Repurposing Resources

After two summers of sitting on around £80M, the wallet has been opened.

If rumors are to be believed, a fourth summer signing, to follow in the footsteps of Phil Jones (CB), Ashley Young (wing), and David De Gea (GK), is still to come to Old Trafford. If that name happens to be Sneijder (unlikely) or Nasri (no thanks), then United’s spending for 2011 will actually surpass the funds brought in from Cristiano Ronaldo’s sale to Real Madrid.

But I really have to ask ... Is that necessary? With a wealth of talent in several departments, most notably centerback and striker, United could probably field three squads capable of competing well in the Premier League. What’s more, if one were to look at the travelling party for the Summer 2011 tour, you would find 7 players capable of playing up front(Rooney, Berbatov, Owen, Macheda, Diouf, Giggs, Young) and two more (Chicharito, Welbeck, Bébé) on holiday or on loan. No team, not even Real Madrid, needs that many frontmen.


ORGANIZATIONAL EFFICIENCY
Let’s face facts. Businesses around the world are trying to find ways of doing things more efficiently. We’re doing it in my newsroom and, though painful, sometimes it really is for the best. Do better, do more, with less. And in this case, the mantra can actually give more flexibility to those at Old Trafford.
With much of the discussion surrounding who should replace Paul Scholes (not actually possible), the solution is actually within his own squad. And, to quote a famous tune, “He goes by the name of Wayne Rooney.”

Wazza has proven time and again that he possesses the potential to one day match Scholes’ outlandish passing ability. As his confidence grew in 2010/11, he began pinging 50-yard passes so often, he could’ve been mistaken for the Ginger Prince. And, of course, Rooney is more than adept at tracking back into the midfield and even defensive third when necessary. And, partially illustrated by the photo above, he’s shown us that he’s a more mature player than he’s ever been.

So maybe, just maybe, it’s time to repurpose our talisman as the next 15-20 goal midfielder. With games under his belt in the center of the park, Rooney could be a lethal set-up man. Able to drift out-wide, he would compliment the roaming tendencies of Ashley Young. His goal in the Champions League Final proved he has that edge-of-the-box instinct. And with him sending passes into three of the Premier League’s best poachers in Berbatov, Chicharito, and Owen, Fergie could be spoilt for choice.

IS IT A WASTE?
Some, of course, would argue that Rooney’s talents would be wasted in the center of the park. But if we’re using FC Barcelona as our barometer (and that seems to be the one the media has picked), then if anything, it should be reinforcing my point.
As far as I’m concerned, Barça’s best player is not Lionel Messi, but rather Xavi. With an attacker’s mindset, Xavi runs the game, drifts to the top of the box when necessary, and is always looking for the killer ball, be it a shot or a pass. He too could score 30-40 goals in La Liga if he played up front. But Pep Guardiola knows better. Vicente Del Bosque knows better. Xavi, for his work ethic, first touch and eye for the deadly, works best in the team’s engine room.

Wayne Rooney could fill that same role for Manchester United. Just as Xavi takes pride in lifting trophies and setting up Messi, Rooney could one day captain United and be assisting on Chicharito and Danny Welbeck goals for 10 years to come. Scholes could net 20 goals in his hay day. Let’s give Wayne a shot and see if he can do it too.