Most football fans love this time of the year. Just after most of the friendlies have been played, but just before the start of the season proper. It?s always time for optimism ? if your side won most of your friendlies, then great, they?re bound to take the league by storm, right? If your side lost most of your friendlies, then that?s alright because they?re only friendlies, and all the bosses? new signings need time to gel. Then, of course, you?re bound to take the league by storm.

Of course, I say most football fans. There are other football fans that see this time of year as a time for bleak pessimism. If your side won most of your friendlies, then it doesn?t matter anyway because they?re only friendlies, but if you lose all of your friendlies then you?ve started in the worse possible way, and of course, things can only get worse from thereon in.

Personally I?d like to think I stand more-or-less in the middle. Actually, it?s more the case that I veer wildly between the two. Finally signing a decent midfielder in Michael Carrick made me optimistic, until his injury and my realisation that we still have Darren Fletcher in the squad (I had used hypnotherapy to block it out) made me pessimistic again. And so on and so forth until the first day of the season, when I will be delirious with optimism of what the current season will bring?.

?Right up until the moment Frank Lampard seals a dour 2-0 win for Chelsea in their first with a deflected goal.

And bang! The optimism will be gone. It?ll come back, from time to time, but it?ll never be quite as fervent as on the first day of the season, when I can really believe that maybe we could catch Chelsea. I can think that maybe it?ll be a really close, really exciting title race this year. Maybe it?ll be a fight between us and Chelsea and Arsenal and Liverpool, and Spurs will be up there and maybe a surprise side no one expected will be there, punching above it?s weight and becoming everyone?s second team in the process.

I know that it?s unlikely (the exciting title race bit more than mid-table side punching above it?s weight bit) but for the moment, I can dream about that in the season ahead. And looking at our squad I actually think that I have some real reasons to be optimistic. The arrival of an extra midfielder and goalkeeper are welcome, and rumours persist of a move for Marcos Senna of Villareal, something that may materialise in the next few days. In addition there are still stories circulating about Fergie?s desire to sign another striker (something that I don?t think we need, and especially not if it?s Adriano, but that?s for another article). So, aside from one (or maybe two) probable signings, this Man Utd?s squad for the 2006/7 season:

Goalkeepers

Edwin van der Sar ? Apart from the odd mistake here and there, the big Dutchman provided us with stability in goal we haven?t had since you-know-who left. His advancing years are not much of a problem, and he seems as agile now as he was in his Ajax days.

Thomas Kuszczak ? You?re all going to think me harsh and judgemental, I know, but to me our new signing (on a season-long loan from the Baggies) will always be the man who conceded a goal from another goalkeeper?s clearance. In a pre-World Cup friendly for Poland against Colombia, Kuszczak let his opposite number?s looooong punt forward bounce over his head and into the net. Now I know it was only a friendly, and I know that was one mistake from an otherwise promising young keeper, but still?he let the damn goalie score! I?m finding it hard to move past that particular fact.

Tim Howard ? Ah Timmy, and I had such high hopes for you. I thought an excellent first Premiership season back in 2003/4 was just the beginning for the big American, but he could not sustain that form and Fergie turned to van der Sar to provide consistency in goal. Second choice last season, Howard has been sent on a season-long loan to Everton. I?d be very surprised to see him return.

Ben Foster ? Seems to be a young keeper with immense promise. After helping Watford to a surprise promotion with some excellent performances while on loan there last season, Foster was called up as a reserve for the England World Cup squad following Robert Green?s injury. Not bad for a man who?s yet to make an appearance in the top division, though that arguably says more about the dearth of English goalkeeping talent than it does about Foster?s ability. He does seem to have real promise though, and expect him to continue his excellent development with Watford again this season.

Defenders

Gary Neville ? What can I say about this man? Consistently good, committed, reliable, a great crosser and a good, honest captain. The best right back in the league.

