Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will soon be able to choose from 15 central midfield combinations, with his squad returning to full fitness. Paul Scholes was outstanding against Stoke City last weekend, while Darren Fletcher has been the manager’s first name on the teamsheet in recent weeks. Yet, outcasts Michael Carrick and Anderson were superb in midweek, and Owen Hargreaves will return this month. Then there’s the evergreen Ryan Giggs, who has increasingly been used as a central midfield playmaker.
“We’ve a strong squad. The problem with having everyone fit is picking the right team,” said Ferguson in his weekly Friday press conference.
“Our two central midfielders – Michael Carrick and Anderson – were fantastic against Wolfsburg, and I thought Darren Fletcher and Paul Scholes were outstanding at Stoke. It is giving me a real headache.”
“On Saturday against Stoke, Scholes gave an absolutely masterful performance,” Ferguson added.
“It was incredible, he had 78 passes in the match and four were off target. Four.
“It’s phenomenal rate. As Stoke manager Tony Pulis said after the game, I can’t think of a better United player I’ve seen.
“You can understand that because when you see that kind of performance, it’s wonderful.
“Scholes and Giggs are defying their age and the enthusiasm, confidence and maturity that is in their game and it’s refreshing to see that players can retain these qualities for such a long time.”
[poll id=”21″]
I am a Liverpool fan, but like your website because it is critical and somewhat objective. If I were picking your team, I’d go for Fletcher and either Scholes/Giggs. If Giggs is being used on the left, like he has been on occasion this season, Scholes would slot in, but if Nani is on the left, Giggs has to be ahead. He’s really been fantastic this season, and is showing real intelligence on the ball. Fletcher comes in because apart from getting the occasional goal, he is a really quality defensive midfielder. Not only is he really good on the tackle, he also organizes the entire defence really well.