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Ryan Giggs has been tasked with the responsibility of being the protective guardian of the Red Devils
The Chosen One is out, the banner has been torn down from the Stretford End, and Manchester United are a shadow of their former selves. It’s been an eventful week at Old Trafford to say the least, but David Moyes’ sacking on Tuesday, at the very least, spares a tortuous end to the season for both the beleaguered man himself as well as Red Devils’ fans.
So accustomed to success have United fans grown under the privileged tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson that to be bereft of hope – let alone any chance of silverware – this early in the season is new ground entirely; well new ground for younger supporters.
Older generations tended to give more weight to Ferguson’s words on the last day of the 2012-season – his retirement – that the new manager of Manchester United would need time in the role, but such has been the level of the club’s slide into mediocrity this season, the Glazers have made the change just 11 months into Moyes’ six-year deal.
It is a massive climbdown for the owners after such a statement of intent, yet a meek loss at the revitalised Everton had a double impact: the defeat ruled out any chance of United qualifying for the lucrative Champions League, but it also showed that the Toffees have already progressed far beyond what Moyes had achieved at Goodison Park with Roberto Martinez now at the helm.
With just four games left of the domestic campaign, Moyes been dispensed with to presumably smooth the path for his successor and the numerous big-money deals the club are hoping to push through this summer.
While fans may want to forget this season ever happened, temporary boss Ryan Giggs still has a job to do – and a fair few United players will feel that they can earn a fresh start at Old Trafford, both under the Welsh wizard and whoever takes over in the long run.
With that in mind, here’s the starting XI the player-manager should pick to face Norwich – a side fighting for their survival in the division.
Goalkeeper: David de Gea
David De Gea in action against Bayern Munich
The 23-year-old Spaniard is one of the few United players to have improved his reputation this season, and while a number of Old Trafford ‘stars’ may already have their minds on the beach this summer, Victor Valdes’ knee injury means De Gea could well earn a place in Spain’s World Cup squad.
The goalkeeper’s average claim success rate has risen from 88 percent last season to 94% this season, and he has still managed to keep 11 clean sheets in 33 league appearances. De Gea has confirmed himself as United’s unquestionable No.1 during this campaign after a battle with Anders Lindegaard last year, and one of the first orders of business for the club – regardless of the identity of the new boss – should be to tie the shot-stopper down to a new long-term deal.
The rebuilding process starts on Saturday for United, and De Gea will form a vital part of that.
Right-back: Chris Smalling
For such a level-headed player, Chris Smalling has been in danger of going off the rails at United this season – and just at a time when he should be looking to nail down a starting role in the first-team. With Nemanja Vidic off to Inter and the futures of Rio Ferdinand and Rafael uncertain, there has never been a better time to make himself indispensable to the club, he has been stuck in numerous disciplinary matters with Moyes.
Despite his indiscretions, Smalling has performed impressively this season, and sits fifth in United’s top performers with a Squawka Performance Score of 509 from 23 league games. With an average of nine Defensive Actions a game as well as a tackle success rate of 60%, the 24-year-old can more than hold his own in the back line.
With a Headed Duel success rate of 65%, he is a threat in the air, and with 12 of 16 take-ons completed, the athletic player also fills in well at right-back – handy given that Rafael is currently injured. With Moyes gone, it is time for Smalling to buckle down and secure his future at Old Trafford.
Centre-back: Jonny Evans
Chelsea’s Samuel Eto’o (L) vies for the ball against Manchester United’s Northern Irish defender Jonny Evans (R)
With Vidic, Ferdinand and Evra all looking their age this year, one has to feel for Moyes given that he was denied the services of Evans for significant chunks of his brief tenure at United. The 26-year-old has only made 17 league appearances this season, but has recorded impressive statistics: Evans has made an average of 10 Defensive Actions per game, while winning 17 of 23 tackles.
