United may make striker change

Friday, 03/06/2011

by Amit Mistry, Shoot's Manchester United blogger

With news this week that Michael Owen has signed a one-year extension to his contract, it provides us with a glimpse of the attacking set-up for next season.

United already possess an effective strike partnership in Rooney and Hernandez, and that can only become better, especially as Hernandez has completed his transition into the Premier League.

I believe Rooney has experienced his bad patch of form during this season, and he did return to form in the latter stages of this season. He will be back to his absolute best next season, and will feel confident in playing alongside a burgeoning talent like Chicharito.

Ferguson’s ideal situation for his squad is to have four good strikers which he can call upon like in the treble-winning season of 1999, where he has Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solkjaer.

With three confirmed strikers, the fourth established striker is Dimitar Berbatov. However, being left out for the Champions League Final altogether is a strong indication that he may be leaving in the summer. Berbatov arrived at a high price of £30m, and yet he cannot command a first team place.

The likelihood is that he will be cashed in whilst there is reported interest from Bayern Munich, Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur.

Recalling one of this season’s loaned out youngsters to become the fourth striker may be the preferred option. Out of Danny Welbeck, Federico Macheda and Mame Biram Diouf, it is the England Under-21 hot shot who has impressed the most this season.

Ferguson rates Welbeck very highly and has great faith that he can develop into a fine player. If he does return to Old Trafford, he will need to be patient and bide his time in cup competitions and short substitute appearances.

I strongly believe that Sir Alex will not dip into his transfer war-chest this season to buy a striker as his priorities is to buy a replacement goalkeeper and strengthen the midfield.

Michael Owen has one more season in him to be an impact striker and he can mentor the younger players. Ferguson does prefer the organic approach of team building, in that he wants to develop a crop of young players and embed them as part of Manchester United’s history, philosophy and legacy.

With Macheda and Diouf having low-key loan spells, it is possible that they could be given another chance at a different club. On the other hand, they could face the chop as the squad does require trimming of its peripheral players.

This season’s flop signing was Bebe. A poor recommendation by former assistant manager, Carlos Queiroz, Bebe has been another bad mistake like Manucho. It is all fair and well in trying to unearth hidden gems like Chicharito, but there must be greater vigilance in signing unknown players which come attached with unusually high transfer values.

I expect no big signings in the striking department, but we will see a rejuvenated Rooney, a young Mexican who will try to hit a 25-goal target for the season, and new and more mature Welbeck.

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