United's Orlando bloomers

July 22, 2008

UNITED'S young guns took on Sir Alex Ferguson's pre-match challenge in South Africa to show him whether they can make an impact on the European and Premier League champions' squad.

The Reds boss has made it clear that room will be made if the reserve up and comers prove they can hack it with the grown-ups.

Talking of his young players in Durban, Fergie said: "When we signed those young lads, we thought they had the potential to go on and do well.

"They have now come to an age where we need to start making big decisions on them. We have to decide whether they should go on loan again or whether they can join our squad of 23 players.

"I would be delighted with that. It is a challenge for them as the standard of our team is high."

Fraizer Campbell, Lee Martin, Jonny Evans and Darron Gibson, who were all out on loan last season, plus Chris Eagles were plunged into action against the Orlando Pirates in the Absa Stadium last night.

Workout

The quintet all had their moments in what proved to be a relatively easy workout. Campbell, who was a huge success at Hull City last term and is courted again by the Tigers, showed the pace that destroyed a number of Championship opposition.

Gibson was farmed out to Wolves for the majority of the season but is back to stake his claim and his composure, strength and vision in midfield was impressive in flashes.

But it was Lee Martin who made the most indelible mark by scoring the match winner. His second half of the campaign loan at Sheffield United flopped because of knee problems but he was a lively contributor in Durban.

His goal was made by Wes Brown, who played in the match before flying home after the death of his half sister.

Apart from some dangerously over-exuberant tackling by the Pirates - with Carlos Tevez suffering more than anyone - it was a stroll for the Reds.

Only some self-inflicted sloppy moments and a late spirited effort to cheer the 55,000 sell-out crowd allowed United's defence to join in the action.

As a fitness exercise it was a success but following just one goal in the draw against Kaizer Chiefs and just Martin's strike last night Sir Alex will be hoping the big summers transfer stories prove positive.

Fergie hinted that perhaps some of those attempting to knock on the United senior door might need games under their belt elsewhere this term before attempting the big breakthrough.

He said after the match: "I am satisfied with the result and for the first 30 minutes we played very well. There was good vision in our game and quick passing and we didn't dwell on the ball.

"They were very aggressive in terms of pressing the ball and we had to be quick on it and we showed good one touch play at times and good movement.

"But after 30 minutes our momentum was lost a little bit. It happens with young players once you get over those 30 minutes. They start to lose a bit of concentration.

"Some of them have not had enough football of course at that level. The likes of Chris Eagles and Lee Martin in particular. Lee got injured at Sheffield United and he needs a lot of football now but there is a lot of talent there as in the case of Chris Eagles.

"Hopefully they can start playing a lot of football at a good level to fulfil the promise they show."

The Reds manager is not losing sleep over the lack of goals.

"I am not concerned about the goals yet. It doesn't bother me at the moment," he added.

"I will start to worry if it is still that way at the beginning of the season. We want to get to August 17 with a good squad of players. We have one or two to come back yet and hopefully that will make a difference."

UNITED: Foster, Brown, Ferdinand, Evans (Simpson 88), Silvestre (O'Shea 62), Eagles, Carrick (Scholes 69), Gibson (Fletcher 82), Martin, Tevez (Rooney), Campbell

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SAPPER, MANCHESTER (22/07/2008 at 23:41)

It was a good game for the young ones to show what they had but for me sadly I can't see any of them making it at United, maybe Gibson if he is given another year on loan.
Fergy says he is not worried by the lack of goals but I am and also the lack of chances made especially in the second half until Scholes came on, their keeper only had one save to make from him and no other. The pitch and the ball, I don;t know if it is the new type of ball that is used now but a lot of player seem to over hit it or it just flys miles and bounces like a golf ball on concrete.
What will show how far we have come is the game in Nigeria against Portsmouth, as stupid game considering we play them in the CS.

Red Dawn (23/07/2008 at 00:19)

It was a poor showing, against what was more or less the Pirates second string.

They are a poor side at full strength, so it was quiet embarrassing to only put one past them.

We really lacked inside the final third.

None of the youngsters rose to the challenge. Campbell was very poor I thought and even though it's early pre-season, he looks exactly the same to me as last pre-season, so I think another season on loan with Hull in the Premiership will bring him on. He's not ready for Uniteds first team yet.

I think Eagles and Martin are only in the shop window on this tour, so a goal a piece won't do things any harm. I fully expect both players to be sold.

Everything said, what's important is the first-teamers gaining valuable match fitness on this tour, which they are getting.

I'm surprised at the number of people phoning into MUTV saying they don't want Berbatov.

They need their head examined if you ask me, as I believe he would be one of Uniteds best ever signings.

His technical superiority would mean he'd be lethal in the box, plus he'd provide ALOT of assists. He'd also bring the best out of Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez, I have no doubt about that, plus he'd have presence in the air, which we currently lack up front.

