for every time I have been told that Manchester United was the only thing that made a person smile, I would now be a millionaire.

And so came the day. The day that was never supposed to come. It happened so quickly. Too quickly. We never got a chance to react. He was just… gone. Sure, the rumours were there. They were there every summer. Every time the league was won, every time the season ended,  every time something monumental happened at the club. This was the time for Sir Alex Ferguson to retire. And we laughed. Because we all knew it was untrue. He would never leave us. But, he did. He had won us the league. Number thirteen for him, number twenty for the club. He had knocked Liverpool off their perch. He had regained control of Europe. He had ruled the world. But more importantly, he had conquered all of our hearts. 26 years. 9692 days. And so he’ll ride off into the sunset. Having appointed his favorite deputy to lead the march on. But it will never be the same. We will all support David Moyes. Because he’s one of us now. We who grew with Sir Alex Ferguson, however, will forever have a section of out heart reserved to the greatest of them all. The hairdryer, the red nose, the chewing gum, the glasses, the rants, the smiles, the glory, the triumphs, the sadness, the grief and the anger. But more than ever, the unity. And the years we spent finding sense and normality in comfortably knowing that Sir Alex Ferguson would always be able to make us feel good about ourselves again.

When Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept, for there were no more worlds to conquer

Thank you for the memories, Sir Alex Ferguson.

Following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, there’s a sense of sheer panic about this week’s podcast as we convene an emergency meeting to discuss the surprising, but inevitable, departure of the great man. Needless to say, during this week’s Can They Score podcast, we get emotional about the Scotman’s departure! 

“I don’t think you’ll ever see anybody managing Manchester United for 27 years again”

- Martin Edwards, on Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to retire at the end of the 2012-2013 season

Riding a tidal wave of acclaim and approbation Sir Alex Ferguson now joins a special class of English football manager.  The select few who compose it- among them Herbert Chapman, Matt Busby, Alf Ramsey, and Bill Shankly- would surely welcome the addition of the great Scot to the list. The country which spawned the sport has created an “aura” around the idea of the manager, and surely few have ever been held in such high esteem as the retiring Ferguson. News of his tenure coming to an end at the end to the current season has been met with type of newsroom furor typically designated for (much more pertinent) world news.

While his departure signifies a seismic shift for the club, Ferguson will remain at Manchester United as both director and ambassador. This bodes well for whoever succeeds Sir Alex; in the worlds of Al Pacino upon becoming Don Corleone, who could ask for a better consigliere? 

Nevertheless, there are certain lessons to be drawn from Sir Alex’s time as manager. Whoever steps in to manage the club will benefit greatly from the media, the supporters, and its directors remaining mindful of the following:

For all the success he has enjoyed, Sir Alex’s time at United did not start out in distinguished fashion. Three years on from Ferguson’s first season at the club, United supporter Pete Molyneux infamously held up an old bed sheet at Old Trafford, upon which he had painted the now comical phrase “Three years of excuses and we’re still crap, ta-ra Fergie.” Ferguson eventually won a trophy, the 1990 FA Cup, and it was rumored that it was exactly this triumph which saved his job. The line at United has been that Ferguson was never in danger of losing his job, but it would be naïve to believe it. Ferguson eventually won a league title, in 1993. The current squad is light years ahead of what Ferguson had to work with in the late 80’s- who could imagine an RVP-led United finishing 11^th in the league? Still, whoever replaces Sir Alex should be shown the necessary patience and given the appropriate time to instill his brand of management and football at Manchester United.

Time and patience will be crucial. There will never be another Sir Alex Ferguson in football. Ever. The sooner we know that, the smoother a transition the club will have. More than one quarter of a century of tenure in any position breeds the highest kind of affection and, more importantly, respect. With Sir Alex, respect and affection have given way to reverential awe.  Sir Alex’s mantra that ‘no player is larger than the club’ became the foundation for the excellent man-management style he practiced while with the club. There will be few to raise the complaint, but in doing so, Sir Alex himself became larger than the club. He was not afraid to take on referees- witness “Fergie-time.” He was not afraid to boycott the media- witness his behavior after his agent-son’s integrity was questioned. Finally, witness his handling of players threatening to break his first rule; Ince, Keane, Van Nistelrooy, and Beckham all left the club amid rumors that their relationship with the gaffer had deteriorated due to overgrown egos and allegations of sub-par allegiance to the club.

