Manchester United 2007/2008

Surprised he said LB, I thought RB is more of an issue? Unless he wants to continue with Brown or Pique there

Well Neville is back. Brown has done a decent if unspectacular job. Then we have O'Shea, Simpson or Pique who can play there.

Other than Evra we only have O'Shea who can possibly play left back, not to mention Silvestre may leave the squad anyway next summer.

Makes perfect sense to buy a young LB happy to be back up to Evra.

Can you think of any LB though?

Hutton

He's a RB, but Manchester United should sign him.

EMPortuguese wrote:Hutton

He's a RB.

@ DS

Not really, though I don't get paid to do scouting for the club.

Pander is one(24 though remember the shot) I can think of or Lahm , he wants to play abroad after this season and is 50/50 to stay.

But Lahm won't accept coming as back up surely.

Like Saints said we should of got Bale, he could of played left wing as well. Maybe Shorey?

Hutton is a better option than O'Shea

Hutton is a RIGHT BACK!

We are talking of left backs.

Lahm can play RB too as he is a right footer.

Dont rate Shorey , I dont think hes got the technical ability and its about time Man Utd get a German.

Hutton also will cost 8 m while O Shea was a youth product.

The modern day full back can play both sides or haven't you noticed?

Dark Savante wrote:Lahm can play RB too as he is a right footer.

Dont rate Shorey , I dont think hes got the technical ability and its about time Man Utd get a German.

Fair point, he could cover both positions and eventually take the RB role full time.

We really could do with a player who could play both full back positions but much better than O'Shea can.

EMPortuguese wrote:Hutton is a better option than O'Shea

Sure is but O’Shea is one of those utility players you seem to have around. Saw Hutton in 2 games (against Italy at Hampden Park and against Lyon at the Stade Gerland) He is a talent been linked with Manchester United recently (Neville wont be around for ever and sadly injuries have crept in) Manchester United should look into signing him next summer, though Rangers wont let him go cheap. Haven’t seen him play at LB, not sure if he can. But he will be signed (if he is) as a RB.

The only negative by having Lahm and Evra as our full backs is that opposition will target their height.

Dark Savante wrote:The only negative by having Lahm and Evra as our full backs is that opposition will target their height.

Why, even at times last season he'd still pick Silvestre.

Stumped.

Alan Hutton is having a fantastic season so far. He has undoubtedly been one of the chief beneficiaries during the recent upturn in fortunes for both Rangers and the Scotland national team. He’ll turn 23 years old on November 30th, with his recent performances ensuring the young man is getting plenty of attention.

Attack-minded, tall and athletic - the right-back appears to have the world at his feet. Although not a goal machine, his strong, opportunistic runs and commitment to his defensive duties have made him a standout for club and country this season.

Quietly confident and clearly capable of changing games with his surging runs and close control, comparisons have been made in the media between Hutton and Brazil legend Cafu. Granted, this may be a premature assessment of the abilities of a man with only six international caps, but shows that he has caught the imagination of the media and punters alike.

In the wider world, the majority of fans won’t know where this assured and confident player has been hiding. A professional footballer since 2002, Hutton has undergone a massive transformation this season. The hotly tipped Scot has made his journey to the top difficult, with self-destructive tendencies and injury troubles marring his early career.

Beginnings

Born in Glasgow in 1984, Alan grew up in a southwestern area of the city called Penilee. Like many Scottish youngsters, playing football was a welcome escape from life in a deprived council housing estate.

He began his career as a trainee with Rangers at their £14 million training complex, Murray Park. He made his debut in the 02/03 season in a 2-1 win at Firhill Stadium over the Gers’ other Glasgow rivals, Partick Thistle.

With Dutchman Fernando Ricksen an undisputed starter at the club, the hot prospect made sporadic appearances in the first team. He had featured 24 times in all competitions for the Glasgow giants by the end of the 04/05 season, scoring one goal in a home victory against Dunfermline.

Hothead

Hutton’s world was turned on its head during a match at Ibrox in February 2005. In the first half of a 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock, Hutton lost the ball to opponent Gary Hay on the halfway line. Typical of his youthful recklessness, Hutton immediately lunged into an unnecessary challenge, sending Hay flying. It was the Rangers player, however, who was carried off – booked as he lay on the stretcher - with his leg in a splint.

The Rangers fans groaned knowingly, as the player had a reputation for brainless play, despite flashes of brilliance. Of course, no player should have to sit out the rest of a season due to one moment of madness. This injury and subsequent rehabbing may very well have been the making of the now unflappable international.

It is perhaps a testament to Hutton’s character that he was able to return from a serious leg break and still be the same player, if not better. The treatment room at Ibrox is becoming something of a black hole for talented youngsters. Steven Smith and Chris Burke were perhaps considered better prospects that Hutton by most, yet remain sidelined while Hutton is lauded.

Stalled Development

The 05/06 season proved to be one of mixed fortunes for Rangers. Rangers believed they had pulled off a massive coup by appointing former Lyon boss Paul Le Guen as their new manager.

