Fergie plans response

August 02, 2007

Owen Hargreaves

SIR Alex Ferguson is preparing to let £35million new arrivals Owen Hargreaves and Anderson loose over the next 72 hours as Manchester United's pre-season campaign steps up a pace.

Hargreaves spent the entire Far East tour as a frustrated spectator as he struggled to overcome a minor ankle injury he aggravated in training.

Meanwhile, Anderson only started training at Carrington this week after spending his summer on Copa America duty with Brazil.

But, in the aftermath of last night's 3-2 friendly defeat to Inter Milan at Old Trafford, Ferguson confirmed both men would play some part in United's next two friendlies; at Doncaster tomorrow and Peterborough 24 hours later.

"Owen Hargreaves and Anderson will be involved over the next couple of games," said Ferguson.

Neither player is expected to play any part in Sunday's Community Shield showdown with Chelsea at Wembley but, provided they come through their forthcoming tests unscathed, and a likely appearance at either Dunfermline or Glentoran next Wednesday, both should be in Ferguson's squad when United open the defence of their Premier League title against Reading on August 12.

Faith

Having kept faith with his starting line-up throughout the Inter defeat, Ferguson will use the trips to Doncaster and Peterborough to give the rest of his squad some much-needed match practice.

And, by the time they turn out at Wembley for the FA Cup final re-match, Ferguson expects to see some defensive improvement too.

Wayne Rooney put United in front but Inter struck three times late in the opening period, with Luis Figo a key figure in each strike.

And although Adriano's own goal gave the Red Devils hope, they could not stave off a defeat which, while not upsetting Ferguson too much, left the Scot in no doubt where his side need to improve.

"The defending in the first-half was very poor," he admitted.

"You will not win any games, no matter who you are playing against, if you defend like that.

"We were so open in the first half. Maybe we would have had a few more free-kicks if it had been an English game but we were all over the place at times. If you defend like that, you will lose."

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Demo, Glossop (02/08/2007 at 11:34)

It would be good if we can have these 2 fit and ready for the start of the season, if not give them a little part in the shield on sunday! i think it may be a little to close to the 2 games tho

Fredrik, Sweden (02/08/2007 at 11:54)

It's crucial to have OH, Nani, and Scholes available for the away games against Pompey and City. With Park, Saha, Gaz and tevez all unavailable we can ill afford any more injuries.

Bill69, Bury. UK (02/08/2007 at 13:50)

Disgusting United. Two English teams beat Milan hands down yet we throw the towel in. Better not leave out the three new signings for the Charity Shield or else we will be walked over by Chelsea. Is it not important to get the first silverware for the season now.No wonder Arsenal have the eyes on the championship for this season already.
Bill Lees

Bill69, Bury. UK (02/08/2007 at 13:53)

Still waiting for Tevez, yet what about that other striker we were talking about. WE proved it how we needed another at the match with AC Milan. Get one now before the end of the month, before it is too late.
Bill
Lees

Mick, Dublin (02/08/2007 at 14:04)

You're a cheery chappy, Bill Lees, aren't you?

What part of the phrase "pre-season friendly" do you not understand?

Demo, Glossop (02/08/2007 at 14:35)

no mick bill lees is right - lets dismantle the team and start again we are obviously not good enough after all we have had 4 easy pre season games to get into our stride! shame on us! lets start by getting rid of those 2 rubbish clowns ronaldo and rooney

Mick, Dublin (02/08/2007 at 14:46)

You're right Demo, I mean it would be a total disaster if we missed out on "the first silverware of the season", after all. It's not often we get a chance to win a trophy as prestigious as the Charity Shield!

Red J (02/08/2007 at 14:58)

Quite right Bill. I would say the season has got off to a disasterous start... although it hasn't actually started yet!

I would love to win on Sunday, first silverware and good morale boost of Chelsea, but lets be honest, it is not the priority for the season! If some of the players are not fit, so be it.

Just on a different tact, I have said this numerous times, but I understand that Fergie is a big Dong admirer and whilst the normal "marketing" reasons will be levelled at him, apparently he can play a bit. Not seen much of him myself.

Lastly, Mick - on many of the last stories, outstanding comments!

chris, oxford (02/08/2007 at 15:10)

Would you mind rephrasing that Red J; "big Dong admirer" indeed ;-)

Sean, NYXMC (02/08/2007 at 15:16)

I tell you, Fergie is going to have a quandary at some point next season:

1. VDS, Pique, Vidic, Brown, Evra
Park, Hargreaves, Scholes, Eagles
Tevez, Ronaldo

2. KitKat/Foster, Neville, Rio, Simpson, O'shea
Nani, Giggs, Carrick, Anderson
Rooney, Saha

I had to call them 1 and 2, because they're certainly not A and B

And with Fletch, Ole Dong, and Evans as options...

Red J (02/08/2007 at 15:18)

Chris - entirely fair comment!

"Fergie is a big fan of the player who goes by the name of "Dong"."

Hope that clarifies the situation, no personal insult intended to SAF!

Mick, Dublin (02/08/2007 at 15:24)

The Dong puns are going to run and run, arent't they?

