Chris Smalling

[Tielemans63]

Just seen his cock up v Basel and it got me thinking that he's a made a rick almost everytime I've seen him play. To me he doesn't look especially comfortable playing for United.

Don't get me wrong, he's a good player but England's next    

right back? Do me a favour - Micah Richards is twice the player.

[Libertine Dream]

Not a Right Back really, should be playing centre half. Fergie failed to sign a decent midfielder, so Utd are no where near good enough in that area creatively so Jones has to play there instead of being at RB. They needed Sneijder, Fergie may struggle to leave on a high, City will pull away after this year and Chelsea after a year with AVB will be very good next year

[Tielemans63]

I agree with you that Fergie has stayed on too long - he's in danger of destroying his own legacy.

[Guest ttfn]

This all got said in 2005 when United were knocked out I'm the groups and Chelsea were on the rise.

They won 4 of the next 6 league titles and a Champions League after

[Fox92]

I still cannot believe Micah Richard's gets overlooked so much. Both Smalling and Walker seem to get in front of Richards, who I feel is twice the player. I've seen Smalling get caught out a lot, but he is out of position at right back. I seem to think Ferguson failed to replace Scholes, that's why I think he play's Jones in that position.

Can you see Manchester United winning anything this year? I can't. Already out of the Champions League and Carling Cup, both of which to teams they should be beating really. They are playing abit of catch up in the League, whilst they may struggle in the FA Cup third round against rivals Manchester City. That leaves the Europa League I think, and it will most probably be a United v City final as well, if that is possible.

[VinceNoir]

Richards is an amazing player and he's a tank! Not too impressed by Smalling, but he may still come good. However, a lot of United's players look shite at the moment. Ferdinand and Evra are poor. Rooney hasn't scored for a while and missed a massive chance yesterday. Young hasn't done anything of any relevance since the 8-2 game. It wouldn't surprise me if City walk the league and Spurs finish second, but having said that, never underestimate Fergie

[Guest MattP]

This all got said in 2005 when United were knocked out I'm the groups and Chelsea were on the rise.

They won 4 of the next 6 league titles and a Champions League after

That's not happening again mind with Citys spending power, the golden generation have truly gone and Fergie really has started buying some shit lately, maybe he doesn't have the drive anymore.

Richards is good but I've heard he won't get picked for England as he is a bit of a tosser and a nightmare to be around, might not be true but would make sense as to why he is overlooked.

[VinceNoir]

That's not happening again mind with Citys spending power, the golden generation have truly gone and Fergie really has started buying some shit lately, maybe he doesn't have the drive anymore.

Richards is good but I've heard he won't get picked for England as he is a bit of a tosser and a nightmare to be around, might not be true but would make sense as to why he is overlooked.

You may be right, but seeing some of the Manchester City videos on YouTube he seems like a brilliant guy. I know I'm only basing this on YouTube videos, but he doesn't come across as a complete **** like Ashley Cole and a lot of other footballers

[Guest NGoloMode]

You may be right, but seeing some of the Manchester City videos on YouTube he seems like a brilliant guy. I know I'm only basing this on YouTube videos, but he doesn't come across as a complete **** like Ashley Cole and a lot of other footballers

I thought the same thing. Seems like a nice lad on MCFC youtube channel

[Ric Flair]

The thing is Micah Richards and Chris Smalling are both centre halves by trade who have been converted to right backs. Both of them are superb on their day, as is Glen Johnson, Kyle Walker and Phil Jones out there. All of them seem to have suffered at some stage though and i'm not sure who is the standout candidate. Smalling looked crap last night but then earlier in the season and last season he looked superb at right back.

[sdb]

I agree that Smalling is overrated. He's not bad, but nothing special at all. Always thought him quite poor at Fulham tbh

[Guest ttfn]

That's not happening again mind with Citys spending power, the golden generation have truly gone and Fergie really has started buying some shit lately, maybe he doesn't have the drive anymore.

