Who needs Wes Brown or John O'Shea?
With Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic both leaving the pitch injured in Manchester United’s 2-1 opening weekend win over West Brom on Sunday, fans must have been wondering “Why did we get rid of both John O’Shea and Wes Brown on the cheap?” O’Shea and Brown, of course, are now at Sunderland, and without the two experienced defenders, Manchester United seem to be in a bit of trouble.
Or are they? New signing Phil Jones and last year’s surprise acquisition from Fulham Chris Smalling look set for an extended run in the first team with Rio Ferdinand not expected back in action for 6+ weeks while RB Rafael is also out long term.
Manchester United have 3 of their next 4 games at home at Old Trafford – where they were an absolute VAULT last season in terms of clean sheets and goals allowed. Sure, the opposition is tough with the likes of Tottenham coming to town followed by a (toothless? Gervinho-less? Nasri-less? Cesc-less?) Arsenal, but you have to think that Sir Alex can pull out a clean sheet or two at home regardless of the opposition.
So what does that mean for fantasy managers? Well, in the short term – it means that Smalling and Jones (both 5.5M) give you instant access into a Top 4 defense on the cheap. Furthermore, Fabio (5M) and Jonny Evans (4.5M) could even be set for extended action depending on Patrice Evra’s recovery from injury and/or Fabio moving over to RB.
My predicted United starting back line with Vidic (back) / Rio (hamstring) out and Evra is fit again is Evra at left back, Smalling and Jones at CB and Fabio at RB. Don’t forget that Fabio was first choice RB to close the season last year. At 5M, he could be the fantasy acquisition of the fall if he establishes himself in that role. Evans would provide cover off the bench at 4.5M but is not worth investment unless you are the riskiest of fantasy managers or you have plans in place to poison Smalling or Jones at the training ground.
So there you have it. Despite losing experienced Premier League veterans O’Shea and Brown, Manchester United look set to keep a clean sheet or two in their next few home fixtures despite difficult opposition – and with their defensive assets priced on the cheap, fantasy managers could go against the grain and truly benefit.
Good luck to all managers.
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You make fun of the state that Arsenal is in but in the same breath throw out that Man U in its present state is a top four club. While in no way do I doubt the red devils ability to weather this storm with the team holding the sickest goal differential last season, I do question the wisdom of buying into a defense that is composed of four second choice defenders and a goalkeeper with a cloud over his head. One could just as easily argue that Arsenal’s Squillaci should be bought. I recommend against both.
Not making fun of the state of Arsenal just saying they are in a very difficult situation.
Jones and Smalling are a proven partnership in England U-21 and Jones has a great season or 2 under his belt at Blackburn in the Premier League – can’t really compare to Squillaci who has always looked mediocre in big games over the last year.
I’m not recommending to buy into this defense as a first choice for fantasy managers though I am mentioning that the likes of FABIO at 5M or Smalling at 5.5M or Jones at 5.5M could offer more value than mid-table defenders like Roger Johnson who cost the same amount (5M) and are much more widely owned for example.