Darren Fletcher: The Answer for Manchester United

Well, as you can see from the title, this is sort of a reply to the article named "Wayne Rooney: The Answer For Manchester United" by Nathan Lowe. Its not that I completely disagree with Nathan's comments, I also think Rooney would make a great CAM, but I think the downside of losing his role as a SS would be greater.

Also, there is in my opinion a greater solution and one which I have had in mind for quite a long time—playing Darren Fletcher and Anderson in midfield.

Darren Fletcher has long been one of my favourite United players, the man has a great mentality for his young age and always performs when most needed. His matches two seasons ago against Roma and AC Milan were true testament to that, and not to forget his performance against Arsenal in the 4-0 trouncing in the FA Cup 4th Round tie last season.

I thought Fletcher should have and would have played alongside Anderson against Arsenal at the weekend but an injury sadly ruled him out. That for me was the reason United lost.

I was of the opinion that Carrick would not have the defensive abilities to counter Arsenal's attacking play, which has made all the more evident with Arsenal's second goal were Nasri was left completely unmarked at the edge of the box.

Now coming to the reasons as to why I think Fletcher would have been better. He is a mix of Scholes, Hargreaves, and Carrick all in one. While he doesn't have the individual attributes all these three great players have, his ability to play all three roles makes him a valuable player to have in midfield. Therefore he is able to adapt himself too any role given to him, and is able to perform very well. 

He has shown over the course of this season that he has developed the ability to make late runs into the box, something a young Scholes had in abundance, scoring vital goals like the one against Newcastle and Everton in the process.

He also has great passing skills, short and long, which are vital when the defending team play deep and allow little space in the final third. 

To top it off, Fletcher has good defensive ability—something Carrick and Scholes miss. His stamina and energy are on the level of Rooney, "Three-Lung" Park, and Tevez. He has used his energy, along with his tackling-marking etc, to dominate players like De Rossi, Pirlo, and Fabregas over the years, which goes a long way in demonstrating the ability he has. 

In Anderson, you get a powerful, highly energetic midfielder of the mould of Paul Ince. He has shown great creative passing skill as well, and can therefore surely be a force in the final third.

But with that you need to look out for the defense, and that is where Fletcher comes in.

Anderson isn't a fully offensive player himself and has shown a tendency to help defend when not in possession, using his high energy to do that well (his role at Anfield last season showed that). With Fletcher's ability to cover attacking midfielders and also help out in attack, the two will therefore make for a great future partnership.