The Hargreaves Risk
After a chase lasting one year, Sir Alex has finally bagged Owen Hargreaves and moved a step closer towards the tactical transformation of his side.
The traumatic Champions League defeat in Milan, which robbed United of a third European final under Ferguson’s reign, can only have hardened the manager’s belief in the qualities the English midfield anchor will bring to his side.
The former Bayern star is certainly no weak heart. Battle hardened after 145 Bundesliga games and a Champions League victor in 2001, Hargreaves has the character to withstand the match by match trial that awaits him next season. He has survived the ridicule of England fans and was one of the few England players to emerge with credit from last year’s World Cup.
Hargreaves tenacity and diligence will be harnessed to the polish of Scholes and the passing skills of Carrick, to give United more dynamism and authority in midfield, ushering to the sidelines the 4-4-2 formation which has been written into United’s DNA for the past 50 years.
Michael Carrick has his hopes pinned on this being United’s preferred line up next term and has reacted positively to the imminent arrival of his England colleague.
“We are at the world’s biggest club and we want the best players,” he said. “We need a big squad. That has been proved this season when you are fighting on all fronts.World-class players will strengthen you and Owen is a top player.”
“I am very happy with my first season. I have played over 50 games, got to the semi-final of the Champions League, won the league and have got to the FA Cup final. It is something special. It has been my best season by far.
“I didn’t set out looking at a certain number of games I just wanted to play. I just wanted to get into the team to start with and establish myself as much as I could.
“I think my consistency has improved. I am a relaxed and laid back player so initially I wasn’t going to come in and be in your face. I was just trying to fit in and find my space in the team and get to know the lads’ games.
“The longer the season went on the more influence I have had. I started to take on more responsibility as I bedded in and felt comfortable. I enjoyed that. The bigger the games you have to step up and thankfully in the big games I played pretty well.”
The £18 million player’s attitude is commendable. Hargreaves and Carrick are both considered defensive midfielders and it is Hargreaves who keeps Carrick out of the England team.
Sir Alex’s regard for Carrick is such that the United boss is likely to find room for both players when the important fixtures arrive. The FA Cup defeat against Chelsea and the appearance of Darren Fletcher as part of a midfield trio, give a strong hint as to Ferguson’s thinking.
Otherwise, Carrick might be the first casualty of any revision to the old system, with its accent on greater penetration from the flanks. The critical mauling that followed United’s extra-time defeat at Wembley, demonstrates the risk Ferguson is taking in adding Hargreaves for a fee that is surely more than twice the sum warranted by the player’s talents. The Roma demolition apart, United’s success this season has been forged on 4-4-2. United have rarely convinced when asked to adapt to the more conservative line-up, which places great store on defensive security and less emphasis on the enterprising wing play that has distinguished United down the years. Watching United square passing in midfield, whilst Rooney laboured alone up front against Chelsea, was a terrifying vision of the future.
The manager’s success entitles him to the benefit of the doubt but Hargreaves will start the season with much to prove. Carrick too, has it all to do again.
Read: The Long Chase
