Alex Ferguson should sign Emile Heskey for Manchester United

Maybe I’m a bit biased but I believe that playing two short strikers up front is a tactic unsuitable for the modern game. It didn’t work for Manchester United against Villarreal on Wednesday: Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez hardly had a chance. Think of Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane, Michael Owen and his various small partners for club and country, perhaps even Keane and Fernando Torres, though it's early for them. All good players, but not together.

Villarreal were so comfortable against United, as were Zenit St Petersburg against United last month. It wasn’t a case of Sir Alex Ferguson’s side missing chances or being unlucky in front of goal – they simply weren’t creating many opportunities. Defenders don’t mind if their opponents are full of flicks and tricks if they’re far away from goal, unable to penetrate areas where they might be a threat.

Lately, United have been easy on the eye, keeping the ball nicely, working hard, always looking decent, but the end product is nonexistent. Quick, exciting, technical players who float around up front are trendy and they’re fantastic to watch, but they can’t do all that’s needed to score on their own. Teams have to create the conditions in which they can thrive.

That means a tall, powerful, target man to play alongside a smaller forward. Sounds old-fashioned? Think about how centre backs have evolved. In years gone by, they were sluggish, lumbering, a nippy striker could turn them and outrun them with ease. Now at the top level even the 6ft 3in, bulky guys are good, quick athletes. They’re not scared by pace – the days of the carthorse centre half are over. So they need to be distracted by someone who can match them for strength and height, otherwise they’re too comfortable.

Defences get worried when they feel a team could score from anywhere. But to give an example, Rooney and Tevez will only score headers if they manage to get in front of their defenders. If a cross is hung up at all, it will be cleared easily. No pressure for the back line; one possible route to goal is cut off.

For United, the player that’s been missing is Cristiano Ronaldo, though Dimitar Berbatov should fit the bill as well. Ronaldo is not a typical target man of course, but he’s physically strong and good in the air, he preoccupies defenders, which gives Rooney and Tevez more freedom inside the 18-yard box. If Ferguson was to sign Emile Heskey, he’d be ridiculed. Heskey, at Old Trafford? Sounds laughable, but he’d be a perfect fit because he’d make Tevez and Rooney more effective.

England would never have beaten Croatia 4-1 if Heskey hadn’t been there to hassle the defence, fight the physical battle and create space for Joe Cole, Theo Walcott and Rooney to thrive. It’s not just that opponents feel uncomfortable when a strong striker such as Heskey is crowding them, it’s also that creative attackers feel confident enough to gamble on making forward runs when they know there’s a target man able to win headers, flick the ball on or hold it up. They don’t hang back, worried that if they advance, their side will lose the ball straight away and they’ll be watching it soar back over their heads.

Think how good Frank Lampard usually looks when Didier Drogba’s in the Chelsea side – because when Drogba’s making mayhem in the penalty area, Lampard’s running up to take advantage, gobbling up the loose balls. It’s not surprising that Owen loves playing with Heskey or that Defoe looks a threat next to Peter Crouch at Portsmouth.

Comments

[Blue Baby]

I was laughing my head off at this headline and then I thought maybe this is what Chelsea need, a big man for Anelka to play off.

[Sam]

"The days of the carthorse centre-back are over"?!?

We've got one captaining the England team, seemingly getting slower every week!

[Nico]

have u lost the plot,i'd rather sign a new zealand rugby player, jonah lomu would do better than emile heskey

[M Smith]

Heskey wasn't good enough for an average Liverpool team a few years ago and is not now good enough for Man U!!!!
Once again Tony you have stunned but not shocked with your latest insight to the game.

[elixelx]

There are few enough teams in La Primera Liga that are capable of scoring on Villareal, so it should come as no surprise that MU wasn't able to. That's three 0-0 draws against Villareal, including when the BIG GUY, van Nistlerooy, was up front.

That's why this article is rubbish, just the raving of a MU basher, using the occasion to bash MU.

More to the point: why hasn't Villareal's manger, Pelligrini, been given the credit he deserves. With other teams' castoffs--Forlan, Riquelme, Senna, Pires, Nihat--and a bunch of home-grown talent, he has fashioned a team that can play FOOTBALL!

Posession, trickery, ball control; Villareal have managed to come in 2nd. or 3rd. in La Liga for four seasons on the trot and actually only lost to Arsenal on a disputed goal in the Champions' semi-final two years ago. They have a smaller fan-base and stadium than most 2nd. Div sides in the UK and still manage to play solid, consistent, pleasing TOP-CLASS football week-in, week-out.

If Man U want a manager after Ferguson, they could do a lot worse than that unflappable football brain sitting on the Villareal bench--that Chilean Gentleman, Pelligrini!

