Wenger Proposed, Fergi Disposed.

As Arsene Wenger feels the four walls of his Arsenal career collapsing on him like a pack of cheap cards after last night’s blitzkrieg, Manchester United are stacking up a fortress of their own.

On a rare occasion such as this when Arsenal were fraught with defensive injuries and suspensions, United showed few signs of showing great respect for one of their most currently vulnerable rivals by taking them to the cleaners. The stains of such a humiliating defeat will have faded off only after a few months if not years.

In an early kick-off, when an Edin Dzeko-inspired Manchester City ran riot, smashing five goals against a Teetering Hotspurs, United showed that it would take only a few hours to do more than just restore parity. Indeed, they went one further and now sit atop of the league on goal difference with the international break upon us.

Regardless of whether Arsenal could’ve had a strong team or a weak team, it always looked like a United win. It was just a question of how many goals they’d win by and what we got was a score line probably even exceeding Sir Alex Ferguson’s expectations.

A Wayne Rooney hat trick, a brace for Ashley Young, and solitary goals for Nani, Park and Danny Welbeck brushed aside Wenger’s left overs like a side hungry for goals. Rarely missing the target, they looked like a team on a mission. They were exceptional all over the park and while they disposed of Arsenal quite ruthlessly and professionally, United will feel duly satisfied with their performance even if it was against a team far from recognition.

United's England Representatives

Perhaps the only blot on United’s red letter day was the injury to Danny Welbeck. A hamstring for the youngster who has shone excellent form early on will rule him out for a minimum of four weeks. But Ashley Young and Wayne Rooney held the torch magnificently after that one early setback and you get the feeling that were they afforded another game in quick succession, they would have jubilantly continued the scoring.

David De Gea probably had his best United game till date by making some really fine saves, including a lackluster Van Persie penalty. Having conceded two goals, it’s a telling sign that he’ll be keeping less number of clean sheets in his first year. His body language is tentative, thus indicating that he is only just beginning to adjust to the English game. But as long as United maintain their scoring run, fewer daggers will be pointed at De Gea’s telling inexperience in goal… if only for a while.

Spanish Acquisition.

Not much can be said about Wojciech Szczesny in goal for Arsenal. Being the in-form goalkeeper of the two on the pitch, United scored some majestic goals, which came from outstanding build-ups and sustained pressure against an inexperienced and hapless Arsenal defense and midfield. A schoolboy Arsenal showing should not take away from United’s dominance, persistence, and coldblooded finishing.

On a day when Arsenal were truly at their worst – you may cite poor form, suspensions, injuries and ill-timed transfer decision making- all leaving them prone to attack after attack, they came up against a Manchester United side determined to build on their fine form and respond to another Manchester team’s equally ruthless exploits at Spurs.

But the most heart-warming thing for any United fan would be the energy that Young, Welbeck, Tom Cleverley, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have brought to the squad; not added, but brought. There is a vibrancy all over the pitch that is very hard to ignore whether United score eight goals or 2 goals. Rooney’s got to be loving this.

In a way, dare I think, as much as the 19^th title may mean to a lot of the United fans, Fergi’s latest additions seem to be etching the triumphs of last May into the not too distant corners in the minds of United’s faithful, but rather giving them a glimpse of what more is to be achieved.

With Cleverley getting his second full game under his belt this season, Wesley Sneijder is a forgotten name. This new entrant from the academy may have just made a decision for Ferguson with regards to the Dutch midfielder’s whereabouts this summer and one thing is for certain- it’s not in Manchester.

While young Tom's regular pairing with Anderson looks to be one for the near future, we may tend forget where Park Ji -Sung, Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs and Dimitar Berbatov will even figure. But let’s not get carried away. The season is long and with injuries and suspensions part of the game; just ask Arsene Wenger, there is much work for the new and improved Manchester United to do.

Been Falling from Grace For A While Now haven't you?

