Alex Ferguson : Rio Ferdinand One of a Dozen Stars Sweating on Summer Re-Build
Sir Alex Ferguson will conduct the biggest cull of his squad in years. Some players will be dumped, others demoted to the Theatre of Dreams chorus line as new stars arrive to bolster the last great production of his reign. There will be tears, there will be pathos and drama amongst The Departed, but that won’t stop Ferguson trying to create an epic team to oust Barcelona as Europe’s ruling power...with a dozen players either going or with their places under threat
1. Tomasz Kuszczak
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The Pole, at least holds one record—he has more Zs in his name then any player in United’s history— but that is about the only impact he has made after arriving from West Brom in 2006. The goalkeeper who could not displace past Edwin van der Sar and would have had David De Gea in front of him next season has already announced he is going. His departure will barely be noticed.
2. Rio Ferdinand
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He better pray that his back and knee problems are over with the arrival of Phil Jones. Ferdinand remains a class act and will be first choice alongside Nemanja Vidic at the start of the season, but the next time he spends more than a few weeks out, the most expensive defender in England may find it difficult to argue that he should remain his Serbian teammate’s regular partner.
3. Chris Smalling
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Was heralded as Ferdinand’s ultimate replacement on his arrival from Fulham and unquestionably has talent. What is open to question is whether he truly has the temperament and the charisma to one day be the boss of the United rearguard after a series of shaky performances in the second half of last season. Will be as anxious as Ferdinand about the capture of Jones and must build on his first full campaign at Old Trafford.
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Dimitar Berbatov
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Suave, sophisticated and slicked-back, Berba has been pictured with a cigarette dangling from his lips and might pass for some Hollywood icon. He has, however, failed to fulfil his Ferguson-publicised role as the new Eric Cantona even if he did become joint leading Premier League scorer last season. They love their moody heart-throbs in France, which is where he may perform next and where he would at least be able to keep up with the pace of play.
5. Ryan Giggs
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The shame-faced wrinkly will remain for a further season, but he is likely to have quite a lot of time to go for therapy on sex addiction if he should decide he needs such help. The most decorated player United ever will become a bit-part player charged with cameo roles and is likely to spend his last season as the leader of Ferguson’s Carling Cup squad and getting the odd start against cannon fodder.
6.Michael Carrick
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Almost, but not quite, the passing superstar that Ferguson has almost begged him to become, Carrick could figure in a swap deal for Luca Modric and return to White Hart Lane. He could never be accused of not giving his all, and he would still be a handy man to have around if he is spared this summer’s cull, but a second Champions League final under-performance will cost him his place as United’s leading man in midfield.
7. Darren Fletcher
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The virus that forced his absence from the climax of the season may also cost him a place in Ferguson’s mind as his number one midfield enforcer. Energy, enthusiasm and commitment are qualities the manager values in his fellow Scot. So Fletcher will be sticking around, but like Carrick, he lacks that little extra something that defines the truly gifted and so he will remain a workhorse, never a wonder.
8. Nani
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The entrance of Ashley Young all but ensures his exit. Not a shy boy, the winger who has never really felt appreciated by his manager is already talking about joining Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, where he can team up with his one-time Old Trafford mentor Cristiano Ronaldo. The feisty Portuguese will generate plenty of transfer market interest and a high price. Ferguson will take it, especially as Antonio Valencia is back and firing.
9. Anderson
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The Brazilian’s long-term future will depend on who, in the end, actually does show up to augment the midfield area that last season was so mundane. His knee ligament injury allowed him only a late arrival to the campaign although he returned in goal scoring form, most notably against Schalke . But he must ally better attitude to his ability to retain top billing, while Tom Cleverley’s return will also make life interesting.
10. Darron Gibson
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Can score spectacular goals, such as the one against Bayern Munich the season before last, but his international manager Giovanni Trapattoni told him months ago he was banging his head against a brick wall and now the Republic of Ireland player has taken the hint. Will join the cast of The Departed with Sunderland, where he will get the chance of the regular football that he craves.
11.John O'Shea
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He began his career in sensational fashion at right back but ultimately found himself as a defensive odd job man with occasional work further forward. He too is being pursued by Steve Bruce, who is turning the Stadium of Light into a catchment area for United players and O’Shea, much like Gibson, would be assured of full-time employment. His future will be determined by how Ferguson evaluates back-up options.
12.Wes Brown
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Sunderland wants him, David Moyes is highly interested at Everton and Newcastle may also attempt to sign him, but one thing is for sure: he is out of there. Has been in Ferguson’s bad books for some time, while his laid-back style, which frequently turned into carelessness long ago, marked the central defender and full back as surplus to requirements, and now it is only a question of where he goes with Steve Bruce, the hot favourite to sign him.
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