Our beautiful game works it’s magic in weird ways at times, inevitably, players will under perform at some point, thats just football. Whilst looking at our squad in some depth, i’ve compiled a least of reds who quite frankly, must make an impact this year if they wish to remain a Manchester United player come next summer.
Anderson
The Brazilian has been at the club for five years now, he’s definitely got talent and ability, however Ando is yet to show his full capabilities whilst wearing our red shirt. It’s easy to forget that the ex-Porto man is only 24, but his off field antics coupled with frustrating spells on the sidelines due to injury has certainly hampered his development.
At the start of the season just gone, he formed a partnership with Tom Cleverley in the centre of the park that we’d lacked in previous years. They dismantled Tottenham and pulled Arsenal apart in the 8-2 demolition, then shortly after, he found himself injured yet again.
You feel that this season is massive for Ando, Fergie must be losing patience by now. You feel one good season could change all that, is he going to be the midfielder we so desperately crave? Or another Brazilian flop like Kleberson? I hope he does well, his heart is definitely in the right place. If he were to go, I don’t know what i’d miss more, the Samba dance when he scores, or his chant!
Federico Macheda
I’ll never forget his debut goal. We found ourselves 2-0 down vs. Aston Villa, for an unknown 17-year old to pop up and score the winner in the 93rd minute. Andy Gray famously uttered the words “A star is born” on commentary, yet since that moment, the young Italian hasn’t developed into the player we all expected.
Loan spells haven’t helped him either, whilst at both Sampdoria and QPR, the manager that brought Macheda in were sacked shortly afterwards, the 20-year old then found himself sliding down the pecking order when the new boss came in. He still has time on his side though, I still think one Premier League loan move where he can get a decent amount of playing time, could see him blossom into the striker we all know he can be.
Darren Fletcher
Fletcher’s health problems meant that he’s been forced to take an extended break from football. These words are never good to hear for him and fans alike, especially as Fletch is now nearing his 30s, you have to wonder if we will ever see him in our red shirt again.
A week or so ago the 28-year old publicly stated that he would be returning to the fold at some point, but I can’t help but feel that if Darren doesn’t come back during the upcoming season, sadly, it could mean the end of his footballing career. The Scot has been a wonderful servant to our club, I just hope it isn’t going to end prematurely.
Javier Hernandez
We signed Chico for a mere £6million two seasons ago, in his first season he notched up an impressive tally of 20 goals in all competitions, providing Rooney with the perfect strike partner. However last season he seemed to offer very little in terms of attacking threat. Whether this was due to exhaustion or injury, or simply lack of form. We will surely find out the answer this year.
This summer, Hernandez has had his first full pre-season with the club, with international duty and injury preventing this for the last two seasons. I fully expect Chico to hit the heights of his first season form again, but if not, he could well find himself slip down the pecking order, if not out of the club completely.
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