Manchester United were, once again, less than convincing at Southampton in the FA Cup. It was a familiar story as they under-performed in the first half, and then relied on the quality of the old guard to push them over the line. But as we continue to be unimpressed by performance, yet overwhelmed by the ongoing unbeaten streak, is it now time for the fringe players to move aside for a new generation to come through at Old Trafford?
I take nothing away from their season so far. How can you when United sit comfortably top of the Premier League table? My point is, with all the talk of United becoming the new ‘invincible’ side, how long can they really remain unbeaten playing the way they are, especially away from home? The first half performances at Blackpool and then St. Mary’s was nothing short of shocking. In both games, Ferguson had to throw on the likes of Ryan Giggs, Nani and Javier Hernandez to restore normality. Sooner or later though, a game is going to be beyond even their capabilities of rescuing. Giggs is a football marvel at 37-years-young, but he’s no superhero.
I watched Paul Scholes cut a frustrating figure against Southampton at the weekend, and I put a lot of it down to the fact that his centre midfield partner, Darron Gibson, gave the ball away far too often. And what about the stand-in-skipper for the day, John O’Shea? Don’t get me wrong, he has been a loyal servant to Ferguson, but he was about as threatening as a puppy going forward from right back.
These players are supposed to be good enough for the manager to rotate his squad to handle the congested fixture list United face. But when the likes of Gibson, O’Shea and even Jonny Evans take to the field from the start, it no longer fills you with the greatest of confidence. Against stronger opposition, United’s week could have looked a lot different: three points lighter in the Premier League and out of the FA Cup at the fourth round stage thanks to League One opposition.
This dilemma obviously brings us to question who Fergie is to play instead. But looking at the bench at the weekend, I would have much preferred Wes Brown on the field to O’Shea. Fabio is a prospect, and I like how positive he is from full-back – at least he doesn’t get a nose bleed every time he enters the oppositions half like O’Shea. As far as Gibson is concerned, again, he has potential. But with players like Tom Cleverley doing so well out on loan, he has to pick up his performances if he is to avoid being cast aside. He cannot survive off potential alone.
Ferguson puts a lot of faith into his youth set-up so I can’t see him selling off some of his under-performing players quite so hastily. Loyalty is something the 69-year-old Scot holds in high regard, so you could potentially see players like John O’Shea staying as long as Ferguson himself does. But forget all the emotional attachments, you have to ask whether the Irishman is actually good enough to be part of the set-up at Old Trafford or whether it is time United looked to bring though another crop of hopeful youngsters looking to become the next Manchester United generation.
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