Passing judgement on JSV's United future on the basis of one game against England is silly. He was probably hindered by the tendonitis problem he's had in his Achilles for a long time now - and the way the Argies play he's always going to be in problems when their game plan doesn't work, always going to look exposed.
There's little doubt that Veron regrets moving to England. The playing style, the mentality, the weather - it's probably all wrong. He's a proud man and hasn't started whining but it seems pretty obvious that only his pride prevents him from moving heaven and earth to get back to Serie A. And he's arguably carrying these frustrations with him into the world cup (not to mention a serious injury that'll almost certainly require surgery and three or four months out at some stage). On this basis you cannot expect to see what he's capable of...
However, I do think you can pass judgement on United's "Veron experiment" on the basis of an entire season with only 5-6 genuinely satisfactory performances. Time to evaluate:
First question:
Do we want to reshuffle the team completely in order to give JSV the chance to, hopefully, show his worth?
I'd say "no". The Prem is not Serie A and it probably wouldn't work trying to change everything to accommodate one player - with a huge risk that it wouldn't even improve our playing quality or results.
Second question:
Veron is still worth a lot of money. Given the previous point, is that money placed where it earns United the best possible "interest" (i.e. bound to a player who isn't really needed and doesn't fit into the existing side)?
I'd say "no". United have an abundance; no, make that an overabundance of players that like to orchestrate and dictate play. And lack top notch defenders and speedy attacking players with dribbling skills. That money would be better placed there.
Unfortunately, I don't think there's a chance in hell that Fergie will do anything about this. Too much pride invested - and furthermore it would be a problem to find anybody willing to meet United's asking price given Veron's chronic injury problems. I fear that JSV's stay in England could end in a very undignified manner.
I was enthusiatic when Fergie bought him but I think the club will need to learn that buying established star players carries a risk. It would be foolish to take the Veron tragedy as a reason for the world's richest club to stop bidding for the world's best players but two lessons should be learned: make damn sure sure that the player you bid for is the right player AND be willing to admit it if the "right player" turns out not to be so right after all - and take appropriate action!
Hopefully, United learning this lesson will be the one good thing to come out of this Tragedy.
There's little doubt that Veron regrets moving to England. The playing style, the mentality, the weather - it's probably all wrong. He's a proud man and hasn't started whining but it seems pretty obvious that only his pride prevents him from moving heaven and earth to get back to Serie A. And he's arguably carrying these frustrations with him into the world cup (not to mention a serious injury that'll almost certainly require surgery and three or four months out at some stage). On this basis you cannot expect to see what he's capable of...
However, I do think you can pass judgement on United's "Veron experiment" on the basis of an entire season with only 5-6 genuinely satisfactory performances. Time to evaluate:
First question:
Do we want to reshuffle the team completely in order to give JSV the chance to, hopefully, show his worth?
I'd say "no". The Prem is not Serie A and it probably wouldn't work trying to change everything to accommodate one player - with a huge risk that it wouldn't even improve our playing quality or results.
Second question:
Veron is still worth a lot of money. Given the previous point, is that money placed where it earns United the best possible "interest" (i.e. bound to a player who isn't really needed and doesn't fit into the existing side)?
I'd say "no". United have an abundance; no, make that an overabundance of players that like to orchestrate and dictate play. And lack top notch defenders and speedy attacking players with dribbling skills. That money would be better placed there.
Unfortunately, I don't think there's a chance in hell that Fergie will do anything about this. Too much pride invested - and furthermore it would be a problem to find anybody willing to meet United's asking price given Veron's chronic injury problems. I fear that JSV's stay in England could end in a very undignified manner.
I was enthusiatic when Fergie bought him but I think the club will need to learn that buying established star players carries a risk. It would be foolish to take the Veron tragedy as a reason for the world's richest club to stop bidding for the world's best players but two lessons should be learned: make damn sure sure that the player you bid for is the right player AND be willing to admit it if the "right player" turns out not to be so right after all - and take appropriate action!
Hopefully, United learning this lesson will be the one good thing to come out of this Tragedy.
