Sun: Steven Howard - Post Wembley Reaction …
Ferguson has to purchase a world-class striker to both partner and take the weight off Wayne Rooney, who ran himself into the ground without complaint at Wembley.
United have always been at their best with an orthodox 4-4-2 — a couple of quick wingers to run at defences and two forwards who complement each other.
Ferguson hoped Louis Saha would be the answer. With 12 goals by December 9, the Frenchman was proving him right. But for one reason or another — moaning he was never quite 100 per cent fit and having his nose put out of joint when Henrik Larsson joined — Saha has fallen out with his boss.
So Ferguson will have to look elsewhere for the player to score the goals once put away so regularly by Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Top of his list will be Samuel Eto’o, the razor-sharp finisher from Barcelona.
Failing him, someone at that same level. United always bang on about being the biggest and greatest club in the world but, since the premature retirement of Eric Cantona, when have they acquired the overseas players that reflect this?
Van Nistelrooy, certainly. And, yes, Cristiano Ronaldo has now emerged as a true star — though, in a match that counted, he did another disappearing act on Saturday.
Who else? Juan Sebastian Veron?
Ronaldinho slipped through their fingers at the last minute while moves for Robben and Mikel John Obi were scuppered by the weight of Abramovich’s cheque-book.
But with Chelsea stating their intention to rein in on the big transfers, the coast should be clear for United to land the big-hitter they need.
As for midfield, Owen Hargreaves will provide elbow grease in the engine-room alongside the ageless Paul Scholes, United’s best player against Chelsea.
Which will lead to an unhappy Michael Carrick. At the same time, when does Carrick actually hurt class opposition?
And, finally, Ferguson.
Despite winning the Premiership, United fans can often be heard questioning the negativity of his team selection in Europe.
And, for that matter, on Saturday when he started with just Rooney up front.
Ferguson is accused of paying too much respect to the opposition, pandering to their strengths, sending out teams to counter them rather than playing to his own.
Thus we have the sight of a one-man attack and Rooney on the right wing.
Then, again, many see the dead hand of Carlos Queiroz in this.
Dead hand, dead horses. Now is the time for fresh blood to propel United over the final fence that separates good from great.