With 67% of his headers won and just one foul given away – winning 11 in return – the centre-back is a strong, tactical presence in the back line, while he can also use the ball. With four successful take-ons and a pass completion rate of 87%, United have lacked his stability in a weak defence, and while he is unreliable in terms of fitness, Evans is undoubtedly a talented centre-back.
Centre-back: Phil Jones
The 2013-14 campaign has been a trying one for Phil Jones – he has veered between the composed and the ridiculous at times: one minute he looks a world-beater, and the next, a raw youngster in need of guidance. The 22-year-old has made 23 league appearances for United this season, and his last two games sum up his season perfectly – he impressed at Newcastle to record a Performance Score of 50, and then clumsily gave away a penalty at Everton as United lost, posting a personal score of -8.
Jones clearly has potential, and is learning the ropes at United – the trouble is that one rarely gets the time to do so at the champions, as Moyes swiftly found out. Like Smalling and Evans, Jones has a golden chance to establish himself as United phase out their older defenders, and Jones offers United the chance to develop a supremely well-rounded professional. With the season over in terms of aims, the Norwich game is a perfect chance for Jones to continue his development on the big stage at Old Trafford.
Left-back: Alexander Buttner
The Dutch left-back has become a figure of fun for both rival fans and United supporters alike, but in truth he is a hard player to define. Major defensive lapses like the one against Everton to play Kevin Mirallas onside for the second goal will surely cost him the opportunity to cement a starting role at Old Trafford, but Buttner certainly has talent – he marshalled Arjen Robben well in the first leg of United;s Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich, and shone away at West Ham.
Norwich will present a chance for Buttner to drive at a weakened defence, and he could thrive against the Canaries with five of nine take-ons completed – the trouble for Giggs is that the left-back switches off far too often, and could be punished on Saturday.
Buttner may well move on in the summer, but given Patrice Evra’s fitness, the 25-year-old is realistically Giggs’ only option on the left of defence. It is a great chance for the Dutchman to put himself in the shop window for this summer, and a chance he will undoubtedly relish.
Defensive Midfield: Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick needs to command the the midfield and help Giggs in his first game as interim manager
Once again Michael Carrick has been United’s standout performer this season – the trouble is that so few of his teammates sought to put in the same standard as the midfielder. The 32-year-old is top of United;s rankings with a Performance Score of 817, largely down to his 88% passing accuracy and 74 interceptions in 25 appearances, allowing his to dictate the tempo in the centre despite the increasingly desperate efforts of his fellow players.
With Tom Cleverley and Marouane Fellaini not up to the task, Carrick has been forced to carry the midfield, and while he has been short of his own fine standards at times, the England international is still first-choice at Old Trafford. He has been the Top Man in Team and Best in Possession on six occasions, and Giggs will know that for United to dominate Norwich, Carrick should be pulling the strings.
Defensive Midfield: Darren Fletcher
The Scotland captain has battled back admirably from ulcerative colitis to earn a spot in United’s first-team once again, and the side would benefit from his snap in the centre against what will surely be a more adventurous Norwich outfit than usual.
With the Canaries battling for survival, Giggs will know that he needs experience and professionalism in the centre, and Fletcher offers that in spades. With 14 interceptions in 10 games and six of 14 tackles won, Fletcher works extremely hard off the ball, while retaining possession extremely well, clocking in a passing accuracy of 89%.
The 30-year-old has never been a flashy player, even when scoring doubles against the likes of Arsenal, yet perhaps in these chaotic days after Moyes, that is exactly what United need. Paul Scholes has already been recalled to the club as a coach, and Fletcher will offer the midfield a sense of rhythm and order that, while lacking the panache of more illustrious opponents, will allow his more talented teammates to shine.
Like so many others, Fletcher’s role at the club will be unclear when a new coach comes in, but for now, Giggs should put his trust in a familiar face – and Fletcher rarely falters when the going gets tough.
Attacking Midfield Left: Danny Welbeck
Much has been said over Welbeck’s future over the past few weeks – the Manchester-born youth academy graduate seems forever tied to the club and the fans, but ties strained so far with Moyes that the striker was thought to be open to leaving Old Trafford this summer.
