CREATIVITY OR STEELE: THE UNITED CONUNDRUM  - OLA ADETOYE (20/10/2013)

Much has been made of the weaknesses within Manchester 

United’s midfield, it was problem even under the great Sir Alex and now that same problem has been passed down to fellow Scotsman David Moyes. In the league pundits and fans often questioned the physicality of United’s midfield especially through the middle. Which is not really a surprise when the two mainstays of that midfield were Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley. Both of whom are not really known for their brute strength within the game. A trait that was held by former captain and tough tackling Irishman Roy Keane. However since he left the club and retired from the game, the club as a whole failed to address the issue for several years.

It’s fair to say that even with the lack of such a player within the

 team, Manchester United have continuously picked up silverware, recently grabbing their 20^th league title last season An accomplishment which put them ahead of Liverpool in the most titles won, and sealing their status as the most successful British football team. Yet without even thinking too hard about it, a majority of United’s home and continental rivals have a defensive Midfielder. Take for instance the top English sides Chelsea haveEssien and Mikel, Manchester City have Yaya and Fernandinho, Liverpool have Lucas, and Spurs have Dembele and Paulinho. Before those of you who are Arsenal supporters start shouting, your team doesn’t feature on the list simply because as with United you to lack a physical presence (Mikel Arteta is not a traditional defensive midfielder period).

Since Spain’s national side and Barcelona started dominating the

 footballing world, everyone has been obsessed (including me) with their famous ‘tika taka’ (passing game to the football novices)

 style. Credit where credit is due, it worked for several years culminating in World Cups, European championships, La Liga titles and Champions League trophies for both footballing parties 

respectively. But Barcelona and Real Madrid both losing to German opposition marked a watershed moment in the footballing timeline. 

Tika taka football was countered with German physicality and fast football. What enabled both Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich to win was having a solid midfield consisting of what I have been ranting about ‘physicality’. Yes both teams play good football, however at the same time those foundations are built upon players like Javi Martinez and Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich) or Ilkay Gundogan and Sven Bender (Borussia Dortmund). Both are a mix of ball playing midfielders and physical players who specialise in breaking up opposition attacks.

Hence it is with such a deep explanation that I believe David 

Moyes and Manchester United were best served going after a physical presence like Marouane Fellaini, a player who can not only provide cover but score goals. Utilising the Belgian allows Michael Carrick to assume the position of a deep-lying playmaker whole-heartedly. Which can only benefit the entire squad in the long run. Besides creativity is not what united lack, in Shinji Kagawa, Wayne Rooney, and the previously mentioned Michael Carrick are quality players all capable of splitting defences. So if you asked me personally to pick whether United needed creativity or steel, at this moment in time I side with the latter choice.