The past 9 months have revealed some abhorrent statistics to say the least for Manchester United. Shots, key passes, touches in opposition area, possession and so forth have all taken a downward turn dramatically. Above all, the number of successful crosses per match (3.8) has been languishing in the bottom 5 when it comes to being compared to the Premier league sides this term. This is exceedingly unnerving considering Manchester United launch the fewest attacks through the middle of the pitch out of any Premier league team. When you phrase it in such a way seems incredible that United are in the top half of the table.
This issue plainly turns heads towards a certain handful of players at the club. The wingers’ inability to deliver precise crosses on a consistent basis will more or less demoralise any top four ambitions United have next season. So who doesn’t make the cut and who should remain at the club?
Adnan Januzaj
I’ll kick off with a no-brainer. If one should be an optimist and pick out the good points of this season then Moyes’ inclusion of Adnan Januzaj would be one. Where others were at times seemingly bereft of any boldness and verve this plucky young Belgian had it in abundance; Januzaj consistently makes callous runs through defenders with a mind boggling sense of ease, he possesses that glorious naivety which young players have where it seems like they don’t really mind if they get kicked or lose the ball. It’s just seems so evident that all he wants to do is make opposition defenders look daft by incessantly providing problems through his unrelenting attacking mindset and seemingly progressing capacity to play 90 minutes at the same level. This mentality can occasionally result in Januzaj losing the ball in costly areas and at times not knowing when to pass or shoot. Nonetheless, at 19 years of age Januzaj has 15 appearances, 4 goals, 3 assists, 60 attempted dribbles and 62 attempted crosses to his name. Verdict: Stays
Luis Nani
Probably the most experienced winger in that United team if you exclude Ryan Giggs, but the most indefinite. After being seemingly overlooked by Sir Alex Ferguson during the latter stages of his reign, the arrival of David Moyes appeared to provide a chance for the winger to be restored. Unfortunately, this just hasn’t come to fruition. His season has undoubtedly been thwarted by injury, but whenever given the chance to showcase what he has to offer he has generally been quite substandard. Having encountered patchy form previously in his Manchester United career, it seems like Manchester United fans are starting to lose patience with the Portuguese international. Like most players of his suggested calibre, he does produce moments of flair and creativity that can prove the difference between two sides (his goal away to Bayer Leverkusen was one of my personal season highlights) but with one goal in 13 appearances and a sketchy pass success rate of just 67%, it seems his days at Manchester United are numbred. A move to his native Portugal or Italy seems imminent. Verdict: Goes
Antonio Valencia
Player of the season in 2012, the Ecuadorian’s form has gone progressively downhill in the past two seasons. However, despite popular opinion I do believe that he played a big part in the clubs success last term. There’s no doubt that he produces performances that wear complete defences down with the width he provides and his direct running style. When the side are producing excellent attacking moves and dominating games he can prove to be a sincere handful. Contrastingly, when United aren’t necessarily coming across much luck and form he cuts a beleaguered and ineffective figure on the right hand side. He comes across as one of those players that don’t react particularly well when the opposing side is applying pressure and United aren’t axiomatically creating many chances at the other end. With 102 crosses this season (the highest out of anyone) in 32 appearances, he has been involved in a lot of key passages of play this season. Additionally, I don’t believe the blistering form of the 2011/2012 season has permanently eluded him. Verdict: Stays
Ashley Young
Another player who flourished in the 2011/2012 season, Ashley Young is potentially now one of the more ‘scapegoated’ members of the united squad (probably taking the silver medal after Tom Cleverley) in some respects, he deserves it. The quality of his crossing has been so abominable this season it can be baffling how his highly paid job consists of crossing the ball, for me it just doesn’t add up. Understandably, everyone has a dip in form and confidence in their game; but it does reach a point where the form Young had once upon a time can’t realistically be rediscovered. I must note nonetheless, you can always question the technical quality of Ashley Young, but the work rate and commitment he has for the cause is always a welcome sight. Unlike Valencia, he consistently applies himself in a resolute manner regardless of the circumstances. With 15 appearances, 2 goals and 3 assists to his name this season it is hard to say he will feature much for Manchester United in the upcoming years. Verdict: Goes
You may not completely agree with the conclusions I have drawn, some could utterly say that all 4 should go and you’d have a point. Something that is abundantly clear however is that a winger with a proven track record of supplying good crosses and scoring 10+ goals a season is added to the united squad this summer. I will potentially commit a mass homicide next season if Mata is being used as a winger.
8 replies on “The winger dilemma at Manchester United - Who stays and who goes?”
quote – “…….some could utterly say that all 4 should go and you’d have a point.”
What?
If you actually think that there is a case for letting Januzaj go, you need to see your therapist, and quickly.
The other three could go without any great loss. However Van Gaal likes to use wide players in a 4-3-3 system. It will depend on who is coming in to fill these wide positions either from the U21’s or via the transfer market, that will determine which and how many go or stay.
I think you might have forgotten a few of our wingers…’
Bebe, staying or going? Should he be given a second chance after impressing in Portugal?
Zaha, staying or going? He does not seem to have the urge to become a superstar. Does not seem interested in whats going on except of when he himself have the ball. But then again, he still is very young and have a potential.
Bebe is a striker. Like Welbeck, he has been used on the wings and has been less than steller. He may be going to the world cup.
A.young,nani and cleversly should leave united. We got two winger valencia and januzaj. Mata,kagawa,welbeck and rooney also can played in wide position.
You’ve forgotten Evra. A player who, over the last 4 years, has totally neglected all defensive duties and been responsible for many many goals conceded. this is because he thinks he is a winger and expects a midfielder to fill in at left back when he goes forward, which he always does.
He should have gone after we lost the Champions League final to Barcelona when Pedro scored the winner from a completely free position on the right. Evra wasn’t even in camera shot yet here was his man in acres of space in a big game. The writing was on the wall then.
As for the rest, I agree with completely with Everyman.
Young, Valencia, Nani out. Januzaj stays. Give Zaha the chance he never got under Gollum. And, yes, let see what Bebe looks like now he seems to be scoring on a regular basis. Otherwise, we can still play Kagawa and Welbeck from wide. No part of the debate, but more important we should let Rooney go.
I think nani Valencia and young Kagawa chito should go and we get reuse from Dortmund and bring janko in from reserves aswell as barkley and lallana,cleverly and fletcher should also go and bring in Carvalho from sporting and strootman. Vidic is leaving i would let Río and evra go and bring in luke Shaw, garay and Micheal Keane from reserves this is my starting 11 and subs for next season, playing vangaals 4-3-3 dea gea rapheal garay Jones Shaw, strootman, Carvalho barkley, januzej Rooney reuse, subs: Lindegaard smalling Evans, carrick Mata rvp
Sorry 7th sub zaha