So Manchester United produced a match winning effort to see off Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool at Anfield yesterday. The result should be enough to see Louis van Gaal keep his job until at least the end of this current campaign.

Unfortunately for United fans the performance wasn’t scintillating but I’m sure they’ll still love the fact that they managed to get one over their long time rivals. The faithful would also have appreciated that many of the first team that were missing managed to sit in the away end and cheer the team on from the terraces, it was a nice touch!

But I started thinking during the game, how many of the Man United players on the field would get in to a Sir Alex Ferguson side?

David De Gea: 

Well Ferguson did fork out £17.8m for the Spaniard back in 2011. After a tough start at Old Trafford De Gea has turned into a club stalwart and it could be argued that he is the clubs best player now.

A world class shot stopper who helps the side immensely with his ability in between the sticks. Would definitely be Sir Alex’s first choice keeper if he was still the gaffer.

Ashley Young:  

Young never really reached the potential that was expected of him at United. His versatility and willingness to work back endears him to Van Gaal. A decent squad player, although injuries always a problem (he came off injured yesterday).

I get the impression that had Sir Alex stayed on for an extra year, then he’d have sold Young. So I seriously doubt he’d be in a Fergie team in 2016!

Matteo Darmian:

The Italian international has had a few off days in his debut season in England but on the whole he has impressed. Certainly looks more comfortable on the right.

I think Sir Alex would see a lot of Gar Neville in Darmian and would get into the team. Although would the Glaswegian boss have sold Rafael to sign Matteo? Hmm I doubt it.

Chris Smalling:

Another player who was signed by Ferguson. The centre-back has improved since Van Gaal took charge in 2014 but I think that is more down to the player stepping out of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic’s shadows rather than the Dutchman’s tactical nous.

Fergie would be delighted that Smalling has finally made the step up permanent. Would probably be one of his leaders on the pitch.

Daley Blind: 

Another strong player who adds a lot due to his footballing intelligence and his versatility.

I think Ferguson would have been very keen to have Blind in his squad but I doubt he’d be seen as a centre-back. Probably would have played as a left-back more often than not.

Morgan Schneiderlin: 

The Frenchman gives his all and works well for the team doing the dirty things that more creative talents don’t waste their time on. Great at keeping possession and winning it in the first place.

We all know towards the end of the Fergie era that central midfield was a problem and I think that he’d like Schneiderlin’s work ethic and his combative style. Would he have paid £24m on him?

Marouane Fellaini:

The big Belgian offers something different to the United team with his strength and arial ability. Seems to be well liked in the dressing room and a trier.

To be fair Van Gaal didn’t sign him. If Fergie had wanted him he’d have bought him before his retirement and would never have paid so much. Just wasn’t the type of player Sir Alex would have had in his side, especially towards the end.

Ander Herrera: 

The young Spanish midfielder seems to impress the Man Utd fan base more than his current manager. Very effective on the ball but Van Gaal seems to have the shackles on him.

I genuinely think Ander would have excited Alex Ferguson. He’d have seen a new up version of Paul Scholes, just in need to direction and confidence. I think Fergie would have got the best out of the middle man.

Jesse Lingard:

Seems to have the trust of the manager and relishing being in the first team, keeping out Memphis Depay at the same time. His willingness to work back is a trait that the Dutch boss certainly likes.

I am a bit undecided on this one. Fergie predicted great things of Lingard and even thought that it wouldn’t happen straight away. But surely the legendary manager would have been expecting more than just one assist this term? Quite possibly in the same mould as Darren Fletcher and John O’Shea, worth keeping around as they can always offer something even if its just honesty and work rate.

Anthony Martial: 

Has really impressed since his big summer move from AS Monaco. Has lightning pace and a great instinct for a goal. Definitely doesn’t seem at his happiest out on the wing but needs must I suppose.

100% a player of the Fergie generation. Also think Ferguson would have managed him in a similar way but would have had more striking options to support the youngster and help him grow,

 Wayne Rooney: 

The match winner against Liverpool is now in his twelfth season at Old Trafford and is the club captain. Has scored 242 goals for the club but doesn’t seem to be the player he was at the height of his powers.

We all know that Rooney and Ferguson had fallen out just moths before the manager retired. I doubt the relationship would have survived that falling out and had Fergie stayed then I think Wayne would have been sold. I also think his form this season would have seen him dropped from the first team under Sir Alex.

Memphis Depay: 

The winger has all the attributes to become a Premier League success but he’s failed to show it enough this term. Is that down to settling in or his attitude? That question remains unanswered.

Depay’s qualities and achievements at PSV would have sparked Fergie’s interest but would he have passed the mental profiling that Ferguson would have demanded from his scouting team?

Juan Mata:

There is no doubting Mata’s skill or technique. Is he a luxury player that the club needs at the moment?

I wonder if Ferguson would see Mata being a bit too similar to Juan Veron. A very pretty player but not worth building your team around. Fergie would also be suspicious of Jose Mourinho’s willingness to sell a player to a rival like United.

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson: 

It’s too early to really comment on the eighteen year old. Didn’t do much wrong yesterday but one for the future.

 

 

Posted on January 18th, 2016 by scott
Filed under: Article