Should Fergie Now Rethink Following Ole’s Retirement
Should Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s retirement force Sir Alex’s to rethink his decision not to buy a new striker?
The Times suggested today that the end of the Norwegian’s playing career will stretch United’s attacking resources still further.
“The 34-year-old bowed to the inevitable after consultation with medical staff and is expected to confirm the news today, with concern about the impact on Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad outweighed by the sense of loss felt by all at Old Trafford.
“In the short term, his retirement creates a problem for Ferguson, who has been concerned in recent weeks that his striker department is undermanned. Although he signed Carlos Tévez from West Ham United earlier this month, Ferguson sold Alan Smith to Newcastle United and Giuseppe Rossi to Villarreal and has since lost Wayne Rooney to a hairline fracture of the foot for at least another fortnight.
“United recently put feelers out through favoured agents in the hope of finding a new centre forward, but their principal target, Dimitar Berbatov, of Tottenham, is not for sale at present. Nicolas Anelka, of Bolton Wanderers, remains an option, albeit one that Ferguson has been ambivalent about since an informal initial inquiry in June.”
The article is a valiant attempt at selling panic but no more than that. Ferguson must have been informed of Ole’s decision last week, just as he was dampening speculation that he would be buying a new striker before deadline day in the transfer market.
Last season, Solskjaer was the perfect substitute and it is remarkable that he scored 11 goals in just 13 full appearances.
His presence on the bench will be missed. Who do United turn to now – Dong Fangzhou?
Sir Alex will trust that the return to fitness of Rooney and Saha and the availability of Ronaldo after suspension will give him enough firepower with which to go after Chelsea, currently enjoying a five point lead at the Premiership’s summit.