Sir Alex brought much more than anyone could have ever imagined to Manchester United. Unfortunately, the problem with his success will rear its head the moment the unlucky fellow to succeed him is announced. At the moment, David Moyes is heir apparent. The parallels between the two are endless- both are Scottish, both will have come to United from much smaller clubs, and both are praised for intelligent transfer market deals. At the moment however, no formal announcement has been made. When one is, let the games begin.

Rooney has been replaced. He looks on grim-faced as the young pretender relishes the opportunity and rapidly graduates from little known understudy to the main event whilst the team’s former talisman looks on. Rooney faces the reality that his best days are past. No longer do his team mates and supporters entrust him with their hopes and dreams. As much as they revere the part he has played in the club’s history; it is clear to all that the future belongs to others.

Fortunately for the man who goes by a teenager’s nickname, the Rooney in question is Jack rather than ’Wazza’. This scene from Oliver Stone’s Any Given Sunday plays like a disconcerting premonition of things to come for United’s number ten.

Like Jack, having got used to being the main man, Wayne has found his billing reduced. Not only has Robin van Persie usurped him as the team’s star attraction, but both Shinji Kagawa and Danny Welbeck have in the eyes of many fans emerged as the men most likely. Like in all his films, Stone’s message lacks subtlety but rings true regardless. Everyone can be replaced. Today’s star can become Yesterday’s man before he even knows it.

In Wayne’s case, you can inevitably trace the beginning of his fall from grace to that distasteful episode where in league with his agent he either a) extorted the club or b) took on the Glazers, depending on your view of the man. Regardless of the motivation, his appeal for the acquisition of world class talent has both enhanced the team and diluted his influence. Proven high quality arrived in the form of Robin van Persie, along with potential greatness in De Gea, Jones and Kagawa. The last title-winning side – so reliant upon its talisman – was remoulded, no longer centred upon Rooney. He is not alone in finding himself a functional sentry where once he was a centurion. Both Nani, and even Valencia , have found themselves at odds with the manager’s tactical vision.

To describe Rooney as having a poor season would be ridiculous. He provided a staggering number of assists, delivered a reasonable return in front of goal and earned plaudits for his willingness to adapt to deeper roles. This last element is where the questions lie. Arguments rage over Rooney’s potential to become a central midfielder but the fact these debates continue as he finishes his eighth season at the club is proof of the state of flux in which he finds himself. In the wake of Ronaldo’s sale, expectations rose that Rooney would fulfil his promise to emerge as a player equal to the greatest in world football. For a time he threatened to do so; memorably eviscerating a Milan side who had no answer to his combination of explosive power and intelligent movement.  This was not to be sustained, as inconsistency in performance (if not output) convinced his manager to look elsewhere. The call for more goals to fight back against City brought a new face rather than a renewal of faith in the existing star. To paraphrase OFSTED, Rooney has been ‘good, with outstanding features.’

Should Rooney have become the player we hoped? Perhaps we asked for too much. The teen prodigy has edged close to becoming the record goalscorer for one of the world’s greatest clubs. Precious few precocious sportsmen have ever gone on to fulfil the lofty expectations lavished upon them – I give you Robinho for example. Yet like Robinho, the suspicions remain that lifestyle choices away from the field have undermined his achievements on it. None too subtle regular references to his ‘conditioning’ suggest his manager agrees. Even those Reds who defended his actions in the contract saga could not defend his return from the summer clearly overweight. We hoped the arrival of RvP and Kagawa would fuel his appetite to prove his worth, but sadly it seemed only to have fuelled his appetite. On the field Rooney has cut an unusually isolated figure at times this season; appearances punctuated by unforced errors and the now familiar throwing up of the arms when things don’t go his way. Life on the football field frequently looks a chore rather than the pleasure it once was.

