Defence Conundrum

Theo Walcott zoomed across the face of goal, dragging Vidic with him and opening the floodgates for Samir Nasri to fire in anger and put his and Arsenal's second past United at The Emirates. 2-0. Game over. If that was a low moment, then li'l Rafael Da Silva's stunner of a first ever goal for United salvaged some pride. But what really set things straight was the next 14 games. United's defence, in simple terms, shut shop. Not an earthworm could swirm through. Not even the ghosts of some of the best strikers in the World could sneak past the walls. Rio Ferdinand's words in a Nike ad "Let no man pass" was a reality on the pitch. Rio and Vidic flanked by Evra, Rafael and O'Shea were a force that no team could stand up to, for 14 matches at a stretch. It was a total black out. Finally it took a great strike by Roque Santa Cruz to breach United's wall and a lucky goal by Loevenkrantz to finally put one past Van Der Sar. It was the platform on which United dared to dream of collecting 7 trophies. They pulled upshort at the last step on two occasions but last season's defence was a phenomenon rarely witnessed before. Vidic was performing in a parallel universe where strikers were persona non grata.

Fast forward to now...

Rio Ferdinand: Has stumbled from one injury to another
Vidic: Exactly what's his injury? Marginally better than Rio in terms of appearances but nothing to write home about
Yet to play in central defence along side each other since early November
O'Shea: Miserable season that reads Captaincy-injury-comeback-injury-comeback-Henry'ed in Paris - injured-Out for the season
Neville: At 35, it's hardly the time for him to get injured every month, get back on the field without full fitness and get injured again
Evans: Looks like Alice in Wonderland without Vidic or Rio to guide him. Has showed his immense talent but when faced with strong opposition, he's wilted under the pressure. Everton and AC Milan come to mind immediately
Brown: Let's face it, he's never gonna be United's first choice centre back EVER. Has been an able deputy all season but he's no Vidic
Rafael: Seems to be getting into the Marcelo mode. Great when bombing forward. Remember Wigan? But seems to lose his head when defending against World class wingers. Ronaldinho skinned him too many times though he stood upto 'Dinho bravely. But then, he's 19, he's certainly on his way to donning the no.2 jersey
Evra: Captain courageous! Has ANYbody played more minutes than him this season?? Every match, every competition, every weekend and midweek, the pint sized Frenchman's been a livewire down that wing. The rock in the defence. Counting down to the reserves, we had 9 defenders injured at a point of time and still he was up and kicking. Deserves the armband.
De Laet, Fabio: Ask me this time season after next

Within a span of one year, United's defence has gone from being the best in the World to the most chaotic unit in the team. Injuries have wreaked havoc and transfer speculations have done their bit to lower the already drooping morale. The central defensive pair that had as much a hand in last season's successes as El Ron is barely recognizable this season. Carrick, Flethcer, De Laet, Giggs, everyone and their cousins from Mars have played defenders this season. Last time Fergie could pick his first choice defenders was against Liverpool in early November or October. Since then it's been a patch up job of unseen proportions. The bench has become a field hospital. Instances of defenders breaking down right before kickoff hardly seem to surprise people these days. It's become so bloody common! Rio, at 31, and his back, at 62, seem to be past the days of playing week in week out for club and country. Even if he is to make a full recovery, it'll be hard for him to play more than 3-4 matches at a stretch. Vidic, if he can get over his personal issues and mysterious injuries, can still give 3-4 prime seasons before getting intot eh Rio-mode but there's a huge question mark hanging over that at the moment. And if reports of his family's inability to settle in England are to be believed then I don't think Barca or Real Madrid will think twice before giving United a blank cheque for the Serb.
Johnny Evans is at least a season away from playing week in week out as United's no.5. he's shown his potential but the rawness of the 22 year old is there for all to see. He needs some serious tutelage under Rio and Vidic. Wes Brown... will be Wes Brown till he retires as the man who served United whenever they were without their first choice defenders. Nothing much different can be said about John O'Shea. So where does that leave United?
Nightmare scenario: Rio continues the way he is, now. Vidic does the same as Rio or worse, leaves for Spain/Italy.
It leaves United with 20-25 million in cash, one good, young central defender on his way to greatness but not there yet, one awesome but crocked England captain, and Wes Brown. And Chris Smalling. If his performance against Chelsea for Fulham are anything to go buy, Fergie's pulled off a coup by signing the kid for 7 mil. But he'll have to be monitored for atleast 6 months before blooding him full time. And it'll be a ridiculous risk playing a 20 year old and a 22 year old in central defence. Add Rafael to that and we might as well ask Paul McGuinness to move his academy to Old Trafford.
Bottomline: If Vidic and/or Ferdidand are gonna be like this next season, we're in God almighty trouble. We need a defender.

Who?
Fergie's favourite Simon Klaer:
Plus: Totally in the Vidic mode. Rock solid.
Minus: He's younger than Jonny Evans. Hard to see him leading United's defensive line. Sergio Ramos, inspite of having been a teenage prodigy is struggling to do it at Real. Will be a huge ask if Kjaer is pulled up to lead the line.

Mamadou Sakho:
Plus: Has plied his trade in the French league so naturally fast and physical too. On the brink of breaking into Raymond Domenech’s squad

Minus: Same as Kjaer. Lack of experience. Haven’t seen much of him in the Champions League so whether he can perform at the top level remains to be seen.

Gary Cahill:

Plus: Proven performer. Right age to make the big move. Has earned his salt under some of the hardest task masters in the league. Has earned a national team call up as well. Covetous glances from Chelsea and Juventus mean he’s someone to be looked at seriously

My 2 cents:

Branislav Ivanovic:

Chelsea’s unsung Player of the Season. Whether at centre back or right back, the Serb has been sensational. He’s been no slouch whether it is at getting into rough tackles or bombing forward – he’s matched Ashley Cole at that, which is REALLY something. His performance in last year’s Champions League double headers against Liverpool was a joy to behold. Definitely, a wasted talent at Chelsea, as second choice to Bosingwa and Ricardo Carvalho.

Bruno Alves:

The bedrock of Portugal’s defence, Alves has risen fast to become one of the best centre backs in Europe. It’s only a matter of time before the biggies of Europe come calling on him so if United want a World class centre back and are ready to shell out $20 million or above then we better move fast on him.

Ryan Shawcross:

The one that got away. Just where was Fergie’s eye for talent when he let the gangling youngster leave for Stoke? The Potters’ captain has fast risen to being one of the best young defenders in the league and has earned a maiden call up to Capello’s squad. That he plies his trade under Tony Pulis means he’s a tough no-nonsense defender. His horrendous tackle on Aaron Ramsey –albeit unintentional- shows he’s not loathe to get into crunching tackles. Will be one hell of a buy for $12m but considering we could’ve had him for free, it’s a transfer long overdue.

Rabbit out of the hat: The Fergie-Ole way. Get someone whose name will have to be looked up by the media… till he makes an all too familiar Old Trafford debut. Vegard Forren from Ole’s old club probably….