Richards is good but I've heard he won't get picked for England as he is a bit of a tosser and a nightmare to be around, might not be true but would make sense as to why he is overlooked.

Ferguson does have the drive. Why won't it happen again? In terms of league titles they have the greatest manager in English football history at the helm. In Wayne Rooney they have one of the top 3 players in the country, and, with Nani, 2 of the top 10. One good signing and they'll be sorted.

Attitude or no, Richards should be starting every game for England. The lad's a machine.

[AyewJoking]

I agree with you that Fergie has stayed on too long - he's in danger of destroying his own legacy.

Disagree. I think Man Utd will go trophyless for 5 years when Fergie retires. I dont care what players you have, when you're the dominant force in the country for 20 years, its all about the manager.

[Guest MattP]

Ferguson does have the drive. Why won't it happen again? In terms of league titles they have the greatest manager in English football history at the helm. In Wayne Rooney they have one of the top 3 players in the country, and, with Nani, 2 of the top 10. One good signing and they'll be sorted.

Attitude or no, Richards should be starting every game for England. The lad's a machine.

It's the "attitude or not" attitude that has caused England so many problems in the past. I do think Richards is a far better player than last time he played for England though when he got ripped to pieces.

I don't think he does have the drive anymore, look at the recent signings, Smalling, Bebe , De Gea - these guys wouldnt get anywhere near his best teams. Apart from Hernandez it's been pretty poor last 2/3 years.

I'd have David Silva, Juan Mata and Robin Van Persie as my top three at the minute in the PL, Rooney doesnt come close on his recent form, any world class player like these Ronaldo or Messi would have dragged there own side through in Basle last night somehow, Rooney doesnt have that at minute, not even scored in open play since the middle of September.

They are no longer the main financial force of the country, no longer the main destination of players who want to come here, the youth system doesnt look like producing anything if the Palace game is anything to go by and they have a squad full of players that's morale has been killed by what the big boys across the City are doing.

If he turns this one around he is a genius.

[Guest MattP]

Disagree. I think Man Utd will go trophyless for 5 years when Fergie retires. I dont care what players you have, when you're the dominant force in the country for 20 years, its all about the manager.

The players help, any youth team that produces Giggs, Scholes, Beckham, Neville etc is a massive help. Not to mention the vast array of squad players of a decent standard. Still can't understand the under-performance in europe over this time though, Put Jose in charge of that squad for 25 years and I think you have 7/8 european cups.

[AyewJoking]

The players help, any youth team that produces Giggs, Scholes, Beckham, Neville etc is a massive help. Not to mention the vast array of squad players of a decent standard. Still can't understand the under-performance in europe over this time though, Put Jose in charge of that squad for 25 years and I think you have 7/8 european cups.

Fergie got the best from all those players, incredibly loyal. They played for him. Ferguson is the only old school manager left. The players, multi-millionaires, fear him and others will happily play cameo roles when they'd play week in week out elsewhere.

[Guest MattP]

Fergie got the best from all those players, incredibly loyal. They played for him. Ferguson is the only old school manager left. The players, multi-millionaires, fear him and others will happily play cameo roles when they'd play week in week out elsewhere.

I think that was disproven last season when Rooney marched into his office and pulled his pants down by criticising his signings and then demanding £250,000 a week or he would leave to Man City.

[Libertine Dream]

I think that was disproven last season when Rooney marched into his office and pulled his pants down by criticising his signings and then demanding £250,000 a week or he would leave to Man City.

Its unlikely but maybe Fergie realised he'd brought some trash and therefore without Rooney could end up in Arsenal's position. Jones will turn out to be great and so might Young but DeGea isn't and never will be a fantastic keeper. Very rare that warmer climate goalkeepers do well over here and Fergie hasn't been great at getting keepers(Schmeichel was a great find but VDS was hardly a difficult find). Knowing Utd they'll win a treble nexyt year, Fergie will retire and Jose take over. Needs a midfielder and owners who rival City's first. (The glaziers have done well in the end but they need people who will dip their hands in the pocket to keep up with Sheikh's toy)