Keys to United's Success...

[johno]

1. We must play as a unit, we cannot over-rely on one or two players and we need to return to the flowing, dominating, attack-oriented play of the 90's.

2. Ronaldo must remain injury free. We can survive I believe with Miller/Fletcher/Kleberson-(he had a good game there this season) Smith or Rooney playing RW, even for a decent stretch of time, as long as Ronaldo is available to play on the other wing, because without a full time winger, Giggs' inconsistencies leaves us with few options to distribute the ball and counter attack... not saying he is not good, but not good enough for us to win a title with him as our primary winger.

3. We must find playing time for Alan Smith... he should probably get alot of sub time but also we could see him playing RW as that would actually firm up the defence when Keane is not playing DMC.

4. Djemba Djemba must be given enough of a chance to decide his future on the team, that means, adequate playing time against good opposition when we are at full-strength.

5. No injuries to our best defenders... we cannot go through that again.

6. We must do well against the top teams in the Prem... due to us having dropped behind so early, we must be consistent and beat the minnows and with some luck we would have done that already, but that is past, we must do well against the Gunners, the Mercenaries, the Scousers and the Toons...

at this stage we don't need "help" from any of them, we just have to out-perform them, this is not the end of the season we have time to put together a couple serious point surges so we still have a good shot at the Prem...

7. Doing well in other competitions... believe it or not, I think doing well in WortlessCup, FA Cup and in Champs League will do this team well. It will help boost the confidence and the team's new members can quicker learn what it is like to be on a contender and a top team. We will have to rotate alot so that will help with complaints over minutes.

8. Play to potential... once we play to our potential and we are injury free, I don't think that there is a team we should fear.

[haven]

1. We must play as a unit, we cannot over-rely on one or two players and we need to return to the flowing, dominating, attack-oriented play of the 90's.

Actually, this is a big problem. You mention Ronaldo below. Ronaldo is part of the problem. Individual brilliance, and unlike others, I do believe there's an end product to his play. However, Ronaldo seems to play on an island too much.

2. Ronaldo must remain injury free. We can survive I believe with Miller/Fletcher/Kleberson-(he had a good game there this season) Smith or Rooney playing RW, even for a decent stretch of time, as long as Ronaldo is available to play on the other wing, because without a full time winger, Giggs' inconsistencies leaves us with few options to distribute the ball and counter attack... not saying he is not good, but not good enough for us to win a title with him as our primary winger.

Of all those players, only Rooney or Smith are guys I'm comfortable with on the wings. The others are just... (1) not offensive enough and (2) very obviously central-only players. Unfortunately, putting them on the wing detracts from our attack.

3. We must find playing time for Alan Smith... he should probably get alot of sub time but also we could see him playing RW as that would actually firm up the defence when Keane is not playing DMC.

I want Smith to get time, too. However, I think that one needs defense from wingers about as much as one needs a goal when leading 9-0. Sure, it's nice. But a winger's job is too attack. I find defensive wingers a liability, more than a boon.

4. Djemba Djemba must be given enough of a chance to decide his future on the team, that means, adequate playing time against good opposition when we are at full-strength.

Even more importantly, DjDj must prove he's adequate.

5. No injuries to our best defenders... we cannot go through that again.

Agreed, though we could stand an injury to any rather than Rio, really.

6. We must do well against the top teams in the Prem... due to us having dropped behind so early, we must be consistent and beat the minnows and with some luck we would have done that already, but that is past, we must do well against the Gunners, the Mercenaries, the Scousers and the Toons...

absolutely

at this stage we don't need "help" from any of them, we just have to out-perform them, this is not the end of the season we have time to put together a couple serious point surges so we still have a good shot at the Prem...

Well, we do need them to drop a point or 7 ;)

7. Doing well in other competitions... believe it or not, I think doing well in WortlessCup, FA Cup and in Champs League will do this team well. It will help boost the confidence and the team's new members can quicker learn what it is like to be on a contender and a top team. We will have to rotate alot so that will help with complaints over minutes.

I think the worthington and fa cups should be designated as youth competitions this year. We need to figure out how Rossi, Spector, Martin, Timm, even Rooney, and others will work together.

8. Play to potential... once we play to our potential and we are injury free, I don't think that there is a team we should fear.

Yeah, goes back to your #1... also, I'd like to single out RVN here. We need the RVN of 2 years ago.

[Robert25]

Ruud I think was hurt last year by the departure of Beckham, and his passing abilities, as well as the wavering of Giggs. He did pretty good at the Euros so i think he is still as deadly a striker as you can find. Its just getting him the ball that i see as the problem.

1. Whether its Keane, DJ2, or any of our youngsters back in defensive midfiled they must do a good and efficent job of getting the ball forward quickly and with good sense. The attack begins at the back one way or another and we need a good handler back there.

3. Giggs- he is not done yet, I think the more Ronaldo develops he will see less pressure placed upon him. And he'll provide his offensive savy. If not this is the area I strongly think gets addressed.

4. Scholes and Ronaldo- Scholes has not scored this year and has not seemed his usual self. That alone delivers a crushing blow to our offense without his play in midfield. he has to get it going. For Ronaldo, I really worry about all the time he has played. Maybe its best to just sit him as SAF once stated.

5. Smith deserves to play. he has been our best player and a real force. Whether its as Striker or in midfield he has the chance to become the inspiration for this team.

6. lastly, the teamwork must improve. Once Rio is back there will be no more excuses for the defence and the entire team. The first few weeks have been rough, now it will be time to turn the tables and begin making Old Trafford such a tough place for any team entering to play there.

[johno]

I think that whomever plays DM will benefit from Rio.. not just because of less defensive pressure, but Rio sparks counters himself... and with a better partner than he is used to, he can advance a bit futher than usual and be adventurous... not that he is prone to doing so though..

[cristiano_007]

Man U have a good team right now for this season when all of the players get fit we should come on strong around the 10th game. Right noe the striking department is "compact" even though RVN is out.

Alan Smith is doing a good job replacing him for the moment.
And a Question doies SAF plan to groom Rooney?