The demolition of Arsenal is passé. Ferguson will now turn his attention towards Bolton Wanderers, who they visit in 12 days time and a week later, entertain Chelsea at home. With Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand yet to return, the international break may prove to be a timely break for those concerned at Old Trafford.

There is a feeling of growing optimism around the club for the future that it holds. It’s breathtaking, fresh and puts a smile on our faces. These qualities that United were probably lacking last season, now seem to have been blessed in abundance this year.

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Manchester United v/s Arsenal Preview.

Manchester United will be relishing the prospect of facing an Arsenal side that barring all their transfers, injuries and suspensions, and have won only one game in eight visits to the champion’s den in all competitions.

United host the gunners with two wins in the league so far while the Gunners have yet to register their first. With Old Trafford becoming a fortress of late for the Premier League champions, few would bet against them dropping two or three points against an opponent who look to be scrutinized for their transfer policies which have put them in a sticky situation with barely four days to go.

Perhaps a successful Champions League qualifier against Udinese last Wednesday will boost Arsenal’s confidence going into game. The ill-fated timing of suspensions for Alex Song, Emmanuel Frimpong and Gervinho leave only Aaron Ramsey to hold the Fort for Arsenal. While their defense is settled on paper at least, Carl Jenkinson, Johan Djourou, and Laurent Koscielny are available. The only doubts for Arsenal are Thomas Vermaleen and Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere.

That leaves the north London outfit with a brute forward line that luckily for them, isn’t fraught with any suspensions or injuries. Robin Van Persie, Andrei Arshavin and Theo Walcott will look to attack with pace while Gervinho sits watches from the stands, or from London. There’s no doubt that the Ivorian footballer has added some more bite into their attack as well and his early season energy will be missed.

Wenger's getting the Hair Dryer as well! Tee Hee!

For United, although it’s too early to get carried away by promising talent, Fergie’s latest fledglings seem to be taking whatever opportunities they get. Tom Cleverley, Danny Welbeck, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have managed to sustain the attention of United’s faithful with their positive play and rather than dwelling on United’s retirees. What’s better for United is that these boys have brought some much-needed energy into United’s side thus adding a bit of freshness to their game; something the team have been lacking in the past.

Even with a wealth of young talent that look set to start the game after impressing recently, Ferguson still has Evra, Giggs, Park, Berbatov and Owen on the bench. That in itself is enviable given that the gaffer may decide to throw on some experience if he wishes to.

But putting aside all the talent and suspensions, this game may be won or lost depending on two main men - David De Gea or Wojciech Szczesny. Both young, talented, agile and there for the long term, these goalkeepers have their work cut out for them.

With the Arsenal stopper impressing in his midweek Italian job and looking more confident than his United counterpart, most eyes will lie on De Gea. With the pressure subsiding momentarily for David after he kept his first clean sheet in a competitive match, he’d do his confidence a world of good to keep that run going.

And then there’s Rooney, Nani, Young and Chicharito to contend with. It almost looks though as if Arsenal will set up with a defensive formation looking to counter with pace up front. Should Arsenal’s seemingly frail defense be unlocked at anytime, they would find it hard to come back at United who will look to mount pressure on the away side for a whole ninety minutes plus Fergi time.

While football does throw up the odd result, United look like clear favourites to edge out the Gunners given the contrasting fortunes between these two clubs in terms of players available for this fixture.

While Arsene Wenger needs a win to give him and his team some breathing space from all the criticism they’ve been under, a point wouldn’t be bad for the gunners given the current state of their squad as well. 

However, should United prevail, it will leave the gunners eight points shy of their opponents and that’s exactly what United will be looking to do by piling on the misery for Wenger and Co.

My Starting line - Ups

Manchester United (4-4-1-1) : 

De Gea, Smalling, Jones, Evans, Evra, Cleverley, Anderson, Nani, Young, Rooney, Chicharito.

Arsenal (4-1-4-1)  : 

Szczesny ( I got his name right without googling it. ) Jenkinson, Vermaelen, Koscielny ( this one too ) Sagna, Djourou, Walcott, Ramsey, Rosicky, Arshavin, Van Persie.

