I don't know how others feel but I believe with our shocking run of luck in the defence department, it's time for Fergie to finally let Pique have a go. Hypothetically if Neville feels fit to play I would like to see Wes Brown and Gerrard Pique playing the center. I know Fergie will more likely than not prefer O'Shea and Brown but i think that would be a shame. That said if Neville can't play a whole game then I guess unless Fergie let's Hargreaves play RB then we'll have to play Brown at RB and have Pique/O'Shea in the center. So what do you guys think? I've got a funny gut feeling that says Fergie will somehow shuffle our players so that Pique still ends up on the bench and I'd be very disappointed at that. Do you agree? How do you all feel about Pique playing?
This is Pique's chance, it has to be...
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pique is supposed to be a great player but we have not seen that yet as he has not played an important team yet.....now that we dont know if rio is coming back yet...i think we can give pique a chance to prove his worth.....if he does get a chance i hope he does well because everyone has high expectations of him
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no silvestre in CB... 
he is horrible there
he is horrible there
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Time For Pique To Prove His Worth
Manchester United's injury problems (crisis is somewhat overblown) now extend to the loss of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, in addition to the long-term absense of club captain and right back, Gary Neville. Whilst Vidic's loss is likely to be only a few weeks, the Ferdinand one is less certain - but judging by his limping and demeanour at Middlesbrough I would hazard a guess that he'll be missing for the Roma game but stands a good chance of playing gainst Arsenal. Rehabilitiation is so advanced these days, and Ferdinand is such a better professional than he was a few years ago (muscle injury reaching for remote control, anyone?) that anything else would be unusual.
In Vidic's absence John O'Shea was initially preferred to Wes Brown as a central defender; but ultimate utility man that O'Shea is (he has played across the defence and midfield for United, and was even thrown up front as an emergency attacker last season) he is no longer good enough for central defence. The relationship built up between Ferdinand and Vidic had created one of the meanest defences in Europe, but without Vidic to attack the ball Ferdinand was drifting out of position on Sunday in anticipation of events beyond his control.
Middlesbrough's first goal was a case in point, where Vidic/Ferdinand would have cleared the situation instinctively - but with Vidic missing it became an easy Middlesbrough goal.
With Vidic next to Ferdinand the hopeful ball forward would have been properly challenged by Vidic and Ferdinand would be on hand to mop up the second ball. But without Vidic, O'Shea drifted out of position towards the left back position to follow Alliadiere as he chased a hopeful punt forward, but then O'Shea made no real challenge for the ball. Alliadiere was therefore able to get enough distance on his flick to cut out where Ferdinand was anticipating the ball would land. The onrushing Alves was only being tracked by Michael Carrick as Wes Brown was severely out of position and making little effort to return from an earlier sally up the right wing. As it was a long, hopeful punt and an unchallenged flick set Alves free on goal.
United had not conceded 15 league goals in 32 league games by allowing such cheap chances.
Ferdinand struggled all day to understand just what O'Shea or Brown were going to do, or more pertinently not do, and looked genuinely annoyed at the way the afternoon shaped up.
Wes Brown is at present an enigma; no United players get more games than Brown, but his form is increasingly 'steady' - in a sub-Denis Irwin kind of way. Brown's natural athleticism often gets him out of the trouble that his lack of positional sense gets him into. He is essentially a squad player who has no really progressed from the sensational promise of the late 1990s. Some significant injuries have played their part but it is understandable why United are not breaking the bank to get him to renew his contract. Brown is essentially another Phil Neville; a good player that will improve any squad - but may struggle to improve the first eleven of the very best teams. If the contract negotiations are not resumed he will slot into a team like Newcastle, Everton or Aston Villa very easily next season.
In truth the best footballer at centre-half at United's disposal is now Gerard Pique. His season in Primera Liga as a defensive midfielder has given him an acute sense of positioning, and an unwillingness to make wasteful passes. He is good on the ground and in the air, without being outstanding at either, and would chip in with as many headed goals as Vidic does - if he were given the chance. It is Pique that really should have slotted in alongside Ferdinand rather than O'Shea or Brown; even if the Spaniard's style is more like Ferdinand than any other player at Old Trafford.
Ideally now Pique can take on the role of Ferdinand, with Brown allowed to rampage like Vidic; allowing Pique to pick up the loose balls and pass the ball onto Carrick and Scholes.
At the top teams every injury or suspension is an opportunity for another player - it isn't a crisis. Now is the time for Pique to show that he has the quality to make the step up to become a regular first team player, and natural successor to Rio Ferdinand.
Manchester United's injury problems (crisis is somewhat overblown) now extend to the loss of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, in addition to the long-term absense of club captain and right back, Gary Neville. Whilst Vidic's loss is likely to be only a few weeks, the Ferdinand one is less certain - but judging by his limping and demeanour at Middlesbrough I would hazard a guess that he'll be missing for the Roma game but stands a good chance of playing gainst Arsenal. Rehabilitiation is so advanced these days, and Ferdinand is such a better professional than he was a few years ago (muscle injury reaching for remote control, anyone?) that anything else would be unusual.
