Which of the Manchester United wingers deserves a place on the left flank?
It’s pre-season, and the time when speculation runs riot. United have been linked with players left right and centre, and will no doubt continue to be until August 31.
Earlier this week we posted an article suggesting a potential United XI to include Robin van Persie and Lucas Moura. It remains a long shot both will sign, but fans can dream…
One of the more interesting debates to come out of it, was who should take the spot on the left flank, Ashley Young or Nani.
Antonio Valencia seemingly has the right wing berth sewn up after his excellent performances last season which saw him voted player of the year by his teammates, and handed the number 7 shirt ahead of next season.
We picked Ashley Young to start on the left, ahead of Nani, a marginal choice, but it was one not everybody agreed with.
Take these comments – “No Nani in that team when he is the best winger in United camp. He was the only MUFC stanout at EUro 2012 and you still put Young before Nani. Is it english Bias or do you just not like Nani?”
“Absolutely yes, Nani is much much better/best than young, even park was very much better than .Please avoid young and English bias.”
We realise Ashley Young’s stock is low after a poor Euro 2012, but fans should give him a bit of a break.
For what it’s worth, Nani is probably a more complete player than Ashley Young – but consider this crucial question; when did Nani last have a good game on the left?
The answer is at home to Wolves in December when he scored twice and provided one assist. Considering Wolves’ ineptitude last season, it was hardly a performance against a top tier team. Prior to that we are open to suggestions?
Nani’s inconsistent early form at United came when he was played on the left, and only when he switched to the right on a regular basis in 2010/11 did he have his standout season.
The Portuguese winger has a challenge laid down ahead of him next year, with his place in the side hardly assured. He did play well at Euro 2012, outstanding? We’re not so sure, but certainly better than Young, not that it counts a jot for next season at his club.
The good news is that a top side like United need at least three top quality wingers, owing to the high intensity demands of playing the position, which sees players pick up minor injuries with regularity, and the large amount of games the team play, with domestic and European competitions.
Rotation will be a factor and Nani will get his chances on both flanks. It is up to him to seize his chances, and if most of those come on the left, he must find a way to master the position in a similar way to how he has excelled on the right.
It is Young’s five goals and six league assists which saw us include him in our line-up, not ‘English bias’. The winger has a lot to work on too, namely consistency, he was excellent at the start, and dismal in patches too, particularly in the run-up to Christmas before he got injured.
Unlike Nani, Young’s position is on the left. Nani can play both, but that versatility has affected his chances almost as much as Antonio Valencia’s emergence. Nani was only selected there 6 times in the league compared to Young’s 22, hence our selection of the Englishman as ‘first choice’.
Either way, it will be an intriguing battle for the wing spots at United next season, and the club should simply be happy that with Ryan Giggs – who once owned the position himself – and young Robbie Brady, they have so many excellent options, and we are interested to continue to hear your views.
If Valencia is a certain starter on the right, who should start on the left? Can Nani play there?
image: © notsogoodphotography
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