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David is Goliath.

The recent criticism that David de Gea has been under may be a bit too harsh, although it is understandable he’d be subjected to that given that he signed up for Manchester United from Athletico Madrid only in June. With respect to the Madrid outfit, playing at United only maximizes a player’s strengths and attributes just as much as it highlights his frailties. The expectation, the pressure and in his case, succeeding not just United’s but the World’s all time greats in goal, increases ten fold.

Whether he is ready for it, watching his last two games is no indication of that whatsoever. It will only be towards the end of this season as to when he should really be judged. Nevertheless, given United’s stature and being one of the World’s most popular teams, he will need to up his game tremendously.

While only 20 years of age, he does have the best of his years ahead of him. Let’s not forget he’s only played two games on English soil and to be so critical of him after only so little time is a bit unwarranted.

An important point to note is that it’s not only a goalkeeper’s position that’s he’s filling, but also Edwin Van Der Sar’s – and that’s added pressure to deal with. That’s what he signed up for and moving away form Athletico after only two competitive seasons is a brave move on his part. That alone highlights his ambitions and confidence to succeed not just Van Der Sar, but also at one of the world’s most famous and successful clubs.

I feel like a million bucks... x 18.3

Like any young player needs time and room for improvement, so does De Gea. Evidently talented, he needs to be given time to settle in unlike Young and Jones who are English and have played in the League prior to their arrivals to Manchester United. That’s something people tend to overlook when it comes to the Spaniard.

His first two games were away from Old Trafford and considering that his next two opponents are not only Tottenham Hotspurs and Arsenal, those are also significant games being played at home – a support from the home crowd that he will be looking forward to. What a better way to make your Old Trafford bow than to face two of London’s top teams in quick succession with a support renowned for its patience with their players.

Judging from the West Brom game, while United’s defense looked rather reasonable, unlike last season’s back four and Van Der Sar’s combined organization, you can see the lack of communication between the new goalkeeper and defenders. While it’s in plain sight for opponents to see that, the language barrier will prove to be a weak point in United’s armour, temporarily at least, as they start this season with a team that’s currently under transition.

A plus point for the Red Devils is De Gea would’ve made a few friends in United’s defense a lot quicker than otherwise. Patrice Evra speaks a bit of Spanish and that’s a start. Rafael, on the other hand at most times is used as a translator between United’s goalkeeping coach Eric Steele and De Gea.

So while he does take his English lessons as United would have planned that out first as one of his primary tasks, De Gea also can also form some understanding with his two wing-backs with Steele also taking Spanish classes. That should be encouraging enough for the young keeper to adjust to the new language. In addition to Rafael and Evra, Antonio Valencia, Fabio and Javier Hernandez who are still to return, will make life a little simpler for De Gea.

It's gonna be alright David... Just hang in there...

What looks most comforting for United is Sir Alex’s protection of his players. It’s not easy stepping into his predecessor’s boots and hence any mistake made by the young keeper will be magnified thousand fold. That’s where Ferguson steps in to protect his players, for without the support of the gaffer, De Gea would quite easily succumb to the media’s devastating power of criticism. 

Instead of benching his new 18 million pound recruit which would be counter-productive, Ferguson in all likelihood, will give him more game time to get accustomed to the rigours or the Premiership, and the time to deal with the expectations for it’s on the pitch where he can silence his critics.

In fact, taking Van Der Sar and De Gea’s stats from last season’s campaign, fans may be rest assured that with such promise, skill, temperament and more importantly with age on his side, critics who have already chalked off the young Spaniard may cast away some of their premature doubts with some phenomenal displays at Athletico Madrid last season. While the two leagues are in every way very different and not to undermine Van Der Sar’s contribution to United’s title winning season last year, the stats bode well for De Gea’s confidence nevertheless.

