David Sadler column

Stuart Brennan

October 19, 2007

WAYNE Rooney and Rio Ferdinand need to shake off their England disappointment quickly as United's season picks up pace.

I can't help but wonder what kind of mental scars they will carry back with them from Wednesday night's Euro 2008 defeat in Moscow.

But with an important Premier League game at Aston Villa on Saturday tea-time, and then a trip to Ukraine to face Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League next week, now is not the time to be dwelling on international setbacks.

The good news for Sir Alex Ferguson is that neither Rooney nor Ferdinand appear to have suffered any physical damage.

It would be understandable if both players have suffered a little psychological knock-on effect, although Rooney can take some consolation from a superb goal, which emphasised that he is back at something like his sharpest.

He has now scored two in two for England after three years without a goal in a competitive international, and that is good news for United, because Villa will be no pushovers.

Villa Park has been a happy-hunting ground in recent years, both in league games and FA Cup semi-finals, but Martin O'Neill will be looking to end that run.

He has done a good job and if the Midlands' sleeping giant isn't exactly bouncing out of bed, he is at least having a yawn and stretch - and he has done it with a relatively young side.

It will be good for the United's England lads to get back to club football. I'm sure Steve McClaren would love a game this weekend as well to get the events of Moscow out of his system quickly, too.

Sadly, there's no such chance for Sir Alex's former assistant.

Wouldn't it be nice to see the Football Association show a bit of loyalty to McClaren and allow him to keep his job, regardless of whether England reach Euro 2008 or not?

If you look beyond those disastrous five minutes in Moscow, it was actually a pretty good display, carrying on in the vein of good wins over Estonia, Israel and Russia at Wembley.

When it comes down to it, McClaren's fate may have been sealed by a goalkeeping error - a real problem for England, whoever the manager is - and a penalty decision which the officials got wrong.

On such small twists of fate do football managers' jobs rest - and I fear that will be the case for McClaren.

Take those two mistakes out of it, and I feel McClaren has actually started to get something going, even though I am not his biggest fan. To toss him aside now and start all over again may be a backward step.

What do you think? Have your say.

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tooth&claw, manchester (19/10/2007 at 13:46)

As it goes, I don't think Rooney or Rio need to go to Kiev. We should let some of the youngsters play in that game. I'd play VDS, Simpson, Pique, Brown, Evra, Fletcher, Anderson, O'Shea, Ronaldo, Nani, Tevez. If Hargreaves or Carrick are ready I'd maybe drop them in. I think those guys need the games (except maybe Ronaldo) and the squad will then be fresh for the Arsenal game. Given the start we've had in the CL, we can afford to take a risk away in kiev. They aren't going to be competing against us to qualify and we've still got two home games against the weaker teams in the group.

JonyB-), North Staffs (19/10/2007 at 13:59)

I'mSorry Davi,But McClaren keeping hisjob would be the last thing i'd do!!

Yes theres a massive argument for loyalty to your first choice, to the man you BELIEVE can do it. Steve was sadely not even 3rd choice!! His management record at Borough shows him to be no better than average. That is not a reflection on his coaching skills i assure you. But he is NO Fergie. He's not even a Sven!!

I felt it was important, although risky, to let him see us through the group stages. I felt changing manager and the press circus and inevitable FA bumbling would be too damaging during the group stage. But, wether succesful or not i was sure thatit is right to change mangeronce qualification or not isconcluded. McClaren isnot the man tolead england. The FA is not theorganisation to lead English football. Our national press is nothing more than self-promoting, self-obsorbed sheep, who unfortunately seem to be having more influence than they should!

The premiership, the clubs and national schools of excellenc have failed to produce the crop of young stars we where told would comeafter throwing all that money their way!!

The players we do produce would rather have a rest than play for england!! Only to be forgiven a game later!!

I'm afraid for the future of english football. We are neither as good or as bad as we believe. We are simply aimless and at present unimaginative and sterile!!

I believe only a modern day Clough can make us what we want. But he must be backed by all. And then theres finding this grail of a manger!!

Managing gurus like Hiddink, Lippi, Mourinho, Wenger, Scolari..... Or more likely Allardyce, Kerbishley, sticking with McClaren. Who's next for the national grinder????

Steve, Glossop (19/10/2007 at 14:39)

It's a good job some of the people on here aren't the manager for God's sake drop Rio? Are we safe in the group yet such drivel. If we play JOS & the Godson from the start the game's lost.

red4ever, Chennai (19/10/2007 at 15:40)

"Wouldn't it be nice to see the Football Association show a bit of loyalty to McClaren and allow him to keep his job, regardless of whether England reach Euro 2008 or not?"
David Sadler tell me you are joking, please do.
The Manager is held responsible whatever the outcome.......period.
Don't worry about Roo and Rio.
Rooney is in great form after that metatarsal break(sorry for the pun).

His workrate and fire are always there. He is the best we(ManU) have.

This man(MaClaren) does not exude either the calmness or the confidence required of such a big job.

It's now out of England's hands as far as qualification goes.

This is the time to give him his marching orders, before he does any more damage, in case England does go through and this bloke is permitted to do more damage.

Wake up the FA you need to get a replacement.

I wonder if John Teryy would have the grace to resingn like David did, I do not think he has that much class personally.

Maybe Terry could get Steve sacked like he did Jose. That would be more his style!

tooth&claw, manchester (19/10/2007 at 18:22)

Steve Glossop, so you don't think next weekend's game against the league leaders is more important than an away game in the Ukraine, where the travelling is likely to be a bigger problem than the game? I'd keep most, if not all, of my best players back for the Arsenal game and send the players who need match time to Ukraine. It treads a fine line on UEFA regulations about putting out strong sides but it's worth that risk too. We can't afford to lose against Arsenal but we can afford to lose against kiev. Isn't that clear enough?

uden red, nederland (19/10/2007 at 19:29)

bang on red4ever the gaffer needs to go he as no idea of playing good football with some of the best players in the world! how many times did you see robinson roll the ball out and then play from the back? none and how can you play a long ball game with owen and philips up front? tactics lost us the game we were always on the back foot,only a brilliant goal almost saved us welcome back rooney!

David J.J. Michael (20/10/2007 at 03:06)

The gaffer got it all wrong. Th russians were fast. Our reaction - slow down the game which is to say KEEP THE BALL. We had nine people behind the ball when the russians were attacking yet none were able to steer the ball away intelligently. Hapless Robinson couldn't do better. Please drop Him.We have had enough.

Steve, Glossop (21/10/2007 at 22:49)

Tooth & Claw you're talking about seasoned internationals who love to play competitive football. It's no secret that Ferguson is desperate to win the CL again & rightly so given recent pathetic decisions & displays. I think you need to put your PlayStation away & get real ok.

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