Never mind shirt sales in China, maybe MUFC signed the lad to boost their online presence, by providing message-boards with comedy gold?

bobbydazzler (02/08/2007 at 15:40)

sean so you finally admit it flech is not even good enough for your reserve team

Sean, NYXMC (02/08/2007 at 15:58)

I've said elsewhere, bobby, he wouldn't make my starting 11, but I think he's a great squad player. Even you admitted taht he had some GREAT games last year - not just good, but very, very good. I admit, he has to rise to those levels more often, but I'd personally be disappointed if we were to sell him. I van imagine he'll travel the Phil Neville route before too long and shine, and we'll have the same old same olds berating the loss of such a useful utility player...

chris, oxford (02/08/2007 at 16:31)

Hehe, ok enough of the Dong euphamisms...

chris, oxford (02/08/2007 at 16:32)

Talking of DF there is an article on Footie365 which states, though it's not a direct quote, that he feels he is good enough to challenge for a first team place.

Discuss.

bobbydazzler (02/08/2007 at 16:44)

sean agrre he ha a few good games last year and i said so he .has never had a great game ever. but a good game every 12-15 games is not good enough. and as for your squad player you named 2 teams on another thread and he was missing from both, says it all really

Frank Old Trafford (02/08/2007 at 17:03)

You can't go wrong with a big Dong in reserve, Mick!

Sean, NYXMC (02/08/2007 at 17:47)

Looking forward to seeing Hargreaves run out for Utd. Neville said of him recently that: "He's also a great free-kick taker, I don't think that should be underestimated, he's one of the best I've seen. That's really something I think we'll see more of for United." One of the best free kick takers Gary Neville has seen - that's REALLY saying something! Tevez is pretty useful too...

Sean, NYXMC (02/08/2007 at 17:55)

I'd happily slot Fletcher into the middle of either of those teams, bobby, and I'm not saying that just to wind you up, much as I enjoy it; like I said, he's a great squad player. Those weren't meant to be A and B teams that I listed, just making the point that there are two full teams of almost equal strength to choose from, plus a strong bench, which is going to give SAF some major selection headaches. Rather him than me. I pretty much guarantee that Fletch will play this season, and he'll rise to the massive challenge he now has, with the addition of three world class midfilders to an already world class midfield... Oh. my. God. (As my daughter might say).

Duncan, London (02/08/2007 at 18:44)

Now exactly what online presence are you talking about there Mick that Dong will be contributing to?

And Chris you didn't think just because you started something you are gonna finish it did you now?

Sean, NYXMC (02/08/2007 at 20:28)

OK bobby, I know it's futile, but I'm going to try to put the Fletch debate away, using the magic of STATS (cleans even the most stubborn minds!).

Goals: DF 3 in 24 appearances (many as sub), one less than Giggs 4/30, same as Carrick 3/33

Shooting Accuracy (per cent): DF 44. Ronny 46, Giggs 44, Park 44, Carrick 28

Assists: DF 1, Park 2, Carrick 3, Giggs 7

Total Passes: DF 854/24, Park 296 / 14, Giggs 1020 / 30, Ronny 1185 / 34 Carrick 1841 / 33 (!)

Passing Accuracy (per cent): DF 83, Giggs 72, Carrick 83, Park 83, Ronny 84

Tackles Attempted: DF 67 / 24, Giggs 44 / 30, Carrick 89 / 33, Park 26 / 14, Ronny 23 / 34

Tackle success rate (per cent): DF 70, Giggs 66, Carrick 69, Park 77, Ronny 83 (he should try it more often!)

Interceptions: DF 12 / 24, Giggs 12/30, Ronaldo 8/34, Park 0/14, Carrick 35 / 34

So tell me how Fletch isn't good enough? The eyes see what the mind wants them to see, bobby, but stats don't lie.

They may not give the whole picture - like how much vision and guile Giggs brings to the game, but with a player like Fletch, they show his true qualities, that he is a gutsy player, and determined and accurate tackler, and an accurate passer, whose strength is in breaking up play with his frequent and effective tackles - but he fares pretty well in all categories.

He has grit, loyalty, and determination - all the BS that has been thrown around about Smith, who isn't close to DF's Stats (Appearances 9, Goals 0, Shooting Accuracy 42, Assists 1, Passes 184, Passing Accuracy 78, Tackles Atempted 9, Tackle Success 56, Interceptions 0). And yet Smith gets called loyal, gritty, gutsy, determined etc etc, and Fletch isn't good enough? Please...

The only people I haven't mentioned here are KR and Scholes: KR because there's no need to embarrass the boy, and Scholes, because he's on a planet of his own.

In 30 games, Scoles had Goals 6, Shooting Accuracy 65, Passes 2070, Passing Accuracy 91, Tackles attempted 95, Tackle Accuracy 76 (!).

So like I said, bobby, the eyes see what the mind wants them to see, but stats don't lie - if people want to perpetuate the myth that Scholes can't tackle, they will, despite the fact that he's the most effective tackler in midfield, and made more tackles than anyone else on the team (only Evra came close, with 91 tackles and a 78% success rate. Fletcher would have beaten Scholes though, in tackles made, had he had the same number of minutes on the pitch. But like I said your mind is set on Fletch, so you'll see what you're looking for.

PS You're right, he should have been in at least one of my 11s. I'll put Eagles on the bench.

Frank Old Trafford (02/08/2007 at 22:16)

Chris, NO! End of discussion!

bremen red (02/08/2007 at 23:07)

I think he means our online presence in the Eastern Hemisphere, the support in the Far East brings loads of dosh into the Glazier kitty. Having a Park and "a Dong" makes us very popular over there, that`s why SAF is a big Dong admirer.

Birdy, Ireland (03/08/2007 at 08:56)

Sean good post with the stats. Also hopefully Hargreaves is as good at the free kicks as Nev reckons, might keep Ronaldo off them!

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