He’s a got a temperament about him in tight situations and has a great nerve when it comes to a one on one situation. He’s also got good judgment when it comes to spot Kicks and he did save one crucial penalty last year against Inter Milan’s Diego Milito in the UEFA Super Cup. He also excelled tremendously well in this year’s winning U-21 European Football Championship with Spain.

If David De Gea could rise up to the occasion at Athletico Madrid and perform consistently well for two years, there’s no reason why he can’t step up his game at United and be just as important to last years Premier League Champions as Van Der Sar was for six years.  Granted he is very young, but that’s what United know how to do best – and that is to groom young players.

The fat lady is now rhyming!!!

The season is here
It’s closer than near
The wait has been long
Nine weeks felt like a year

There’s money being spent
No one’s bought Darren Bent
Surprising I’d say
After he’s been club hopping the Anelka way

But there’s still time to go
2 weeks no more
for Sneijder to leave
and Fabregas to deceive

For Modric to depart
And Berbatov to start
For Nasri to follow
Clichy, and not his heart

For Eto’o to Anzhi
Can’t rhyme with Anzhi
For Arsene to buy
Come Wenger Don’t be shy!

For Sunderland to make
ten into eleven
acquisitions this summer
that’s far from a bummer

This can go on
from dusk till dawn
lets do the clubs
before Cesc is gone

Lets start off alphabetically
from A to Zee
and skip a few
of them in between

Twenty clubs
and plenty to say
Lets start off with Arsenal
who kick-off today.



Ah-hem...


Fallen from grace
year by year
Arsenal ‘s no Heaven
as they look to make it seven

Aston Villa can follow
my proverbial McLeish of new life
Young and Downing profitable
But will that mean new strife?

There was a club
Name, Blackburn Rovers
It was bought by Venky’s
And the Story’s over

Bolton aren’t exactly
A blast from the past
Yet every year
They happen to last

Chelsea are aged
except for their boss
Who if he’s unsuccessful
Will mean another Roman Loss

Everton are a team
who remain a top-ten
But as has always been the case
They’re unable to spend

Fulham are a bogey
for most traveling teams
But step out side the Cottage
And they’re Cravin’ for Neem… No idea.

Liverpool have been knocked
right off their perch
As a United fan I say
They’ll always be in the lurch

Sheikh Mansoor may
have the money
But even Tevez
can make him his bunny
One FA cup
and City are back
Well, come back when your trophies
are as high as United’s stack

Glory Glory Man United
All the live long day
The season looks bright
And it's about time
Number 20 is on the way

Norwich promoted
West Ham Demoted
the Canaries are singing their tune
But it wont be long
before they’re gone
to the Championship; Oh No! They’ve sung too soon!

Q.P.R.,
are back with a bang
They’ll be happy to play in the League
But if they pull out
all the stops of the season
That indeed will be an intrigue.

Stoke will live
up to their name
and douse the fires of critics
Delap’s long throws
and Delap’s long throws
will see them produce same ol’ tricks.

Sunderland bought many
but many were sold
where does that leave them
the future’s untold

Swansea who’s heard of?!

Spurs are fighting
For Modric and no other
Harry’s unwilling
to make a profitable blunder

West Brom, Wigan
And Wolverhampton are due,
The only thing I can say is that
they are 3 clubs that begin with W

Here are your teams,
All packaged in poetic ribbon
T'is the season,
Let the games begin!




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Number 20 Calling?

As week one of the Premier League commences this Saturday, last season’s top five and this summer’s major transfer indulgers promise us yet another season of unpredictability and entertainment.

Manchester United have looked very sharp in pre-season and although the real challenge lies ahead, they will be buoyed by the fact that none of their players picked up injuries and showed few signs of exhaust. If anything, they looked hungrier than last year.

Now that United have knocked Liverpool of their perch, Sir Alex will certainly be gunning for more European success. Although they have been very consistent in Europe reaching three finals in four seasons, his priority has always been to win the Premiership.

Community Shield Hero

The Youth injected into the squad by Sir Alex Ferguson after five players in their thirties and one in his forties retired, seems to working well for them given their recent Community Shield win over Manchester City. Although, only time will tell whether Ferguson has got it his recruitments right and recent evidence suggests that he has.