[Micky]

Defoe 5'7 (170cm) Keane 5'9 (175cm)
Berbatov 6'2.5" (189cm) Torres 6'1 (185cm)
Manucho 6'2 (188cm) Rooney 5'10 (178cm) and Tevez is 5'6 (166cm) These stats say it all for any discussions.

In United's treble year, Cole 5'10 and Yorke 5'9 were scoring numerous headers, so players around this height should be scoring headers and testing the defence more frequently than they are.

United nearly won the treble last season (if not for some ridiculous officiationg against Pompey) and started off with 2 points in the first 3 matches. Sure the league have a sense of humour in sending us to Anfield and Stamford Bridge back to back, but there is nothing than can be done to change it. I'd take any points from the Bridge, if its 3, then all the better. Too early to create a crisis. Last season we started off slow, got some valuable 1-0 wins then came out of our shells and won the league. Way too early for a crisis, wait for 10-12 more league matches before hitting the panic button.

[peter yiannis]

Heskey is a very underated player and he does not get the credit that he deserves.Capello is no fool and he rewarded him by playing a blinder against Croatia.
He may not be the worlds most prolific goalscorer, but he is big and strong ,good in the air ,has good movement, hussles defences, keeps and passes the ball well and creates goalscoring chances for the more pacey shorter co- strikers.

Man Utd had a great spell when Henrick Larsen joined them on loan, and it was very evident last season that at times they desperately needed a taller target man , as Saha was injured and that role was often played by Ronaldo.
It was the main reason Fergie chased Berbatov with such passion.

Man Utd,s problem is that Rooney and Tevez are very similar players and Fergie will have a massive problem finding a system and formation that will SUCCESFULLY accommodate Rooney , Tevez, Berbatov, Ronaldo,without playing one of them out of position. Rooney looked ineffective against Liverpool playing wide on the right.That is definitely not his best position.Now with Ronaldo fit, how and where does he play Rooney and Tevez in the same team? What a wonderful headache for Fergie !
Yes , Tony is right , Heskey would have been a great addition and would have provided Fergie with even more options and headaches.
But the most irreplaceble player at Man Utd is the great R.Giggs.Where on earth do you find a player of his calibre, ability and integrity and how much will he cost in todays crazy tranfer market?

[Raymond]

I am afraid this article is drivel. Use Heskey as a front target man for Rooney to drop off? Berbatov (who is 20x the player Heskey is)has only played 1 game and will need a little time to settle in. I am afraid the lump it up to the big bloke in the box tactic is dead, dont forget Man U won the CL and the PL with Rooney, Tevez and Ronaldo, Berba will only enhance the team.

[Gavin]

Fergie said he wouldnt buy Keane for 20m, but went and bought Berbatov...what a joke. He is a 15 goal a season man at best, and a whinger with it. He'll end up on the bench more times than he plays, mark my words. He doesnt fit the work ethic that Fergie demands. And Heskey would score more if he was given the main goalscoring role. But with Liverpool, Birmingham, WIgan and England, his role is to take defenders out, flick the ball on, and generally to the donkey work for the little man up front. At Leicester and Liverpool he had a very decent scoring record, but i think the last few years he has turned into a massively effective front man who sacrifices glory for the team. Therefore, I agree with Cas, he would do a great job for United.

[Sam, Leeds]

I can see where Tony is coming from, I rate Heskey, he is ideal for the national team as we just cant seem to compete technically and tactically with 2 small quick strikers up front. In the Premiership however, although there is no doubt that Heskey could prove effective for Manchester United, Its all about the all round game, and Berbatov has much more in his locker to find something different in the big games. Does Heskey offer the flair and composure needed in big games?

[manou]

i dont feel like i need to add any more com,but going by your theory liverpool would have won the league last season with crouch presence and the previous ones when heskey was playing for them, and maybe pompey,wigan and villa will finnish above UTD this term!!! is this some sort of joke! whats making the PL the best inthe world today is the players with skill and are very good on the ball. not your heskey, crouch, carew and co. nuff said.

[Dan O'Donnell]

I think recommending Heskey for United is a bit off, however realising the need for a target man for other players to play off is not at all tactically unsound for those of you who question it. United were successful due to having the best players and having the guile to play a unique system last year. But I do believe we suffer due to a lack of physical presence up front at times.
If anyone doubts the merits of a big-man/little-man partnership look at Arsenal (Adebayor with the likes of Walcott, Nasri, etc running on) Chelsea (Drogba with Cole and Lampard) Villa's current form with Carew, Agbonlahor and Young, Everton have got the Yak and Anichebe, Man City have Jo, and think what may of been if Rafa had the foresight to start with Crouch in the 2007 European Cup final (before Crouch came off the bench and caused havoc with every cross and long ball against an outstanding Milan defence). It makes sound tactical sense to me, and as the best teams in the Prem have big-men/little-men it looks like most managers agree. These strong and industrious centre forwards are often hugely important during team play. And does it matter if they dont score every week? Kevin Davis is a pretty handy forwrad in my book and although he isn't always the one scoring Bolton would never score without him.
Heskey is not the player for United but I believe that a fit and firing Berba will be, although I'm worried he bottles it on the big occasion (sorry fellow United fans). Hope he proves me wrong.

