Finding Keano
Given the recent performances and the clamour for a CDM during the transfer window. It got me thinking that really United haven't really had a world class midfielder since Roy Keane who played his last match 16 years ago. I loved Keane. He was the epitome of that great side and arguably the heartbeat of the team. Since then we've tried dozens of combinations with mixed success and muddled through. People rave about Carrick but I never warmed to him completely. He never quite had it in the real top matches and I believe he was fundamental to the the loss vs Barcelona in the 2011 CL Final. HAving said that there isn't really anyone that has rivalled him since then. We've tried so many players in that role without seeming to hit on the right formula.
Think of the players we've tried
Anderson, Fletcher, O'Shea, Giggs, Kleberson, Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin, Matic, Fred, Fellaini, Hargreaves, Herrera, Pogba, Nick Powell, Liam Miller, van der Beek, McTominay.
Why is it so hard to find a player to play that DCM role?
Last season we saw predominance of McFred since the humbling defeat to Tottenham but whilst it brought some solidity and positional discipline its just not progressive. Opposing teams know how to play against it. Pogba can't be trusted in that role because he doesn't do the work and lacks the discipline, plus it neuters his creativity. Matic is laborious, positionally quite good, a better passer but desperately one sided and not mobile enough. Is the problem coaching and set up? Or are they just not good enough. I'm at a loss and the signing of Ronaldo is not papering over the Keano sized chasm