Big City Slickers Manchester City and Liverpool have shown that they mean business by roping in several players while Chelsea have been rather quiet adding only two players to their squad and, Surprise! Surprise! – A new coach. Arsenal themselves have added two more to their team.

Threat

United have more to be worried about this season than last if they are to retain their title. Chelsea can be assured of the fact that their experience and a charismatic young coach makes them United’s strongest challengers again. In any case, over the last seven or eight years, they’ve never been taken for granted.

City showed tremendous character to not only leapfrog Tottenham Hotspurs last year, but also to oust Arsenal from an automatic qualification berth for the Champions League that will see the latter playing a few more games in qualifiers than they’d like to. Suddenly all those millions are starting to find Manchester City’s rub of the green.

The North London outfit have challenged in the past but Arsenal’s greatest hurdle seems to be the second-half of the season syndrome which hits them hard as their lack of energy and experience are exposed year after year. While Wenger, it looks more than likely, will take forever or more than six years to address that problem, it may take a while for them to challenge United in the domestic competitions. Still, it would be unwise to rule them out completely.

Liverpool have found new lease life under Kenny Dalglish and the players he has acquired albeit questionable given the Merseyside’s rich history state that they are here and ready for the challenge. Knocked off their own perch wouldn’t sit really well with the former Liverpudlian player turned manager but his passion for his beloved will drive his players to re-establish themselves as the League’s all time winners. But first they’ll have to get to 19. A timely intervention some would say.

Tottenham Hotspurs are just three weeks away from learning whether Luka Modric will be stay or leaving. The strains of the Champions League caught up with them last year and they could actually consider themselves lucky that they barely just managed a Europa League spot ahead of a rejuvenated Liverpool.  They’ll want to enter Europe’s top competition once more and having plenty to fight for will see them fight at any cost to get there.

United Road

Manchester United are aware of who’s lurking behind them but they won’t pay much attention to it.  Last season, they didn’t have the best away form and dropped just two points at home. Yet, they emerged Champions. In a season where the top 5 were disappointing - unthinkable how they would lose points to the bottom-half teams, United were the best of the worst. It was the closest a season had been in years.

Teams will be tougher to break down and Manchester United will need to keep their heads above water at all times. They’ve got a fairly young squad now – only second to Arsenal. But they also have the experience of winning the League, a drive in their manager, and the legs to carry them well over the finish line.

With a never say die attitude and the belief that is instilled within the history of the club and under it’s crest, United have little to worry about. All their main players have signed contracts or will do so in the coming weeks. It bodes well for the youth at the club that they will have senior figures to learn from while feeling secure.

Carry on…

If there’s anything United can take from last season, it’s their will to finish of teams at home and let’s not forget - a relatively injury free season to all their main players. Rio Ferdinand came back at a crucial time towards the end of the season but when the younger players were called upon, they delivered.

On the contrary, if there’s anything that they should be learning from, then it’s their exasperating ability to throw away leads when not at home. It is something that prompted pundits and people alike to favour Chelsea’s chances of silverware rather than United’s. It just so happened that while United were faulting away from home, others weren’t having the best of barbeques in their own backyard – as Chelsea and Arsenal will testify to that.

The two areas of concern to United this summer were to find an exceptional midfielder and goalkeeper for two legends who until very recently hung up their boots and gloves respectively. Ever since Scholes called it a day, many teams would be aware of United’s susceptibility in midfield.

With Anderson now having to step up to the plate, who partners him for the near future remains to be seen. Michael Carrick seems to be the given choice but Tom Cleverley who recently earned a call up to the National side is proving to be healthy competition for the senior England midfielder.

David De Gea is a terrific stopper no doubt, but one area of concern is the language. While his abilities to be a top keeper for United are there to be seen and further developed, communicating with his teammates will take some time. He and his defenders will need to sort themselves out as quick as possible because it looks like it’s going to be a tough start of the season for them; and not to mention a long one.

