A Common Fan’s Sports Diary

Manchester United have an excellent record in the first half of the season against their fellow members of the top 4. They beat Chelsea at home, Liverpool away and had the upper hand in a drawn game against Arsenal. While the frontline and defense have performed admirably in these games, the men in the middle have been the real difference makers. They have won every midfield battle enabling their side to control the flow of the game. And this for me has been the biggest positive for the Red Devils from the first half of the season.

The role of the ball-winning midfielder is crucial in modern football. Especially, for attacking sides which often leave their defense exposed. A top-class, unselfish midfielder protecting your back four is a prized possession; the absence of which gives any manager regular sleepless nights. The rise and the fall of Real Madrid with and without Claude Makalele is the perfect example of how valuable these guys are. Most of the successful sides in Europe have had a quality guy in this role. Chelsea with Makalele again, AC Milan with Gattuso, Arsenal and Inter with Patrick Viera and Bayern Munich with Owen Hergreaves.

Roy Keane filled this role admirably for Manchester United during their dominant run in the Premiership. His decline and subsequent exit was largely responsible for United hitting a trough and playing second fiddle to Chelsea and Arsenal. Last year’s squad played glorious attacking football on their way to the title but was far from being a perfect team with glaring inadequacies – like when it came to ball –winning, as cruelly exposed by AC Milan in the Champions League semis. A title encore was highly unlikely without the necessary additions to the squad.

Fergie was acutely aware of the problem at hand and had been fairly active in the transfer market, trying to fill the hole. His targets included Javier Mascherano, Marcos Senna and Owen Hergreaves. Among the lot he was particularly keen on Hergreaves – a player Bayern were equally committed to hold onto. Fergie came close to getting his hands on both Mascherano and Senna, but preferred to bide his time for Hergreaves. Quite clearly, in Fergie’s eyes, the Canadian-born Englishman was the perfect fit for united. His relentless pursuit finally bore fruit at the start of the 2007-08 season. While this purchase was on the lines of the expected for united fans, what sir Alex did next left them gaping at his supposed impulsiveness. On a trip to Portugal to strike a deal for the new ‘Cristiano Ronaldo’ – Nani, he also bought the defensive midfielder Anderson. The Brazilian did not come cheap, was largely an unknown quantity and not expected to figure even on the United bench; with the midfield choc-a-bloc with quality players. He was considered a luxury Sir Alex could do without having already spent quite a fortune bringing in new players.

Anderson did nothing extraordinary in the pre-season to change the status quo in his position in the midfield pecking order. He got a lucky break when first Scholes and then Hergreaves got injured. The Brazilian grabbed the opportunity with both hands and has gone from strength to strength ever since. So much so, that on Hergreaves’ return, Fergie has often played them together. The emergence of the challenger seems to have had a positive influence on Hergreaves and the ex-Bayern man has delivered all the promised goods.

United cannot believe their good-luck. They asked for one ball-winner and got two class performers. This gives them the insurance of a quality replacement incase of injuries and the luxury to give each player enough rest to keep them fresh throughout the season. The duo has ensured that the team has developed a hitherto unknown defensive solidity – a quality critical for the European battles to follow. They break opposition attacks well before it gets to the United defensive third. This spares the defense long spells of duress; ones which mostly lead to a fatal error. The attack is better than ever and treble chants are emanating again.

Football teams across Europe are busy strengthening their squads for next season and it’s no surprise that football agents and journalists alike are working double overtimes. Some big transfers have already been inked and some are in the pipeline. So here’s my two pence worth on all the action off the field.

Man United signing Owen Hergreaves from Bayern Munich, Nani from Sporting Lisbon and Anderson from Porto – Man United have really upped the ante with three big moves and they are not done yet. Hergreaves fills an important hole in the mid-field and is a proven performer at club and country level. The other two have shown tremendous potential and could be the long term replacements for Giggs and Scholes respectively. The 50 million pounds (and still counting) spent by the Glazers will finally help them win over the legion of skeptical Man United fans. With Liverpool also looking to spend big bucks, a frugal Chelsea look far from retaining the crown they lost this year.

Thierry Henry to Barcelona – The Thierry Henry transfer gossip is a yearly occurrence. This year however, it looks like becoming a reality. Arsenal are under pressure after another trophy-less campaign. Arsene Wenger realizes that he needs more goals (read a typical penalty box poacher) and less craftiness (read Henry). Henry’s biggest supporter David Dein is no longer at the club. Arsenal have no money to buy a world class striker. Perennial Henry-admirers, Barcelona could finally make an irresistible offer to Arsenal (read next transfer story) in the form of Samuel E’too. The Cameroonian is just what Arsenal need and they could pull the trigger on Henry if the Catalans do come up with the offer.

Samuel E’too to AC Milan – And here’s the reason why Barcelona would be willing to make the offer to Arsenal. AC Milan owner, Silvio Berlusconi has made an open offer for Samuel E’too (and remember Berlusconi always gets his players, when he open his chequebook). His efforts to lure Shevchenko back to Milan have failed and he needs another world class striker to fill the void. E’too is disenchanted at Barca and would fancy a move to another big name club. Barcelona would get nothing in return if E’too goes to Milan. They could cover their losses if they send E’too to Arsenal instead. They will get Henry in return and E’too will also be happy with such a move. He will be at home with all the other African players in Arsenal and be the biggest star in the side.

Anelka to Man United – Most people just remember Anelka as a disgruntled and selfish player. They forget however, that he still remains a proven goal scorer in the premiership, an accomplishment which the likes of Shevchenko and Morientes have failed to match. Anelka would be dying to get back to a club where he can win some silverware again. His pace suits United’s style of play perfectly and he could be available really cheap. His good behavior under the enormous personality of Sam Allardyce could quickly change to terrible under Sammy Lee. United would have no such trouble with Fergie in charge (remember how he managed Cantona). They could even go for a swap deal with Saha and some other bits like Kieran Richardson or Mikael Silvestre thrown in.

Carlos Tevez to ???? – He is the most ‘available’ big name player right now. There is no way West Ham can afford to hold on to him and he is sure to move on. His late season flurry has shown that he is the real deal and a number of clubs are vying for his services. With Real failing to land Ronaldo and Raul showing his age, Real will go all out to get him. Expect stiff competition from Chelsea, who desperately need help upfront with Drogba missing the start of next season with African Nations Cup duty and Shevchenko completely disinterested in having a better second season. Let the highest bidder win.

Out of personal interest, I’ am still hoping for a move to the premiership for our boy, Michael Chopra. With the three new clubs in the premiership next season, identified, his agent should get a call anytime soon.