Sir Alex Ferguson gets selection headaches owing to the new Premier League rules
Sir Alex Ferguson, the long serving manager of Manchester United, has admitted that new Premier League rules have given him a selection dilemma. Injured midfielders Anderson and Owen Hargreaves are the biggest concern for the Scottish manager, as Ferguson has to make a decision whether to include these names in the 25 man squad, come 1st September 2010.
The new rules of the Premier League state that all the Premier League clubs are to name a squad of 25 players by 1st September 2010, and these 25 players will represent the clubs till the winter transfer window opens. Out of the 25, eight must be “home grown” players, which means that they must have spent at least three years at an English or Welsh club, before their 21st birthday. The rules however allow an unlimited number of additional players who are below the age of 21 before 1st January 2011.
The rule has created much trouble for a number of clubs, including rivals Manchester City, who will have to sell or loan at least 13 players by 1st September, or practically make them sit at home, till January. City boasts a squad of 38 members currently, and looks to add more high profile signings to the side. This will become a problem as there is just over a month left before the transfer window closes, and City have to sell or loan 13 players by that time.
Similarly, 18 time champions Manchester United will also have to name its squad, and Ferguson will not want any slot to be useless. Out of the two, Owen Hargreaves would be the player who will most probably axed from the 25 man squad. Hargreaves suffered from knee issues since September 2008, and could not return to action ever since (counting out the 2 minutes substitute appearance).
United will therefore most probably let go of the injured midfielder. Brazilian midfielder Anderson is also on the recovery road, after picking up a serious knee injury, which ruled him out of the rest of the season as well as the World Cup. The midfielder is set to return by September, but many expect Anderson to be excluded from the list as well.
Ferguson confirmed that the rules did give him a problem, but will wait as long as he can before announcing the final list. Sir Alex was aware that he will have to make a decision sooner than later, and will have to make his mind when to utilize the injured player. The manager was convinced over who will be the majority of the players making the list, but is still confused on one or two players.
The Red Devils are currently on a pre-season tour of the USA, and played an MLS All-Star team on Wednesday. United won their opening two matches of the pre-season, dismantling Celtics 3-1 and signing off a close victory from Philadelphia. Manchester United, however, lost 2-1 from Kansas City Wizards, owing to controversy; many of the starting XI players were missing.
Ferguson explained his decision of playing a young time, claiming that player fitness is currently an issue at United. The manager added that he does not want his players to be injured in the pre-season and will have to leave players like John O Shea and Darren Fletcher out of the All Star game as well. Ferguson still hoped that his youngster will be able to live up to the expectation, and deliver the result that is expected.
"It is the penultimate game of the tour and the biggest one. We appreciate the record the MLS has against the English sides - they are undefeated in these games.", stated Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ferguson’s men slipped to the second spot in the Premier league last season, and will want to regain the title, in order to make history. There are counted days left in Ferguson’s career, who is now 69, and will want his squad to be fully fit, motivated and in top form before the league starts in mid August.
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