Apologists might point to his manager as the reason for a failure to press on. The tombola has forced Rooney to play markedly different roles from week to week. It is an oft heard lament that Rooney’s selfless flexibility has been exploited at the cost of excelling in one particular role. ‘He can play anywhere’ is meant as a compliment, yet the great players don’t. For them it is an endorsement of capability as oppose to a statement of intention. Robson and Keane were both praised as such yet positional changes for those two only came in the darkest of injury crises. The reality for Rooney is that despite being given opportunities to establish himself as both a striker and a creator, he has not convinced his manager of his ability to excel in either role. In the two biggest matches of the season, he was used either as a grafter or not at all. As much as supporters tried to underplay the significance of both selections, the inescapable fact was that Wayne Rooney is no longer considered essential to success. The era of ‘the big man’ is over.

The perverse reality is that in the month that he has added yet another title to his burgeoning collection, Rooney is perceived to be mulling over his next move. Stay, sign a new deal and fight for his desired place? All power to him if he does, but Ferguson’s fluttering of eyelashes at Dortmund’s lethal Pole don’t suggest a man preparing to restore Rooney to frontline service. Nor does the pointed praise of Kagawa and promises of a big future ahead suggest Rooney’s future role will replicate that of his shirt number. An alternative then is stay, sign a new deal and continue to serve in a variety of roles. Those who claim that Rooney could convert to a champions league quality central midfielder after ten draining years have admirable faith I sadly lack. His expensive use of the ball and frequent heavy touch don’t meet the criteria for the mobile, technical number 8 Ferguson craves.

The real alternative could be out of Rooney’s hands, yet ruefully I feel it best for the player and most probably the club. His contribution to our club derserves respect; at times he has carried us. Yet despite the occasional moments of brilliance; the consistent excellence that characterises the true greats has proved elusive once again this season. If a suitor is prepared to cross the Glazers palms with sufficient silver; a new club, with a new manager, could be precisely the fresh challenge needed to make the next five years of Rooney’s career the peak rather than the epilogue.

As Manchester United celebrate their 20^th league title following their 3-0 victory against Aston Villa on Monday, the importance of Rio Ferdinand to their success this season cannot be understated. Playing in almost three quarters of their Premier League fixtures, despite his long term back problems, the 34 year old Englishman has proven that he has plenty more left in the tank.

Playing with a swagger not seen since 2008, Rio has arguably been United’s finest player this season, oozing class and composure throughout. Whilst United’s other centre halves have chopped and changed, Rio has been the keystone in United’s defence- marshalling De Gea, guiding Rafael and linking with Carrick.

Using all his experience and guile, Rio Ferdinand has re-established himself as England’s finest centre half and United’s #1. Despite being rather lucky to avoid punishment for clapping in the referee’s face against Real Madrid and tripping Torres in the FA Cup, Rio has been a calming presence at the back for United this term. Authoritative in the air, clinical in the tackle and precise in his distribution, United would have dropped many points without him.

Since signing from Leeds United for £30m in 2002, Ferdinand has proven to be an extraordinarily influential bargain with a stellar record on the pitch and an interesting one off it- and this season has been no different (#5 caps, driving bans, ill-advised tweets). Yet, despite all the baggage (the drugs test, the contract, the prank shows), he has been a great leader on the pitch who’s shown tremendous longevity to ultimately lead United to one of their most successful Premier League campaigns ever.

Now in the process of planning his thoroughly deserved testimonial, Rio can turn his attentions to next season and beyond as he looks to extend his Premier League career as long as possible. Expected to sign a one year deal in the coming weeks, Rio will likely have a less important role to play next season as Jonny Evans and Phil Jones continue their rise up the ranks but, as his performances against Madrid , Liverpool and Spurs showed, his experience and ability cannot be under-estimated.