After Ferguson recently revealed he is likely to be their number one choice between the sticks, and with qualities that tick off most boxes on United’s paper, he will get the backing of the gaffer himself, his staff and the team. Its not easy being called in to replace a great goalkeeper especially if is at Manchester United and for the sum that you were originally bought for, but he looks like he has the character to succeed in the long run.

Let the games begin

Like any team, United will want to keep their squad as fit as possible for yet another grueling Premier league season that beckons. They used their squad with care last year making sure players were available when they needed them. There’ll be no doubt that they’ll try to accomplish last year’s feat in maintaining energy and fitness levels for the long road ahead. 20 teams and 380 league games. That’s plenty of football.

Nevertheless, this season is new. And while the bridge between the top four may have extended to a further two teams, it gives fans a lot more to be worried about – which makes great for entertainment on the other hand. Every year, when one season concludes, we look forward to the next almost impatiently. Well, it’s here.

Manchester United will want to carry on their pre-season form into the League and with just 5 goals conceded in 5 games which consisted of only victories and 23 goals for, they’ll fancy their chances at retaining the Premier League crown.

Man United's M.O.

M.O. = Michael Owen: Whether he’ll have an impact in the ‘11-‘12 season.

Manchester United are currently undergoing a transitional phase in their plot to recreate history. With Paul Scholes, Edwin Van der Sar and Gary Neville all calling it time on their careers, there are still a few performers of similar calibre left at United who can guide the younger stars of today and tomorrow. As Sir Alex Ferguson reiterates, his senior players play a pivotal role in the dressing room just as much as they do on the pitch.

With this summer’s additions in David De Gea, Ashley Young and Phil Jones, it’s a team with a blend of youth and experience. Ryan Giggs stays for another year while Patrice Evra, Michael Carrick, Nemanja Vidic, Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen signed on as well..

From the aforementioned, many people would be of divided opinion when United granted a particular Michael Owen a one-year extension this June. But, this also presents us with the opportunity to see what the number 7 can still offer last season’s Premier League Champions in the forthcoming season as he turns 32 in December.

Having won many accolades at Liverpool as a youth, a brief stint at Real Madrid and tasting the bitterness that is relegation with Newcastle United in his twenties, Michael Owen has had significant impact on games when he’s been called upon since his arrival two seasons ago.

He scored 14 goals in two seasons with five of them coming in his second term. In his first season, he bagged a hat trick at Wolfsburg in the Champions League, scored in the Carling Cup final against Aston Villa that saw United eventually win the trophy, and who can forget that all-important sixth minute stoppage time winner against Manchester City?

4-3!!!!!!!!! ;)

His experience at both ends of the spectrum with illustrious clubs in and of the past will have a significant place not only on the pitch, but also in the dressing room. He may have lost a yard or two with his injuries, but he still retains a keen eye for goal and the knack for beating the offside trap with meticulous timing.

Another important attribute he possesses is patience. In a United team that play primarily with one striker up front and Rooney in-behind, as that lone striker, knowing that you’ll get the ball less than often, patience is truly a virtue.

He’s that kind of figure who knows he wont be playing week in and week out as much as he’d like to, but that is precisely the kind of character that Ferguson will be banking on when other players who don’t make the cut for a match day, will have the number seven to look up to.

While it looks certain that Owen won’t be starting many of United’s games again this season given the emergence of Chicharito and loan returnees Danny Welbeck and Kiko Macheda, his character, experience and reading of the game in the final third will influence all the younger strikers around him.

Ferguson has always praised Van Der Sar’s presence in the dressing room before games. He was a tower of calmness and composure even if things weren’t going well at half time. Neville and Giggs chipped in too and that’s why Ferguson sees Michael Owen as playing a very important role in the dressing room as United look to move on from Fergie’s very own fledgling-era.

On a parting note, here’s some foot for thought – Manchester United have never lost when Michael Owen has netted for the Red Devils… Long may it continue? Well at least for another year.