Rio Ferdinand ? I feel like I?ve been saying this for years: Ferdinand has all the attributes to be a world-class defender, but he?s not. He needs to sort out problems he appears to have concentration, as well as the general lackadaisical attitude he seems to display on the pitch. I really hope this will be his year to justify that price tag.

Nemanja Vidic ? Took time to settle in last season, but shows signs of being a tough-tackling no-nonsense centre back in the style of Jaap Stam. Is not the quickest, but his attributes should supplement those of Ferdinand very well.

Gabriel Heinze ? The much-loved Argentinean was greatly missed when he was injured last season. A rugged, hard-working defender, he?s a willing runner whos ability to play at centre back as well gives us great options. Fantastic to see him back.

Mikael Silvestre ? Not much I can say about this guy that hasn?t already been said. A decent enough defender on his day, but far too error-prone to be included in a regular, solid back four.

Wes Brown ? Considered by many to be our finest centre back, and when he?s on top form it?s hard to disagree. In a fairer world Brown would be really challenging Rio for the centre back spot, but Rio?s reputation (and hefty price tag) are likely to mean he will be picked ahead of Brown when fit. I hope he gets his chance this year and finds the consistency that will make it impossible for Fergie to leave him out.

Patrice Evra ? Came from Monaco with a reputation as one of the best left-backs in France, but has yet to live up to that billing. At the time I questioned the need for his signing as we already have Heinze, Silvestre and O?Shea capable of playing left back and I felt the money could be better spent elsewhere. Is likely to struggle to get in the side this season now that Heinze is back, but could figure should Fergie decide to move Heinze to the centre (and he can also play left wing if needed, which is a bonus).

John O?Shea ? The versatile young Irishman has failed to live up to the standards he set in his breakthrough season at the club (during which he frequently played left back, a position he has rarely occupied since). This is the year O?Shea needs to establish himself in the team (and decide upon his best position) lest he get stuck with the tag of being a Jack of many trades but a master of none.

Phil Bardsley ? Promising youngster who did well last year as Gary Neville?s understudy. Not quite ready for regular action, but an able deputy for the captain.

Midfielders

Michael Carrick ? Hopefully the large price tag won?t act as a millstone around his neck, nor will the pressure of inheriting the number 16 from the great Roy Keane. I still think he?s overpriced, but I?ll reserve judgement for now. If, at the very least, he continues where he left off at Spurs last season, he?ll improve our midfield.

Paul Scholes ? Has looked more like the Paul Scholes of old in pre-season, full of energy and scoring goals from midfield (and yes, he still can?t tackle). After being rather lacklustre last season, he?ll want to prove he?s not on the decline just yet.

Cristiano Ronaldo ? Public enemy #1 for a lot of people, but personally couldn?t care less about what happened in the World Cup. If he can consistently find his top form and produce a better final ball (or shot) after his mazy dribbles, he could really come into his own this season. Signs from pre-season are that the boos and jeers of opposition fans are spurring him on rather than breaking his spirit. If he can cut out the diving (and its not just the diving than annoys people, but also the fact he?s so awful at it ? how do you think so many people notice?) he could be a truly great player for us.

Park Ji-Sung ? Or ?T-shirt? as a friend of mine lovingly refers to him. I?ve always liked Park, he?s useful in that he can play on either wing and will always give his all for the team. If only he could learn to shoot?

Ryan Giggs ? He may not be as quick as he used to be, but Ryan can still be a force for us. Another who will always work for the cause, he proved himself a surprisingly able central midfielder last season, and his skill with a dead ball is an important supply of goals,

Darren Fletcher ? Ah Darren. Hardly the most beloved player among United fans, and it?s not hard to see why. It?s not so much that he?s bad; it?s just that he?s not particularly good, either. He?s like the Scottish Ray Parlour. Reliable enough, but hardly top-class.

Kieran Richardson ? Another player who I?m yet to be convinced by. While he shows flashes of ability, and was excellent for West Brom in the season before last, he has yet to show the form for us that earned him those 2 England caps. Again, his versatility is useful, but may well find his options limited this season.