Just as Jenson Button is no longer the fastest pair of wheels on the track, Rio is no longer the fastest defender in the land. Yet, both have remained remarkably smooth operators with the latter gliding across the pitch, reading the game telepathically and intercepting balls with ease. In the short term, neither is showing any signs of slowing down next season and just as Jenson Button’s relaxed style has kept him an F1 betting favourite this term and beyond, expect Rio Ferdinand’s Rolls-Royce style to keep him going from August 2013 and beyond.

And, just to prove he’s not getting boring in his old age, here’s a lovely reminder from Beautifully Red of what he can do further up the field, too.

How good do you think Rio has been this season?

This was supposed to be it; the last jump into the home straight where United could apply the definitive sprint finish. Revenge for the 1-6, revenge for the heartbreak of May, an opportunity to right wrongs and send a message to our Premier League challengers. April 8 was meant to be the decisive battle in a hard-fought, well-won war for the title.

However, with just eight games left to play, United are out in front, if not out of sight, 15 points ahead of City and on a seven match winning streak. It’s all but mathematically certain that the Premier League trophy is heading back to Old Trafford, and yet tonight’s fixture has suffered for it. The Manchester derby has become a dead rubber, and it’s all because of Real Madrid.

With nothing else to play for, all of the urgency, appetite and verve that was so evident in the first six or so months of United’s season looks to have drained from their title challenge. Cautious professionalism has taken the place of ferocious enthusiasm as the team prepare to slip into the grinding half-sleep of a mechanically reclaimed run-in. With Robin van Persie’s goals drying up, Rooney’s intermittent season further interrupted by injury and blind alleys at every turn for the team’s cast of wingers, in recent weeks spectators have been left wondering what else has been slipped into the mince.

United’s runners are pulling up and the match day fare is being watered down. Efficiency not fluidity is now the order of the day. After the cruel cocktail of hope, complacency and collapse suffered last season, Sir Alex Ferguson has the whip out and is ready to ride his squad over the finish if he needs to.

A third Champions League is out of his grasp for another year at least and judging by the team’s showing against Chelsea the FA Cup wasn’t a priority unless the treble was on. Fergie demands history. Everyone’s winning a double these days, and at 72 his time is coming to a close. Trebles, Champions Leagues and Premier League point records are what truly count, and if he can’t add either of the former to his legacy this May, the latter shall have to do. It’s not a bad stop-gap on the way to extending his legend once again either way.

City must also shoulder some of the blame for the dread of non-spectacle that hangs over Old Trafford. The signing of a certain Dutch striker is not the game-changer Roberto Mancini would like the footballing world to believe. From his dalliances with an undercooked 3-5-2, to the narrowing of City’s player repertoire in his transfer dealings, the grey-haired Italian has failed to progress his squad in any real way. Crashing out of the Champions League bottom of their group and hiccupping again in the league, City appear to only enjoy one way of playing. Their 4-2-2-2-cum-4-2-3-1 system is effective in the right circumstances but it is hugely dependant on player confidence, form and individual skill. They lack a functional Plan B which their three-at-the-back set-up just can’t provide, and with a squad overstocked with all-too-similar specialists there is little variety on offer to mix things up. It would be too much to say that City have regressed, they’ve merely stood still.

Does stuttering opposition excuse the stumbles of a victor? What would a recording-breaking 20^th title be without a worthy, defining flourish? A dour anti-climax seems unfitting for such a landmark league win, but it would also be misrepresentative of the football played by United earlier in the season. Conversely, an adventurous or dominant win over City would likely be enough to recast these last few weeks in history as an uplifting march to glory.

The final act of any trophy win is key to how it is perceived. How different the consensus concerning United’s quality would be if the season were flipped and played out in reverse. Even a surprise final day loss to Everton would not be enough to dampen the hype around such a Premier League triumph and the manner in which it was won. Bayern Munich’s early call on the Bundesliga title would not have been the only stylish runaway success this year.

It’s not bitter or biased to suggest that champions have a duty to dominate the competition they win, especially at pivotal moments, and especially for a club that supposedly prides itself on its traditions of exciting, attacking football. Manchester United need to produce an answer to their critics on par with Spain’s 4-0 win against Italy in the European Championships; a performance that added a much needed layer of glamour to a much-criticised tournament run. A win tonight needn’t be record-breaking or even equal to City’s result last year, but a performance that at least attempts to shade Mancini’s men as spectators to United’s own game plan and ability is a must; the sort of game threatened by the first half of Madrid’s most recent visit to Manchester.

