Most of the time, games are won in midfield. It's where you stop the opposition from becoming dangerous and creating chances. Being the sort of team we are, it’s where our creativity, switches of play and penetrative passes are generated. Our midfielders link everything from defence to attack.
We have a number of combinations we can use in the centre and wide, and that unpredictability makes it difficult for the opposition to work out how to play against us. We’ve got the older heads in Giggsy and Scholesy, who still make a massive contribution because they know what it takes to win trophies. Then we’ve got Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher, Anderson and Darron Gibson.
Michael is getting better and better. We’ve worked on his forward runs and he can be more defensive, too, because he has the tactical intelligence and discipline to do that. Fletch is a fantastic competitor, probably our best in midfield in that respect. If we want people closed down, he’s good at that.
Ando became stronger as the season went on. He penetrates by running forward with the ball and finding the right passes. There’s more to come from him, and also Gibbo - it’s no surprise that when he’s come into the first team he’s done fantastically well.
As for the wide players, Ji-sung Park is very important because wing men need to support the central midfielders, and he has the tactical awareness to know where he needs to be. Plus he always has the energy to get forward in attack, which is very difficult to defend against. People don’t always give him the credit for what he does.
It was a difficult season for Nani, but he has everything you’d wish for in a footballer in his position. He has two good feet, plus he’s quick, explosive, direct and skilful.
We’re hoping to have a fully-fit Owen Hargreaves next season. That’s a big asset, like a top-class new signing, and you can’t have too many quality players, particularly with the amount of games we have most seasons.
Rene Meulensteen was speaking to Inside United magazine. A special issue celebrating the Reds' 18th title success is on sale now and can be ordered online.
The views expressed in this blog are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United FC.
Ryan Giggs
Paul Scholes
Michael Carrick
Darren Fletcher
Anderson
Darron Gibson
Ji-sung Park
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