Liam Miller ? Has been told he can leave, and not before time. Was never going to be good enough to hold down a regular place in the side.

Potential New Signing ? Likely to be a defensive midfielder, most probably the Spanish international Marcos Senna. I?ve already expressed my views on this potential signing elsewhere, but I think he would add some much-needed bite to our midfield.

Forwards

Wayne Rooney ? He?s fast becoming our most influential player, and it?s amazing to think he?s still only 20. Is likely to be a marked man as far as referees are concerned this season, and much watch his temperament and learn to keep cooler when things aren?t going his way. Other than that, I hope he continues where he left off last season and if he clicks with Saha again we might not miss van Nistelrooy.

Louis Saha ? After having a largely unmemorable World Cup, Saha returns to United as a likely first-choice striker. He was mostly excellent for us last season, his pace; unselfishness and strength in the air gave our attack a much more exciting, unpredictable air. This season could be the one where he fully justifies the ?12.6m fee and the faith the manager has shown in him.

Alan Smith ? Fergie naming Smith in his list of strikers for the coming season could be seen as a tacit admission that the ?Alan Smith is the new Roy Keane? experiment didn?t work. Smith, for all his aggression and his love of a tackle, never had the positional nouse to play as a defensive midfielder, and is likely to be happier switching back to his natural centre forward role. He?s never been prolific, but should still grab a few this year.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ? A player seemingly universally admired, not just for his ability at putting the ball in the net, but also for his willingness to do whatever is necessary to help the team and the fact that he never, ever, moans. You get the sense that Ole really knows he?s living the dream playing professional football and it?s nice to see. I hope he can stay injury free and have what may be one final season playing at his best. He deserves it.

Giuseppe Rossi ? The American-born Italian Under-21 striker is one of the hottest prospects at the club. Made a handful of appearances for the first team last year and scored an excellent goal against Sunderland, and continued to bang them in for the reserves. The fact that Fergie refused to let him go on loan to the Hawthorns as a makeweight in the Kuszczak deal shows that he expects him to feature more often in the first team this year.

Potential New Signing ? We?ve been linked with a few strikers this summer, but all the rumoured deals seem rather unlikely. Torres isn?t going to come (not this year anyway) while rumours about Kuyt never felt true. Lately we?ve been linked with Inter?s Adriano for anywhere from ?15m to ?30m. I think either price would be too much. At the World Cup he looked sluggish and lazy, and looked the same for Inter most of last season whenever I saw him play. I think we look quite strong in the striking department anyway and don?t need anyone new.

All in all, I think our side is looking good to challenge Chelsea again. If Carrick can perform and Rooney and Saha click up front, we could have a real chance. Of course, I must take into account the fact that the other top 5 sides have strengthened their sides. Liverpool?s squad looks nicely balanced, and Bellamy will provide pace, as Cisse did, but allied to a sharper finish. Arsenal managed to keep Henry and sign Rosicky, an excellent creative schemer. With Senderos maturing into an excellent defender, if they can sign some better cover at the back they?ll challenge again. Spurs have brought in Zakora - who could really be a hit in the Premiership with his strength and speed - and Berbatov, who could well be the consistent goal scorer they have been lacking, and they?ll want at least top four this time around. There?s not much to say about Chelsea, really. Champions again? It?s hard to bet against it.

Elsewhere there?s plenty to look forward to this season. Can Martin O?Neill turn around Villa?s fortunes? Can Wigan have another great season, despite what looks on paper to be a weaker squad? How will a Curbs-less Charlton fare? Who will replace Sherear at Newcastle, and can they turn a team with plenty of exciting players into European contenders? What about Reading, Sheffield United and Watford? Can they follow the examples of Wigan and West Ham and upset the odds by staying up?

Whatever happens, it?s unlikely to be boring. Now if you?ll excuse me, I?m off to enjoy my optimism about our chances this season while it lasts.

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This entry was posted on Friday, August 11th, 2006 at 8:03 am and is filed under Manchester United. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. Both comments and pings are currently closed.