Winners write history of course, but their accounts look far more believable and vivid if others are convinced by their greatness. Sir Alex, having won a few hearts and minds on top of his silverware haul, surely knows and appreciates this, and the purchases of van Persie and Kagawa, along with his renewed faith in a slow-brewing cast of highly skilled youngsters, are all decisive moves of intent as well as function. Tonight could yet be the biggest game of the season, replacing the scene of disappointment and Nani’s controversial red card last month, but United must be proactive and claim their title in the manner their season as a whole demands.

Anderson’s exit from Manchester United has long been on the cards, but the midfielder’s recent admission that he could return to his ‘roots’ could see the Premier League leaders step up their interest in Porto midfielder James Rodriguez.

A possible loan deal back to Porto has been mooted, but both player and club will be keen for any move to be permanent.

Anderson has suffered a succession of injuries during his time at Old Trafford, but a collection of poor form, lack of goals and inability to keep the ball has seen the early appreciation of the Brazilian midfielder’s energy and drive quickly dry up.

The player himself has publicly admitted that he has “tried to leave [the club] several times but never managed it”, whilst rumours of a move to Brazil are also steadily increasing.

Anderson has been quoted in Portuguese paper A Bola, as saying that “Porto are the only club I would consider moving back to Portugal for… my past is there” and a return to the Estadio do Dragao could provide the hard-working midfielder with an outside chance of making the Brazil squad for the 2014 World Cup, should he be able to stay clear of injuries.

Manchester United are likely to recoup less than half of the £20 million fee that the Red Devils paid for the Brazilian midfielder back in 2007, but Anderson’s impending departure could help improve Sir Alex Ferguson’s long term pursuit of Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez who has once again excelled in the Liga Sagres.

Rodriguez followed up his title-winning performance of 13 goals in 20 games last season, with eight goals in 17 appearances this time around, as the Dragons once again battle Benfica for the Primeira Liga championship.

Nicknamed ‘El Nuevo Pibe’ by former Colombian great Carlos Valderrama, Rodriguez has been likened to former Manchester United player Cristiano Ronaldo with the player’s dribbling ability, ball control, shot power, creativity and overall speed drawing comparisons.

Rodriguez won the Primeira Liga Breakthrough Player of the Year award last year and the 21-year old is thought to be open to a move to the Premier League leaders.

Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to reengineer his attacking line for next season following the January acquisition of Crystal Palace prodigy Wilfried Zaha and Portuguese winger Nani is another who could leave Manchester United in the summer.

After being priced out of a move for Gareth Bale last season, Sir Alex Ferguson may use the extra Premier League television money to secure a deal for long-term target James Rodriguez, whether Anderson can facilitate a move back to Porto or not.

Centre back, defensive centre midfielder, centre midfielder, attacking centre midfielder. Centre something. That seems to be the priority at Manchester United. A few weeks ago, we needed a centre midfielder; today, according to various reports, we are in need of a centre back.

Whilst both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have enjoyed a rather successful season, it is fair to assume that their time at the club is limited. Add to this the fact that Phil Jones seems to be in the process of being moulded as a defensive midfielder, used primarily to shadow and hassle key men in the opposition’s team, it is understandable that a certain doubt has been cast over the strength of Manchester United’s defensive core.

Once the two experienced centre backs decide to call it a day, Manchester United will be left with only two out and out possible starting central defenders: Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans. If you are a regular visitor to this website, you will know that I am yet to be entirely convinced by Chris Smalling and believe that he will only ever be a squad player at Manchester United. Again, as I have also previously stated, I hope he proves me wrong and establishes himself as a great centre-back for the club, but until that day comes, I believe that yes, another centre-back will need to be purchased to replace the two departing veterans; perhaps not this summer, but most definitely the next if they want to remain Premier League favourites. At the moment, United are odds on favourites to reclaim their title with Ladbrokes at whopping 1/200.

