After the 6-1 hiding in the game I don’t like to mention too much, the Reds have clawed back some respectability.
It hasn’t been that pretty and we haven’t played that well either but the fact is we’ve secured six Premier League points and have kept clean sheets in all four matches since the derby.
No matter the size and stature of the matches, it was vital against Aldershot, Everton, Otelul Galati and Sunderland that United remained intact and won the games.
It has been job done so far in the post-derby rehab.
When you are recovering from the shock of such a hammering as the City match, it is vital to restore both faith and confidence.
The Reds are slowly but surely repairing some of the damage so having a two-week rest at this stage of the season is far from ideal.
But looking ahead, Sir Alex Ferguson has always said that once the campaign settles down after the fragmented start due to internationals, then United can kick on.
When they start back against Swansea a week on Saturday, United must maintain the repair work being undertaken.
To that end, I would like to see Fergie continue with the Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic central defensive partnership which was restored against Sunderland.
The younger defenders like Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have done great jobs but for this next chunk of the season as the winter kicks in, I think requires some old heads in the rearguard.
It is ludicrous the amount of flak that has come Ferdinand’s way this season. Vidic, too, has copped for some criticism as well.
Vidic, of course, has been injured for a lot of the season, and Rio’s form hasn’t always been what we’d previously come to expect.
But they have been the best central defensive pair in this country for a number of years now and although they are getting older, there is now way they should be discarded.
They looked decent again together against Sunderland and I think they are just what is needed over this coming winter period.
It’s a shame that Rio has been overlooked by England for the friendlies against Spain and Sweden and that Nemanja has retired from international football with Serbia because it would have been good for both of them to get more games under their belt instead of twiddling their thumbs in the break doing some training.
I would have liked the United pair to carry on having playing.
However, when the domestic campaign resumes, I think you’ll see the Anglo-Serbian axis back in place for as long as possible.
There has been a lot of chopping and changing in the Reds’ defence but now is the time when a regular core of the rearguard is needed.
Sir Alex has said that Rio no longer has that electric yard of pace.
Maybe he hasn’t, but when that happens all players know that other things naturally take over - such as experience and possessing a keen footballing brain.
Ferdinand has both and he must play a major part for the Reds. The younger lads will be there to provide back up, but a Ferdinand-Vidic partnership a can only be a good thing for the Reds.
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Vidic and Ferdinand are the way to go for now but the future belongs to Evans, Smalling and Jones. Vida is the best defender in the way and will maintain his spot for years to come but Rio is already under pressure and needs to keep up his game.
Thats right!! Bring in Smalling and Jones behind them. Evans should have to prove his worth to play for the first team. The younger duo already have so should be played ahead of him.
...Jones and Smalling are our centre back pair for the future. If Evans is still about, he can play back-up.
Smalling & Evans are the guys for CB, Jones will play as a defensive midfield
the best central defensive pair in this country for some time now
come on sadler being biased is ok but to write utter nonsence is not, if they were the best defensive partnership how come other teams have let in less goals?
how come man u have allowed other teams more shots on goals?
typical arrogant rag commentator sees everything through tinted glasses
wake up, smell the coffee and look at the stats over the last few seasons
p scoops
take a look at our defensive record over the last 6 years it is probably the best in pl and cl.
a fit vidic/ferdinand is not the pl best combination its the worlds best.
If saf continues with ferdinand, in the big games that are on the way, it will be a costly mistake.
Neven Subotic please. m,vila, Martinez, etc,
ferdinand's good but jones should be ahead of him as he's faster
Ferdinand and Vidic should continue as they have proved they have the best CB partnership over the last two years. Until they should continue. When it does eventually happen, only then should Jones or Smalling be introduced until Vidic retires then they other young CB can come in. Like I said before, until Evans proves he is better than wither of the other young CBs, he should be playing back-up for them, just covering for injuries or when one of them needs a rest.