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Loans that give you Returns

When Manchester United were in transition back in 1991-92 season, Sir Alex Ferguson raised a group of boys who would rise up to the occasion to ultimately deliver an unprecedented amount of European and English success over the next two decades. They were also known as ‘Fergie’s Fledglings’; also better known as the Class of ’92.


United had five promising youngsters out on loan last season with Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley both playing in the Premiership with Sunderland and Wigan Athletic first teams respectively. Kiko Macheda spent half a season relatively struggling in Sampdoria for first team action while Mame Biram Diouf did reasonably well as a substitute for Blackburn Rovers and Ritchie De laet impressing at Portsmouth.

In a world of inflated price tags and weeks spent on negotiations, money spent is not a guarantee. So United may want to take the plunge into their own roster and give it a go, saving all the contract heckling. With Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Van Der Sar all retiring last season and Ryan Giggs looking certain to play his last this year, Ferguson has got it right once again. He’s covered vacant positions but still misses out on a playmaker. Perhaps they ought to give one of their younger investments a chance to shine on the big stage.

Cue Tom Cleverley. Having spent last season at Wigan Athletic, this boy has got invaluable experience of what it is like to fight and stay up in the Premiership and in the Championship with Watford two seasons ago. He is highly regarded within the club and at twenty years of age, he is a gamble worth taking. He looked sharp in pre-season, determined to win that midfield berth and looks to be a contender to play alongside Michael Carrick.

Cleverley played in, Welbeck!

Danny Welbeck scored six times for Sunderland in 26 appearances and looked menacing with Asmoah Gyan as his co-striker. Though blighted by injury throughout most of the second half of last season, he did more than enough to convince both Steve Bruce and Sir Alex Ferguson that he is one for the future. Sunderland tried to lure him into staying back for one more year by giving him regular football whereas United firmly said no. It looks likely that Welbeck will have a part to play in United’s push for more silverware this season. Like Cleverley, Welbeck has stated that he sees his future at Manchester United and is determined to fulfill is potential and dreams.

Should I stay or should I go?

Mame Biram Diouf, 23, spent all of last season at Blackburn largely as a substitute with six goals to his name. Tall, quick and well built, he has the attributes required to be a Premier League striker except for his experience. It looks less likely that he will be breaking into the first team given the performances of Chicharito last season. He will not only be competing with Welbeck but also with Federico Macheda who is already a Stretford End favourite having made his mark two seasons ago in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Aston Villa. Diouf looks set to be a substitute again at Old Trafford unless he reckons that another loan spell will do him a lot of good, which may make him another contender in Ferguson’s eyes for next year but probably not at the moment.

After a memorable injury time strike against Aston Villa nearly two years ago, it is unimaginable that this young 19-year-old Italian hasn’t made the first team for quite some time now. He also endured a miserable loan spell at Sampdoria between January and May – the time that he spent there. A talented boy and evidently, made for the big occasion, being a lethal striker of the ball and scoring when it matters most are his strongest traits. Having said that, he returns to his parent club with optimism, facing stern competition in United’s striking ranks since the Old Trafford outfit has six other forwards to choose from.

While the four of these young talents look likely to stay back at United, defender De laet has already chosen to represent Norwich City who will play in the Premier League this. It is a wise decision on his part to move away temporarily where he will get first team action in the world’s most watched league. Meanwhile, United already have a defense with the Da Silva twins, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling staking a claim amidst a wealth of experienced players in Rio, Vidic and Evra.

These young footballers have their work cut out for them but the positives they carry with them is that they look hungry and determined to succeed. The future of Manchester United is here and now.

While there may be doubters and skeptics, there are also fans of old who have seen the promise of those talented fledglings before. This may well be the case with Cleverley, Welbeck and Macheda. For long, United’s war cry has been ‘Believe’ and it is something that has seen them produce glorious moments in the past. The same should be applied to the future stars of Manchester United, isn’t it?

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