The only question is who? Who out there is cheap enough not to break the bank, but good enough to directly fill the big boots of his predecessors? The answer is: there aren’t many.

Kurt Zouma (Saint-Etienne)

If you follow me on Twitter, you will know that I am a huge fan of the imposing youngster. I (fairly) recently wrote an article on him for this website, which you can read here. As stated in said article, I do not believe Kurt Zouma to be entirely ready to make the jump to a starting position in the Premier League. On the other hand, if purchased early and perhaps sent out on loan to gain some experience at another British club for a season or so (coincidentally just around the time a new centre back will be needed), Kurt has the potential to establish himself as one of the great centre backs of his generation.

Nicolas N’Koulou (Olympique de Marseille)

As a defender, Nicolas N’Koulou nearly has it all. He has the pace, the strength, the concentration and the positioning. His only weakness (and even then, he’s not half bad) is his aerial ability. Extremely capable with the ball at his feet, Nicolas isn’t one to shy away from running out of defence and picking out a good pass to one of his teammates further up the pitch. With teams nowadays relying more and more on versatility and ball ability, Nicolas N’Koulou would be an asset to the majority of big teams around Europe and with a reported price tag of £8 million, it is understandable why many teams have already expressed their interest in a player who, were he not playing for a Ligue 1 club, would be valued at around £20 million.

Dedé (Vasco de Gama)

When it comes to the Brazilian league, my knowledge is fairly limited. I know of players, yet I wouldn’t feel entirely comfortable describing their strengths and weaknesses as I only catch one or two games a term. I know Dedé to be a talented centre back but I would much rather let @CheGiaevara, someone who has seen a lot of the big Brazilian, describe him for this article:

“Dedé is a freak of nature. At six feet three inches, with the body of a supreme athlete and the ability to dominate his opponent, he strikes fear in the hearts of attacks everywhere. The general tradition of fullbacks attacking has moulded Dedé into covering the space they leave as well as covering his own. He outmuscles, outruns and often outsmarts his opponent, including one fellow by the name of Neymar. Dedé’s tempo and pace often covers up his lack of positional skills, which could become a problem in the Premier League (see David Luiz). However, he posses the power to move the ball out of the defense, in which he has earned the original nickname “Dedéckenbauer” by the Vasco da Gama faithful.”

Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)

As you can see, options are running a bit low, yet Hummels isn’t exactly an impossible target. Admittedly, he has recently signed a new contract until 2017 with Borussia Dortmund but Thiago Silva did so with AC Milan a few weeks before signing for Paris Saint-Germain. Manchester United were linked with the German defender around November last year and since then, Barcelona have been the latest club to be linked with the German rock. Still only aged 24 and with 24 caps under his belt for Germany already, Hummels has the ability to be one of the first names on any team sheet around the world. A price tag of over £30 million may be required to acquire his services but as Manchester United saw with Rio Ferdinand, great quality generally comes at a high price.

I recently read an old article on TalkSport, similar to this one, linking Manchester United with the likes of Sergio Ramos and Giorgio Chiellini. Whilst I, along with a vast majority of Manchester United fans, would love to see players of their ability at the club, their price tag would be exorbitant. Even Hummels is more of a wish than a realistic target.

Are there any other defenders I may have missed whom you believe would be an adequate fit to replace Rio and Vidic, all the while consolidating our back line? If so, feel free to leave you suggestions in the comment box below.

In the latest installment of the James Bond franchise, Skyfall, our tuxedoed secret agent finds himself confronted with some difficult truths. Early in the film his inability to subjugate an adversary forces his superior to make a decision which, when carried out, places our hero’s career in limbo. Upon his return to MI6 he is submitted to a stringent physical and psychological evaluation in order to assess his ability and readiness to return to the “field”.

