Who in your opinion would be an appropriate "2nd choice"?
Well, I cant say I have the best scouting network in Europe. But I'll throw my own opinion in here and try and tie it in with Sir Alex's ideas. The fact he has chosen Berbatov rather than say, a Huntelaar shows something. That he he wants a proper footballer, someone with good ideas on the ball and someone who can make an impact in a close game not just with a finish to a chance created, but with a piece of skill that could even find another team mate in a better position. So I'd suggest that SAF's own criteria is that he wants a player who isnt just going to wait for chances to arrive in the box.
But thats all we really have from the Berbatov link. Because he's said a lot of things which dont really tie in with Berbatov. Like looking at a young player. Perhaps he felt we could have got Benzema back then but now realises hes wasting his time? Perhaps he was still looking at candidates and hadnt chosen Berbatov yet.
Then he said an experienced player, but he said it right after talking about Manucho and Campbell if I remember correctly. In that context, almost everyone is 'experienced' compared to Campbell and Manucho who, neither of which had played in one of the top 3 leagues in europe at the time. So he could definately have meant Berbatov.
Or, by experience he could have meant the experience of having won competitions and having been an important player to a big club. Something Berbatov hasn't really done yet.
Regardless, personally I look here and see most fans on this site are wanting us to sign one of two players.
Berbatov and Hunterlaar.
The people championing Berbatov are saying "Look at his superb vision and technical ability. His fantastic link up play would lead to him linking up well with Rooney and Ronaldo and make him one of our stars."
The people championing Huntelaar are saying "Take the champions league final for example. Tevez missed 2 or 3 chances a top striker should be scoring and we could have wrapped the game up a lot easier, not tried our luck on penalties."
And for me,
the truth lies somewhere between these two arguments. Sadly there arent any players who are as clinical as Huntelaar but have as much footballing vision and talent as Berbatov. But you cant expect that. What there are though are players with similar finishing ability and similar vision and overall footballing talent to Berbatov, even if its a bit less than both.
Henry for example. Eto'o - though his vision isnt that close to Berbatov's at all, its still pretty good for a lead the line striker and he'd set up goals. David Villa too. And all 3 of those bring a lot of pace to go with it. Something which will only aid them in creating the space to use the said and detailed abilities above. Especially playing next to Rooney or Tevez - regardless of which one, both of them are among the top 5 or so creative strikers on the planet. The 3 I mentioned would gorge themselves on that creative ability next to them, create so many many oppertunities to be played in and when they are, they would make it count nearly everytime. That is simply how they have made their names.
Sadly, its looks like
none of the 3 are available this summer's end. But again I refer to scouting networks - I'm sure there are other players in the same sort of mold as the above. Maybe they arent young or the highest profile players on the planet, but if they bring the same sort of qualities I'd be extatic. So yes, I'd be happy with another Larsson type deal, as long as the player were in that mold. Maybe they'd spend most of the season as a backup to Rooney and Tevez, but thats okay with me too. Both Rooney and Tevez have a lot more to offer than they did last season and frankly its possible that by the end of the season, Rooney and Tevez have cemented themselves as not only our first choice strike-force for the foreseeable future, but as the best strike force in europe for the foreseeable future also.
Just that he has the option to do that and if he feels its right he'll do it. I wouldnt imagine Larsson was our first option a few years ago, but he plugged a gap for a while. Sometimes you cant get what you want and instead have to do whats right for the club. It was a surprise back then too - something he doesnt normally do. If he were to do something of a similar move now it would be a surprise, but we know its something he'll think about even if he decides against it.