Some people think he is lazy, he is not, it's just his style of play that makes him come across as that. He's so good on the ball when he gets it that he doesn't need to be a lung buster. He's a bit like a good midfield player really. A good midfielder doesn't need to be a lung buster, he just needs to have great ability on the ball. A bit like Riquelme really.

He may come across as moody to people, but that's simply because he doesn't want to be at Spurs. He wouldn't be like that at United, I can assure you of that.

Fingers crossed he's a United player soon, as he'll bring really class to an already outstanding squad.

JoJ, Trondheim, Norway (23/07/2008 at 06:21)

I can't help but think that one of the main reasons why we often run into trouble in the first few games of a new season is that we pretty much use the pre-season friendlies not to get one team settled, but rather to play a lot of "promising" youngsters who will never make it at United.

Red Lou, Malta (23/07/2008 at 06:39)

Another dismal match by United. nothing more than a training session. What struck me most was that most of the youngsters on show did not do anything to prove they have a place with the seniors. Chris Eagles has not made any progress these past 3 years and like Darron Gibson, Lee Martin, Fraizer Campbell and even Simpson - they seem more and more like Championship players. Both Jon Evans and Ben Foster on the other hand were superb and they can walk into the senior side anytime. Of the oldies on show Mikael Silvestre was unbelievably erratic but Wes Brown, Carrick, Tevez and Rio although not match-fit all gave creditable performances. But we definitely need more than one more player to have a strong 23-man playing squad.

Robbo, N2409 (23/07/2008 at 08:08)

Absolutely dire. The sort of game, in fact, that makes you wonder, given the complete lack of anything approaching what you might call 'talent', if there's any point in even having an academy. Eagles, Martin, Gibson, Campbell - all of them just look like the most journeymen of Championship level journeymen. I know it's only a friendly, with a scratch team and an inevitable lack of cohesion, but I can't thing of one single moment when any of them showed even a flicker of individual skill, a little flash where you thought, "Yeah, he might be a player". And what was the big rush? Why are they all so panicky in possession? Slow down a bit, boys, the ball's not a hot potato, you don't have to lump it forward the second you get the bloody thing. Thank god for Scholes and Rooney, at least they came on and showed what it takes to be a composed and competent footballer. Anyway, rant over - roll on August 17th and some proper first team football!

david allen (23/07/2008 at 09:57)

'Red Dawn' Spot on mate with your comments. Berbatov is sheer class, the type of player who puts bums on seats. Superb first touch, great vision, brings others into play and scores goals. He single handidly tore John Terry to pieces in the Carling Cup semis last season. I would ignore the people on MUTV, they are the type who rarely attend games, and are more likely to be seen in the 'Megastore'-complete waste of space, the lot of them. 'The Berb' was born to play for United.

Gillian England (23/07/2008 at 10:00)

They are not really up to scratch are they ?

Robbo, N2409 (23/07/2008 at 10:19)

In terms of youth football at Utd, the future is definitely Rossi, Pique, Petrucci, Possebon and the Silva twins - ie buying in foreign talent (unsurprisingly, an increasing pattern with all the 'big four'). The English/British players are so dire, there's just no point in even trying. Having said that, there is money to be made in shipping these boys on so maybe it's not a total waste of time. Ps I can't believe people complain about paying £25m for quality like Berbatov when the market rate for a nobody like Frazier Campbell is £5m. By that standard, Berbatov should be worth £100m.

tooth&claw, manchester (23/07/2008 at 10:20)

Robbo, the coaches will have told the players to keep the tempo up. They won't get fit at walking pace. They need intensity and pace, particularly nowadays with such a big squad to condition.

edinburgh red, edinburgh (23/07/2008 at 10:27)

Agree with most of the comments the game was poor to watch and a lot of the new faces playing didn't do a lot to stand out, Gibson gave the ball away about 5 times in about 5 mins, a bit worried with the poor opposition we are playing we aren't creating many chances or scoring goals, also no one seems to be able to go past a player, at least we are avoiding injuries so far as some of there challenges are a bit tasty

tooth&claw, manchester (23/07/2008 at 11:17)

Robbo, we 'buy' foreign kids into the academy because the rules prevent us picking up the best English talent. The rules prevented us signing up youngsters like Bale and Ramsey because they lived too far from OT. Given that we can effectively only recruit kids from Lancashire and Greater Manchester we need to supplement those with higher quality kids where there are no restrictions.

manc abroad, OT (23/07/2008 at 11:28)

Don't understand it really. Youngsters at United do not get many opportunities due to the size of the squad. Yet, when they have a chance of shining and proving themselves, nothing. If they cannor prove themselves in gmes like this then it is time for them to move on.