In Vidic's absence John O'Shea was initially preferred to Wes Brown as a central defender; but ultimate utility man that O'Shea is (he has played across the defence and midfield for United, and was even thrown up front as an emergency attacker last season) he is no longer good enough for central defence. The relationship built up between Ferdinand and Vidic had created one of the meanest defences in Europe, but without Vidic to attack the ball Ferdinand was drifting out of position on Sunday in anticipation of events beyond his control.
Middlesbrough's first goal was a case in point, where Vidic/Ferdinand would have cleared the situation instinctively - but with Vidic missing it became an easy Middlesbrough goal.
With Vidic next to Ferdinand the hopeful ball forward would have been properly challenged by Vidic and Ferdinand would be on hand to mop up the second ball. But without Vidic, O'Shea drifted out of position towards the left back position to follow Alliadiere as he chased a hopeful punt forward, but then O'Shea made no real challenge for the ball. Alliadiere was therefore able to get enough distance on his flick to cut out where Ferdinand was anticipating the ball would land. The onrushing Alves was only being tracked by Michael Carrick as Wes Brown was severely out of position and making little effort to return from an earlier sally up the right wing. As it was a long, hopeful punt and an unchallenged flick set Alves free on goal.
United had not conceded 15 league goals in 32 league games by allowing such cheap chances.
Ferdinand struggled all day to understand just what O'Shea or Brown were going to do, or more pertinently not do, and looked genuinely annoyed at the way the afternoon shaped up.
Wes Brown is at present an enigma; no United players get more games than Brown, but his form is increasingly 'steady' - in a sub-Denis Irwin kind of way. Brown's natural athleticism often gets him out of the trouble that his lack of positional sense gets him into. He is essentially a squad player who has no really progressed from the sensational promise of the late 1990s. Some significant injuries have played their part but it is understandable why United are not breaking the bank to get him to renew his contract. Brown is essentially another Phil Neville; a good player that will improve any squad - but may struggle to improve the first eleven of the very best teams. If the contract negotiations are not resumed he will slot into a team like Newcastle, Everton or Aston Villa very easily next season.
In truth the best footballer at centre-half at United's disposal is now Gerard Pique. His season in Primera Liga as a defensive midfielder has given him an acute sense of positioning, and an unwillingness to make wasteful passes. He is good on the ground and in the air, without being outstanding at either, and would chip in with as many headed goals as Vidic does - if he were given the chance. It is Pique that really should have slotted in alongside Ferdinand rather than O'Shea or Brown; even if the Spaniard's style is more like Ferdinand than any other player at Old Trafford.
Ideally now Pique can take on the role of Ferdinand, with Brown allowed to rampage like Vidic; allowing Pique to pick up the loose balls and pass the ball onto Carrick and Scholes.
At the top teams every injury or suspension is an opportunity for another player - it isn't a crisis. Now is the time for Pique to show that he has the quality to make the step up to become a regular first team player, and natural successor to Rio Ferdinand.
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I got slated by some1 in this forum a couple of weeks ago for saying that fergie should have given Pique more games in case we had another injury crisis in the central of defence.. and yes it is a crisis! any team that loses the best centre half pairing in world football is gonna be in somewhat of a crisis! I feel Fergie will be to blame if Pique cant swim.. lets hope he can !
But if Rio and Vidic are out for for than a week or two we could finish empty handed this year! maybe a little pessimistic but we cant expect Pique to go from the reserves to the nou camp in the space of a few weeks!!
But if Rio and Vidic are out for for than a week or two we could finish empty handed this year! maybe a little pessimistic but we cant expect Pique to go from the reserves to the nou camp in the space of a few weeks!!
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found this article on the net
Though the extent of Rio`s injury is yet to be announced, the loss of the talismanic Nemanja Vidic has no doubt affected the team. The Doom and Gloom merchants amongst us would suggest that losing both Ferdinand and Vidic at such a crucial stage of the season could be curtains for our Title aspirations; but to them I say stop........and consider Gerard Pique.
Firstly, I will tackle with the argument that he lacks sufficient match experience. Whilst this may be true of Man Utd, where he played just 11 times in almost 4 years; he did have a very long, and prosperous loan spell at Spanish outfit Real Zaragoza last season, where he played a total of 17 games. Of these 17 games, Pique would have come up against the likes of Ronaldinho, Messi, Raul and Van Nistelrooy, and if United scouts are to believed, he performed admirably. In a season where Pique was integral, the Spanish side finished an extremely impressive 6th place in the table having conceded less goals than they had since the 1999-2000 season. Indeed, it is no surprise that the 'Blanquillos` currently sit in 17th place in La Liga, having already conceded 4 more goals than their previous seasons total.
In fact, I remember watching a match involving Zaragoza and Villarreal; in which the United youngster completely nullified the attacking talents of the rejuvenated Diego Forlan (remember him?). Zaragoza went on to win the match 1-0 with Gerard Pique towering in a header; which brings me onto my next point nicely.