Manchester United’s very own James Bond, that British bulldog of an athlete, previously invulnerable and always beloved by the support, now faces his own difficult truths. Wayne Rooney missed out on a starting role in last week’s Champions League match against Real Madrid. For many, this was a clear sign that Rooney was no longer considered untouchable by Sir Alex Ferguson. Not helping his situation has been the excellent form on Robin Van Persie and the rise of Danny Welbeck, both of whom started the first and second legs against the Iberians.

Questions reverberated over the Englishman’s weight and fitness; his showings as of late have done nothing to quell the doubts. His touch has looked off, as have his passing and general precision. His movement, once described as the cross between a cobra and a bison, now appears laboured, predictable. He returned this season from a summer in which England foundered at the European Championships, a tournament he prepared for with a holiday spent in Vegas casinos. Now 27, we should be enjoying a Wayne Rooney at the height of his considerable powers, not questioning his loyalty to the game. A strong case can be made that he has unfortunately failed to fulfill his potential.

This is Wayne Rooney’s Skyfall moment. He must answer the critics, quiet the doubters, and stake his claim as the premier player on the league’s best team.

As complex as the problem may seem, and may be, the answer to the question of the player’s perceived downfall is a simple one. Within Sir Alex’s ever-present, sometimes-modified 4-4-2 certain players are inextricably linked to their positions. Robin Van Persie will always play as a striker, as will Javier Hernandez. Michael Carrick will always be charged with finding and setting the tempo from the center of the park, and Antonio Valencia will always hug the touchline. Quite curiously (or not) with Rooney, this rarely happens; to wit: in the first leg against Real Madrid, Rooney was deployed out on the right of midfield, clearly planted there to nullify the threat of one Cristiano Ronaldo. His performance was criticized, and his demotion to the bench for the second leg justified the critics.

An excellent piece here on Cantheyscore argues that Nani’s troubles on the field arise from the use of  unclear strategy or tactics on the part of Sir Alex Ferguson. The point is clear: Nani requires a set number of players behind him, players who offer the structure required to offset the inherent unpredictability with which he plays.

Rooney’s dilemma, comprised of similar underlying factors, lies in the way in which his abilities are utilized. A forward like him- strong, determined, driven, angry, blessed with excellent technical ability- should never be positioned behind the attacking third. His skill-set has but one purpose, this to wreak havoc amongst opposition defenders.

The counterpoint to this argument might be that the team is more important than the individual, and that if his services are required somewhere other than leading the forward line, so be it. Conversely, a look at his best year shows us that when given the responsibility of scoring goals, few are better than Rooney.

Following Ronaldo’s departure, the offensive burden at Manchester United was placed squarely on his broad shoulders. He responded with aplomb, scoring goals as if they were going out of fashion, netting the PFA Player’s, PFA Fan’s, and FWA Footballer of the Year awards. Of all the accolades, perhaps the most salient for my purposes was his inclusion in the debate for deciding the finest footballer in the world. His name was mentioned in the same breath as Messi’s and Ronaldo’s. This came not as a surprise, but as the fulfilment of an athlete’s immense promise, and the hope was that his star would only continue to rise.

This has certainly not been the case. Rooney’s ability has grown with age, and his passing recently had us all raving about the “new Paul Scholes”, but even the Ginger Prince did not retreat from his central attacking midfield role until he was past thirty. It must be the same with Rooney. In order to thrive as he once did, he needs to play a central role as one of the main attacking options at Manchester United.

The recruitment of Van Persie and Shinji Kagawa should have been a means to an end, namely that Rooney would finally have the support he required as a forward. While all three players inhabit similar positions on a football pitch, any adjustment made for the inclusion of Van Persie and Kagawa in the squad should have centred around Rooney. This did not happen.  Instead, his status within the club has diminished, and his attacking abilities seem all but forgotten.

During this week’s Can They Score podcast, we look back at the disappointing 2-2 draw in the FA Cup against Chelsea. We look at what went wrong after such a promising start, praising Benitez, questioning Sir Alex’s substitutions once again and looking at Wayne Rooney’s attitude. After that we talk Qatar, De Gea, Ferdinand’s immaturity and preview the weekend’s match against manager- less Reading. Joining me in the studio is Jonas and Frenchy.