But with The Chosen One turfed out, Giggs’ first choice should be to reinstall Welbeck to the starting XI to prove he still has a role at the club. The 23-year-old has struck nine times in 22 appearances this season, and while those stats pale in comparison to other forwards this term, he has often been used out wide by Moyes to stretch opposition defences, as he did to great impact against Bayern at Old Trafford.
Nine goals from 30 shots is a good return for any player, and Welbeck has suffered 26 fouls as opposed to giving away 10 – it is clear he is a handful for any back line, and defenders simply do not like his combination of pace, power and eye for goal. His costly miss against Pep Guardiola’s men proves he still has much to work on, but Welbeck’s future surely lies in Manchester, and Giggs should make that clear on Saturday.
Attacking Midfield Centre: Juan Mata
The responsibility of adding the creative spark will be squarely on Juan Mata
And so Mata becomes the last player David Moyes ever signed for Manchester United – an odd honour to have, yet the Spaniard must concentrate on the future. That may be difficult given that his old Chelsea teammates are 90 minutes from a Champions League final, but he has finally settled in at Old Trafford, and is beginning to repay his £37.1million fee.
With Robin van Persie injured, Mata was allowed the freedom of his preferred central role by Moyes, and his ability shone through against Newcastle and Aston Villa. The 25-year-old was unable to unlock Everton’s stubborn defence, though Mata has proven pedigree, and Norwich will not enjoy his movement and vision in the middle that has earned him an 88% passing accuracy.
The Old Trafford faithful will be hoping there is much, much more to come from Mata, and while the initial signs have been promising, the final few games of a dead season will be a real test of his commitment to his new club. He also has a World Cup squad to try and play his way into, after all.
Attacking Midfield Right: Adnan Januzaj
The United starlet looks set to declare his intention to play for Belgium, by all accounts, and the World Cup dark horses will be gaining a prodigiously gifted player. Just one season training with the first team has seen him become one of United’s chief creative players, though that in truth says as much about the club’s lack of options as it does the 19-year-old’s potential.
Januzaj has scored four goals and created three more in 24 league appearances, while completing 40 of 80 take-ons and winning 54 fouls. The youngster’s shooting is somewhat erratic at times at 41%, and he has blasted the ball over the bar when a simple pass was the better option, yet he is learning on the job.
Giggs selecting Januzaj would be a statement of intent for the future, and reaffirm his decision to sign a long-term deal at Old Trafford earlier this season. With the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona interested, United will have to offer Januzaj regular football and at least the promise of competing for silverware in the near future – a start against Norwich is no cup final, but it is a start.
Striker: Javier Hernandez
Javier Hernandez will hope to have more playing time under the new regime
The Little Pea’ has lost the smile that so endeared him to United fans earlier in his Old Trafford career, and it is easy to see why. The Mexico international was all but shunned by Moyes, despite United crying out for goals this season.
Hernandez has made 21 league appearances for United this term, but only five starts – and he only completed 90 minutes in two of those games. Chicharito scored against Aston Villa and Newcastle either side of being left out of the Bayern clash at Old Trafford, and then sat on the bench at the Allianz Arena while Wayne Rooney waddled around on a damaged toe. Such a decision would incense any self-respecting striker, and it would be no surprise if the poacher had instructed his agent to find a suitable club once the teamsheet was posted.
The truth is that Hernandez’s future will remain unclear until a full-time manager is appointed, but until then, Giggs should do everything in his powers to persuade Hernandez he has a future at Old Trafford. The striker’s goals have proved vital to the club in the past, and with Robin van Persie’s age, fitness and temperament all counting against him, the Mexican could have a chance to climb the pecking order at the club.
With Rooney out of form and fitness, there is no use in using him on Saturday – even if it is just for four final games, Old Trafford will want to see Hernandez’s trademark smile a few more times yet.
