These quotes are threadworthy for the fact Ince has been washed from our history some what because of a label put on him, which I personally believe left him so embittered, he was prepared to join our most hated enemy out of spite/rebuttal. I‘ve been on the caf for quite some time, but can’t recall a time Ince was discussed, in such disgrace is he. What many who only know of the taint won’t know is that he was an exceptional player for us, and paired with another 2-way midfielder, about the optimum of how a proper CM duo play in a 4-4-2 where both can do everything to a level some way above standard. Ince could go or sit, cover or press, pass or receive and he had the bravery and conviction in his every action that both Robson and Keane are revered for to this very day. Any combination from the three of them was - or would be - exceptional. Ince has been washed from history as a whole; his career with England barely ever spoken about and it being a mortal sin to mention him in relation to United, so it was refreshing to see the quotes below:
They are the prompt for the thread, as it’s so rare to even see Ince’s name, unless to mock him in some manner. The power of influence great managers have with their words is no more in evidence than with Ince; perhaps the three next markers down or equivalent to how Ince‘s reputation was sullied evermore are: “he needs 5 chances to score”; “virus”; “he’s asked to leave the club” all phrases have immediate association and taint that never washed off, all of them are agenda (forgive me) driven and served their purpose with diabolical genius, as some never gave these players a chance again after those remarks.
Anyway, it’s neither here nor there what you think of Ince the person, but how should he be regarded as a Manchester United player? What he did whilst here, how should it be regarded, and where would you rank him as a player? Some in the Keane xi thread don’t seem to know that there isn’t any substantial dip in a 4-4-2 with Ince in it over Scholes; one gives you far superior ball distribution and attacking prowess, the other gives you balance, aggression, athleticism and the ability to contest for anything through the spine of the side; it really is apples to oranges and not an absurdity as some put forward.
If you are old enough to have seen Ince and are able to be objective, how do you rate him? Equally, if you’ve not seen him play, how has the player been framed in your mind’s eye?