[richard dow]

oooH you've upset people Tony, I agree your dead on. Some of the comments are priceless why play him? what about him?
You pick the players that are most effective in your style of play, Heskey as your front man liberates Rooney to do what he does best , that also allows CRonaldo to do the Support striker/ wide right slot if theres no place for Berbatov/ Tevez TOUGH.
Only picking the best individual players does not make a great team. Have we all forgot Real, The Galacticos & Beckham. Capello's found out you dont need all your A listers to produce a winning performance. (even though it wasn't as good as some would have you believe)

[Luke]

United had a slow start last season as well, but still ended up doing the Prem and UCL double.

Once Ronaldo gets going and Berb beds in, they'll do their usual 12 match winning streak and turbo past the others.

As for Heskey, I'm a Birmingham and England fan and, whilst he's good enough for my two sides, he wouldn't get a look in at United. Sir Alex has this cunning trick he employs that separates him from people like Cascarino - it's called being a successful manager.

[Piers]

United can play well and dangerously enough with just Tevez and Rooney as strikers, the problem is not the personnel in this case, it is the tactics. They just aren't passing or moving quick enough to create the space that is required for these players to thrive.

[David Cooper]

I usually agree with Tony but this is utter garbage.

United won the premiership and the champions league with Rooney and Tevez up front last season.

Results haven't been too clever this season admitedly but if United win on Sunday which isn't beyond the realms of all possibility then United are 3 points behind Chelsea with a game in hand.

Jeez a couple of bad results then all of a sudden United are in some sort of crisis.

[Mike]

Not quite sure where you're going with this Cass - For a start Torres is 6ft plus.... I didn't think Robbie Keane was that small, but I could be wrong...

Only this I would say in favour of signing Heskey, is that he would do the donkey work and allow Rooney to display some flair, instead of Rooney doing the donkey work and Ronaldo displaying the flair...

[King Kong]

Dude if you play Heskey with Rooney and Tevez, where would Berbatov play? on the bench?

Berbatov is a 10 x Heskey in terms of value and also skill, composure, passing, anticipation, pace...you name it, he's better than Heskey.

Dude...sigh...

[Dan O'Keeffe]

Cas, you were Ireland's top goalscorer for quite some time and you'll get eternal credit in my book for that, but you sound like a broken record! I don't think I've ever seen tactical analysis on your part that constitutes anything other than 'get a big man in there, and get the ball in the mixer'!
However successful it was for the Irish, for Milwall, etc etc, it's an unsophisticated way of playing, and is inneffective at the highest level. I am a huge advocate of having a strong centre-forward to give your attack a focal point, but your constant harping on about 'one little one large' loses all its validity because it's the only tactic you seem capable of advocating!

[Scott]

As Barak Obama, said you can put lipstick on a pig but its still a pig. Putting an poor/average player in a good team won't make that team or player any better. Shows how bad England are for strikers that Heskey gets a game. Alex is desperate but isn't daft.

[adam]

Man utd rely on movement, pace and technical ability and you want them to go back to the dark days of lumping the ball up field and hoping for the best?

[Dobbin]

Yeah with the two little men upfront, and no traditional target man, all you can win is say...the Premier League and the Champions League.

Get over yourself Cascarino, just because beanpoles like yourself, Quinn, Hately, and Alan Smith were allowed to showcase your skills in the 80's doesn't mean we want a return to those dark days.

[Gary Kolhi]

Keane's form is worrying - last season it was Gerrard and Alonso (when fit) that were providing the ball to Torres with Kuyt and Pennant feeding (as best they could) from the wings. Keane doesn't seem to fit into the jigsaw.

[Tom]

Wow Tony, and to think you haven't been considered amongst the canditates to replace Alex Ferguson! Heskey or Berbatov, now there's a tough one.

[Phil Daniels]

Cascarino, were you by any chance a big plodding centre forward? How many goals did United score last year with Tevez and Rooney in the side? So United should by Heskey and presumably leave out two from Berbatov, Tevez, Rooney and Ronaldo. By the way, United also have a very large, useful looking and now available Manucho.