Fergie Summer Rebuilding Takes Shape

The Ranter

In a summer fraught with upheaval and assessment at Old Trafford one man at least would still appear fully focused on the task ahead.

Whatever Sir Alex Ferguson thinks of the takeover – he was qualified in his disapproval beforehand, non committal afterwards – this summer is crucial to his long term vision of building a 'third great United team' under his stewardship.

It is, of course, an age when no managers are given time to build, when instant success is demanded and media scrutiny closer than ever. It is with this fact in mind that Sir Alex must get his next few movements in the transfer market absolutely right; failure now could, possibly should, see the great man leave in the summer of 2007.

Third in the Premiership two seasons in a row, dumped out of the Champion's League early again and then, to add insult to injury, beaten by an inferior Arsenal side in the FA Cup Final – 2004/5 was nothing short of a disaster for Ferguson.

Key areas of the team – most notably the goalkeeper and central midfield – let the Old Trafford outfit down last season. The United strike force, on which Ferguson spent more than £60 million, must also give cause for a re-think: 58 league goals being the worst tally for more than 17 years at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex made his first move in late May by bringing Fulham goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar north for around £2m. It's a shrewd move by the still canny Scotsman who knows that the stability the giant Dutchman brings will filter through to the defence – something that Tim Howard and the now departed Roy Carroll failed to do during 2004/5.

Holland's number one may be the wrong side of 34 but the two year contract will give Howard time to develop or more probably Ferguson time to find the funds to buy a top-class replacement. It is thought that although Newcastle's Shay Given, Real Madrid's Iker Casillas and Juventus' Gianluigi Buffon were all on Ferguson's premier list the money simply wasn't available to fund a major acquisition.

In defence the big question revolves around the future of Rio Ferdinand. Although a £100,000 a week contract is on the table the England defender is yet to have signed.

Ferdinand's obfuscation could yet see him leave Old Trafford necessitating further defensive rebuilding. However, his departure would hardly bring a murmur of protest from the United faithful, such is the perceived disloyalty of the player.

After all the club – and in particular the fans – rigidly stuck by Ferdinand during his eight month ban from the game for missing a random drugs test.

Elsewhere questions marks still hang over Mikael Silvestre who has been far too inconsistent in an otherwise bright season for the back four.

Roy Keane's ageing legs, however, are less easily replaced by Ferguson than he has found with van der Sar and his goalkeeping conundrum.

The obvious candidates – Gattuso, Vieira, Gerrard, Essien, Mascherano – are all unwilling or very unlikely to join the club. Yet the Keane issue is one that many observers feel is seriously limiting United's chances of regaining some silverware in 2005/6. Firstly Keane, once two players in one, is less that half of his old self. Yes, there's the same drive; the same fearsome burning desire to win, but the legs don't carry the fight any more.

Like Mike Tyson, Keane has fought in one too many war. Moreover this has forced a tactical switch with a forward sacrificed for an extra body in midfield, which in turn has forced Rooney into wider positions for the sake of his captain. It may be Ferguson's toughest decision yet but dumping Keane is perhaps his most crucial.

Up-front Sir Alex may need to make some equally tough decisions – the most difficult being that of Ruud van Nistelrooy's future. Dare Scotland's finest sell the Dutch international striker, aged just 28, at the theoretical peak of his career?

The statistics for van Nistelrooy in 2004/5 were significantly down on the previous three seasons it is true but in mitigation two serious injuries blighted his campaign. Very likely to depart is the injury prone Louis Saha.

18 months on from his protracted transfer to the club and a succession of injuries have almost certainly put an end to his United career. The board will sanction a sale at a fraction of his £12m purchase price.

That leaves room for a major import and it's no secret that Ferguson would like to bring in Michael Owen from Real Madrid. Much to the chagrin of United's rivals down the East Lancs Road, it might just happen as well…

Departures & Likely Departures

Roy Carroll

The error prone Irishman was offered a new contract midway through the 2004-5 season but it remained unsigned. The club said Carroll wanted too much money; the player probably realised his United career was at an end. He recently joined West Ham.

Ricardo

The hapless Spanish international made just three appearances in as many seasons – giving away a penalty on each occasion. Ricardo never stood a chance of making it at Old Trafford and has recently signed for Osasuna.

Louis Saha

Dubbed 'Mr. Glass' by the United faithful, the French international made a stunning start to his Old Trafford career, only for injuries to ruin the dream. He will almost certainly be sold on to free up cash for player purchases.

Kleberson

Injuries have hampered Kleberson's career as has the bizarre site of the Brazilian defensive midfielder repeatedly turning out on the United wing. Kleberson has proved to be an expensive mistake by Ferguson.

Liam Miller

A free transfer from Celtic 12 months ago, the young Irishman would be moved on but for his reported £38,000 a week pay packet.

Signings & Likely Purchases

Edwin van der Sar (Fulham)

The giant Dutch 'keeper is a shrewd acquisition by Ferguson. At 34 it's a short term move but one that will bring stability to the Red's goal that they have not had since Peter Schmeichel left in 1999.

Park Ji Sung (PSV Eindhoven)

South Korea's Park is an all action midfielder who excelled in PSV's 2004-5 Champions League campaign. Equally comfortable wide or through the middle he will bring energy and no little skill to the United midfield.

Michael Owen (Real Madrid)

It's hard to believe that the England international striker is still just 25 – years off his peak. An £11-13m move is being mooted and if the speculation proves correct Ferguson will have acquire a proven goalscorer at all levels. Given the player's Liverpool past it will be controversial but no more so that the transfers of Rio Ferdinand, Alan Smith and Wayne Rooney to the club.

The One That Got Away

Mikael Essien (Lyon)

The Ghanaian midfielder will almost certainly join Chelsea for another huge fee this summer. He is a ready made replacement for Roy Keane and was superb in United's two encounters against Lyon in the 2004/5 Champions League groups stages.

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Fergie Summer Rebuilding Takes Shape

The Ranter