Manchester United's Champions League elimination at the hands of Bayern Munich ensured their failure to progress to at least the semi-final stage for the first time since 2006.
With last Saturday’s Premier League defeat at home to Chelsea putting United on the back foot in the title race, the problems are mounting at Old Trafford.
So what happens next and what are the big issues facing the club and Sir Alex Ferguson following United’s European failure? What are the main issues that have hampered Manchester United this season?
Money:
Conflicting messages are coming out of Old Trafford about United’s transfer plans this summer and how much they have to spend to strength the squad. Chief executive David Gill insisted earlier this year that the £80m banked from the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid is still waiting to be spent, but Sir Alex Ferguson claimed this week that he does not envisage a host of new faces this summer. Ferguson is either happy with his squad or the money available is not sufficient to add the quality he desires. The United manager has voiced his concerns over the inflated prices being quoted for top players, but if the likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid are prepared to pay those prices, they become the going rate and United must either dive in or stand aside. With a debt of £716.5m, however, finding the money to compete is unlikely to become easier for United.
Ageing squad:
Ferguson’s decision to start without Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville against Bayern exposed the combined age - 106 - of his three illustrious veterans. The three of them are in the twilight of their glittering careers, while Edwin van der Sar, at 39, is another whose best days are behind him. Rio Ferdinand is now 31 and injury problems are beginning to mount up for the England captain. Michael Owen is 30, while Dimitar Berbatov is 29. The younger end of the squad is well-stocked, with Wayne Rooney at 24 leading the way, but Ferguson’s heavy use of Giggs, Scholes and Neville this season suggests that he is not quite ready to trust his youngsters ahead of the more experienced stars.
Dimitar Berbatov:
Put yourself in Berbatov’s shoes and ask how you would feel if a half-fit Wayne Rooney was selected ahead of you in a crucial Champions League quarter-final? The Bulgarian forward’s demotion to the bench for the Bayern game summed up his time at Old Trafford since his £30.75m arrival from Spurs in Sept 2008. When the big games come around, Berbatov tends to be on the bench. He has simply failed to deliver. Twenty-six goals in 81 appearances is not a good enough return and, despite winning the backing of the fans for his surprising work-rate and determination to succeed, Berbatov was bought for much more than that. In the absence of Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, Berbatov has failed to step up to the plate.
Who is under threat?
Ferguson’s ruthless streak is legendary and he will view this season’s European campaign as a failure. As such, he is likely to be tempted to make changes. A big question mark hovers over the United future of Michael Carrick, whose poor display against Barcelona in last season’s final appears to have carried over into this campaign. The England midfielder was again disappointing against Bayern. If Owen Hargreaves can return to full fitness, Carrick would appear the obvious fall-guy, particularly with Darron Gibson improving at a rate of knots. Berbatov is another who will be fearing the worst. He had the chance to rescue United against Bayern, but just didn’t look a threat. Anderson, currently sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury, is another who must do better when he returns.
Who will United sign?
Depends on the money available, but if Ferguson does have £80m+ to spend, he will look to lure Karim Benzema to Old Trafford, 12 months after failing to keep the French forward out of Real Madrid’s clutches. Defender Chris Smalling is already signed up, but Palermo’s Simon Kjaer is another target. Napoli’s attacking midfielder Marek Hamsik, at £25m, would not break the bank if Ferguson pursues his interest in the Slovakian. United clearly need another striker. Wolfsburg’s Edin Dzeko has been watched regularly by Ferguson’s scouts, but Benzema remains the first choice. And with Van der Sar creeping towards 40, Ferguson would dearly love to recruit Hugo Lloris from Lyon. Lyon will demand a huge fee for the France No 1, however.
What should be United's main priority?
Sort out Rooney's future. Rooney’s value to United has rocketed since he suffered his ankle injury against Bayern. By missing the defeat against Chelsea, his contribution this season was magnified immeasurably. Ferguson rushed him back against Bayern simply because Rooney is his most reliable match-winner. Contract talks are due to begin at the end of the season to replace the final two years of his current deal. No matter who United sign this summer, persuading Rooney to commit to a new five-year deal will be the biggest signing they can make.
Reported by: telegraph.co.uk
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