Robbo, N2409 (23/07/2008 at 11:48)

On a side issue, t&c, as a self-styled trusted friend and confidante of Sir Fergie, do you have any inside track on the plans for Possebon? From the (admittedly, selective) clips I've seen, he just looks far too good for another season stuck in the frenetic, long-ball nightmare that is reserve team football. I know he's not been here long but wasn't he given a first team squad number? Why's he not on tour, then?

the noo Sam Harris, adelaide ,australia (23/07/2008 at 12:08)

Another blockbuster performance, do you have any talent there outside your 1st eleven? Our full academy side would put you away on that performance.

tooth&claw, manchester (23/07/2008 at 12:41)

Robbo, I'm no confidante of Fergie's but he did say to me as I mowed his lawn "That Possebon boy, he has a chance. I'll keep him in the reserves until Christmas. He needs to work on his strength and tackling. I'll send him back to his Mum for Xmas and then he'll join the first team squad in January. That'll be good experience for him. Och, you missed a bit!"

Utd4Ever (23/07/2008 at 12:45)

Robbo, valid point but rightly or wrongly, Rossi and Pique have both been sold. The jury is still out IMO whether these two would have cut it out in the PL. Sure Rossi started strongly for Villareal but he really did fade away after the first 15 matches or so. Of more concern is the general lack of quality among our younger players. Agree with previous comment that Eagles and Martin are in the shop window, simply not good enough. Very disappointed particularly with Gibson who has always been described as a great passer of the ball, far from it. Equally disappointing was Campbell who did his chances of breaking through no good at all, has remarkable pace but this alone won't get him there, which is a shame. Simpson - do not doubt that he has a great attitude but severe lack of quality which was clear for all to see.

Steve, Glossop (23/07/2008 at 13:01)

Thought Carrick was sublime with his intensity & pace. The guy should be made Captain what a leader of men.

Bradley (23/07/2008 at 13:38)

Not Possebon is Rodrigo. Don't you lot watch the reserves? Name on shirt is Rodrigo, he's from Brazil and they don't go by surnames generally.
Not sure why Nani is Nani though as not even a part of his full name?

AS, Ipswich (23/07/2008 at 13:53)

Red Dawn- MUTV phone-in is turning a joke with the same people calling everytime with the same point.If it is not about selling Ronaldo they will chat about not signing Berbatov. I m tired of those which is why i tend to watch old games than listen entirely to the programmes.
Berbatov is a class player although as every player he has defaults.
Regarding last night game, we should start getting rid of players who have had lots of chances to prove themselves like Eagles,Martin,Gibson,Campbell,Simpson and let the twins brazilian,Macheda,Possebon,Wellbeck play most games with the reserves.
Sylvestre is just poor and it will be a good idea to sell him and get a decent left back cover for Evra.
In addition we need a striker(priority), a winger as we are short there with only CR,Nani and Park.I dont count Giggs as he wont offer enough in a season.

Robbo, N2409 (23/07/2008 at 13:58)

Steve, all I could think of watching Carrick last night was, "Do you even enjoy playing football?" I've never come across a player who goes to such extraordinary lengths NOT to involve himself in the game. His stock move is the hesitant one-two with centre-back followed by turn away staring at boots so as to avoid eye contact with everyone while jogging in vague direction of centre circle. Even then, I think he only does the Rio one-twos to keep his passing stats vaguely respectable.

tooth&claw, manchester (23/07/2008 at 14:22)

Bradley, if you saw him interviewed you'd know that he's happy with Rodrigo or Possebon. When the coaches talk about him it's pretty much 60/40 in favour of Rodrigo.

tooth&claw, manchester (23/07/2008 at 14:26)

Robbo, so you didn't see last night's game then? Or maybe you just have a blind spot for Carrick?

What has encouraged me in the preseason minutes he's played has been his willingness to get into the opposing box. Unfortunately, our forwards can barely put two passes together at the moment, so you may not have noticed, as the ball gets sclaffed behind for a goal kick.

Robbo, N2409 (23/07/2008 at 14:26)

t&c, word is Fergie's unhappy with your disloyal briefing against Berbatov and is replacing you with Papa Petrucci. Besides, fancy dan continental gardeners have much better technique.

Steve, Glossop (23/07/2008 at 14:54)

Agreed Robbo it's that attitude that prevents his potential to be seriously good. After 2yrs I'd have expected him to have more assertion & I'm sure Alex has tried.

Robbo, N2409 (23/07/2008 at 15:04)

Utd4Ever, it's players like Simpson who just make me despair. He's 21 now, the (supposed) cream of the crop and yet his basic technique is just non-existent. I don't know for sure, but I assume he's been at Utd for years, has had the benefit of Rene Meulensteen and his much-vaunted skills programme and yet the guy struggles to walk properly, never mind control or pass a football. If he's the best of his intake then we really need to look at what the hell we're doing with youth coaching (which, paradoxically, is supposed to be excellent). Maybe it is just a question of FA restrictions and a lack of decent raw material.

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