The Devil In Me

Bobby Robson was once asked what the secret was to good management during his time with Barcelona. He replied simply “Pick the best players and play them in their preferred positions.” It does sound simple doesn’t it? But the reality is that with teams challenging for trophies everywhere and injuries cropping up that we are now in a position of having the best squads winning the major prizes. It is, however, the best team that generally wins football matches and now United fans have only two to concentrate on it is something of a worry that the best team is still not known.

It is fair to assume that Ferguson will pick the team against Wigan that he would like to play against Chelsea in Moscow, both matches are of crucial importance and are spread out in such a way that overtiring the players need not be a matter for too much concern. What is of concern is that Ferguson has gone on record as saying that he would ‘pick Paul Scholes on sentiment’ and backed up the claim since. With Giggs just one, or two, games away from Bobby Charlton’s record does this mean he will be picked using the same criteria? United are without a shadow of a doubt a club that does things the right way, always providing tickets for ex-players and commemorating them appropriately with testimonials but these things happen, crucially, after the players have retired. The man who dropped Jim Leighton for the 1990 FA Cup Final replay was a man interested in winning. The first match in that encounter with Crystal Palace was a six goal belter. The replay was a dour, stodgy match indeed but it did bring home the trophy. There is often talk about playing the Manchester United way and whilst I wholeheartedly endorse this, we need to play the team that is going to win the game.

Wes Brown should start at right back and Evra at left back. Vidic, VDS and Rio pick themselves.The forward six should be Scholes, Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez, Hargreaves Anderson. Simple. Yet I have a nagging thought that Fergie might get the jitters and try a new tactical formation that doesn’t work. I see Ronaldo playing as an out an out striker for example.

Thoughts?