It would soon become apparent that Le Guen was not adapting well to the SPL or the mentality of the Scottish players in general. Hutton’s career was stalled under the new regime, which turned to on-loan Manchester Utd signing Phil Bardsley after disposing of Ricksen.

Fortunately for Alan, Englishman Bardsley proved to be even more of a firebrand. When Le Guen unceremoniously left Ibrox, new boss Walter Smith reinstated his countryman and Hutton’s stock has continued to rise since.

During the 06/07 season, he made 44 appearances in a breakthrough season, netting twice. He received his first international cap when he came off the bench during a friendly against Austria in May.

He put pen to paper on a new 5-year-contract in the summer, which the Rangers faithful will be desperate for him to see out.

Key Player

Despite his achievements so far, this season started somewhat ominously for Hutton. With Rangers struggling to break down Montenegrins FK Zeta in a crucial Champions League qualifier, Hutton was almost the Gers’ undoing once again. He was booked twice in the space of a minute – first for a foul and then for charging down the resultant free-kick.

Thankfully for Scottish football, this dismissal proved to be an isolated incident and both club and player have gone from strength to strength. Indeed, having disposed of Zeta, some of Hutton’s best performances have come in the subsequent Group E ties.

His right wing rampages have caused havoc in the defences of the Euro elite. Against Stuttgart, he sat up Charlie Adam’s goal after a trademark run and went on to win a penalty. He then starred in the 3-0 shock win at Lyon, winning the corner that led to McCulloch’s goal and assisting Daniel Cousin as the Glasgow side shocked the French.

Stability has certainly helped Hutton to improve this term. In Walter Smith and Alex McLeish, he has the benefit of working under two of the most respected Scottish managers in the game. Conversely, Hutton’s competence at both ends of the pitch is a key factor in why both Scotland and Rangers are able to employ a fairly negative 4-5-1 formation and still create chances to win the big games.

The Future

It is perhaps ironic that it was the reformed Hutton who gave away the notorious late free-kick that led to Italy’s winner at Hampden in Scotland’s final Euro 2008 qualifier. Yet there would be no maligning of Scotland’s new hero on this occasion. The country felt his pain and anger as he hopelessly protested a harsh decision. The media, too, turned their resentment towards the referee as Panucci’s ensuing headed goal controversially ended Scotland’s campaign.

Tongues have been wagging this week as rumors about Hutton’s future continue to circulate. A host of Premiership clubs - headed by Newcastle, Spurs and Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester Utd – are reportedly waiting to swoop.

What remains certain is that Alan Hutton can become an elite player if he continues to maintain his discipline. Due to players like Hutton, Scotland’s improved standing in world football will see them in the second pot for the European section of the World Cup 2010 qualifying draw. Whether at Rangers or in the Premiership, Scotland’s apparent answer to Cafu will be one to watch in the coming years.

The main point is I want some Germans playing for Man Utd.
Mario Gomez , Lahm etc.

Germans tend to fail at Manchester United

The one I am naming wont.

Gomez ?

Manchester United could go for Huntelaar next summer

You must of heard of Mario Gomez Rai , tall atheltic pacy and a very good finisher , one of the reasons Stuttgart won the title last yr.

Huntelaar lacks pace.

Gomez is he the Spanish striker?

Dark Savante wrote:You must of heard of Mario Gomez Rai , tall atheltic pacy and a very good finisher , one of the reasons Stuttgart won the title last yr.

Huntelaar lacks pace.

I know Gomez, but I read he would like a move to Spain, but I wouldn’t be dead against him moving to Man United, the price could be a question. Huntelaar is not that slow but he’s not grease lighting.

He would cost the same as Huntelaar would though , Huntelaar wont come cheap either.

Dark Savante wrote:He would cost the same as Huntelaar would though , Huntelaar wont come cheap either.

Has Gomez spoke more about where his future could be? Surely one or two other German clubs could be sniffing around. But again I would take him. Then we can all sing ‘Farewell’ to Louis ‘eight chances’ Saha.

Not that I am aware of , Angie(Wiebke) would be more aware of it , but dont let her hear about this.

Don’t worry just tap him up (its not illegal if you don’t get caught) and pretend the status quo is still being maintained No one would be the wiser (even Anglo) . Would he be a regular for Germany at Euro 2008, this could be the perfect shop window sadly he hasn’t shone in the Champions League this season.

I wouldn't knock Gomez's CL record too much. He has got three goals in just four games, despite his side being fairly hopeless in most of those games. After a slow start to the season he has now scored quite a few goals and was in good form before his recent injury. He has stayed under the radar of many football fans in this country but I think he would be a good signing for you. Hopefully it doesn't happen, I wouldn't want to see him play for Man Utd and the Bundesliga won't benefit from having the sides who could possibly challenge Bayern weakened by having their players taken away by the financial clout of other leagues.

I’m sorry but this is the reality of Football now, the core teams take players from the periphery (or semi-periphery teams) the core teams look after their self interests.