Whilst no-one can doubt that it is the defensive abilities of Pique we require at this present moment, he does present a genuine goal threat; something which has been missing from Vidic and Ferdinand recently. In fact, in his season with Zaragoza Pique scored 3 goals, hardly prolific, but when you consider he has already scored for United twice this season (D Kiev and Roma away) you cant help but think that his addition would bring added danger from set pieces, especially with Nani coming back to fitness.
As I said before, even if Rio is passed fit to play, I still believe Pique should be given his chance. Yesterday, I saw less of a young inexperienced boy, and more a tough-tackling, hirsute man vaguely reminiscent of an early Olof Mellberg. And though his time on the pitch was limited, Sir Alex was quick to praise the impact he had on reassuring the visibly shaken defence, stating he thought Pique`s performance was "marvellous".
Those with a good memory will remember Sir Alex claiming earlier on in the season that the club had a special "course charted for Gerard Pique' - well my message to Sir Alex is scrap the course, and give Pique his chance!
Though the extent of Rio`s injury is yet to be announced, the loss of the talismanic Nemanja Vidic has no doubt affected the team. The Doom and Gloom merchants amongst us would suggest that losing both Ferdinand and Vidic at such a crucial stage of the season could be curtains for our Title aspirations; but to them I say stop........and consider Gerard Pique.
Firstly, I will tackle with the argument that he lacks sufficient match experience. Whilst this may be true of Man Utd, where he played just 11 times in almost 4 years; he did have a very long, and prosperous loan spell at Spanish outfit Real Zaragoza last season, where he played a total of 17 games. Of these 17 games, Pique would have come up against the likes of Ronaldinho, Messi, Raul and Van Nistelrooy, and if United scouts are to believed, he performed admirably. In a season where Pique was integral, the Spanish side finished an extremely impressive 6th place in the table having conceded less goals than they had since the 1999-2000 season. Indeed, it is no surprise that the 'Blanquillos` currently sit in 17th place in La Liga, having already conceded 4 more goals than their previous seasons total.
In fact, I remember watching a match involving Zaragoza and Villarreal; in which the United youngster completely nullified the attacking talents of the rejuvenated Diego Forlan (remember him?). Zaragoza went on to win the match 1-0 with Gerard Pique towering in a header; which brings me onto my next point nicely.
Whilst no-one can doubt that it is the defensive abilities of Pique we require at this present moment, he does present a genuine goal threat; something which has been missing from Vidic and Ferdinand recently. In fact, in his season with Zaragoza Pique scored 3 goals, hardly prolific, but when you consider he has already scored for United twice this season (D Kiev and Roma away) you cant help but think that his addition would bring added danger from set pieces, especially with Nani coming back to fitness.
As I said before, even if Rio is passed fit to play, I still believe Pique should be given his chance. Yesterday, I saw less of a young inexperienced boy, and more a tough-tackling, hirsute man vaguely reminiscent of an early Olof Mellberg. And though his time on the pitch was limited, Sir Alex was quick to praise the impact he had on reassuring the visibly shaken defence, stating he thought Pique`s performance was "marvellous".
Those with a good memory will remember Sir Alex claiming earlier on in the season that the club had a special "course charted for Gerard Pique' - well my message to Sir Alex is scrap the course, and give Pique his chance!
It is about time he was given a chance. He is told, when his chance comes, he should grab it. How can he do that, when despite Vidic being out, he picks O'Shea ahead of him?
Pique should have started yesterday and he MUST start on Wednesday. Otherwise, i can't see Pique staying at United much longer.
If Barcelona/Juventus etc come knocking, i' can see him going. If SAF, rates him so highly, he should be playing him. He is a great talent and he deserves more than this. I'd really hate to loose him, but it'll happen if this carries on.
Pique should have started yesterday and he MUST start on Wednesday. Otherwise, i can't see Pique staying at United much longer.
If Barcelona/Juventus etc come knocking, i' can see him going. If SAF, rates him so highly, he should be playing him. He is a great talent and he deserves more than this. I'd really hate to loose him, but it'll happen if this carries on.
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Pique scored against Barca, he'll do it against Roma to!
Tbh I don't like Pique, he let in an awful goal at the beginning of the season which was clearly his fault and I don't think he's good enough to play for this club. Period. What we need is a bruiser a hard man defender, Pique is basically a wuss, he's been too used to the sunny climate in Spain and is not what I call a 'hard' defender.
Pique would get injured in a flash in training if Rio and Vida were to tackle him.
Pique would get injured in a flash in training if Rio and Vida were to tackle him.
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We are in a desperate time so it will be a fantastic to see Pique on form at this stage of the season.
SAF should trust him.
SAF should trust him.
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yes its a big opportunity for pique to prove his quality and perhaps earn a place in the utd defence,he is highly rated so he should be able to cope with this step up,i hope he does well and wish the lad every success in his big chance to cement a regular place in the team.
Yes definitely the defenders we have are - Brown, Sheasy, Evra, Pique, Neville and Silvestre. Nev's and Silvestre cant be risked yet! Maybe tomorrow but say for instance rio is out for longer (i bloody hope not!) Then Pique is a tidy player who can step in.
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