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Changing the Guard at Manchester United?

Published by Ian John on October 7, 2009

Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs are three names that, in time, will become as synonymous with Manchester United as the likes of George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton. The three members of, what was one time called ‘Fergie’s fledglings’, have had long, success laden careers at Old Trafford, but one wonders as season 2009-2010 progresses, whether two of the three “old men of Old Trafford” may well decide to call it quits come the end of the season.

Certainly in the case of Ryan Giggs, this seems unlikely. The former Welsh international has appeared more times for Manchester United than any other player, and Giggs, 36 in November, still very much remains a huge part of Sir Alex Fergusons plans for the team. Picked as PFA Player of the Year last season, Giggs has been in even better form this season, rolling back the years to produce moments of magic that have permeated his career. However while Giggs still remains a key first team player, it seems increasingly in the case of Scholes and Neville, that this is not the case.

Paul Scholes is probably Sir Alex Ferguson’s favourite player. Fergie has often remarked how the down to earth lad from Oldham would take approximately ten minutes to sign a new contract, whereas other major stars would take twelve months to even get round a table. Scholes is still a feature in the United side, but his influence is waning and the emergence of players like Carrick, Fletcher and Anderson, along with the talented youngsters Gibson mean that Scholes place in the team is no longer guaranteed.

Gary Neville too faces an uphill battle once he regains fitness. Fitness being a problem that has dogged him continually for several years now. With Wes Brown, John O’Shea and Johnny Evans all filling in admirably at right back in recent times, and the exciting young Brazillian Rafael Silva coming through the ranks, Ferguson has plenty of options available to him even if Neville is struck with an injury jinx.

So will this be their last season? Certainly for Giggs it will not be, Scholes I doubt, Gary Neville would be my favourite to hang up his boots, especially if his injury woes continue. However even if they continue to play on beyond this season, it is the closing of a wonderful era for Manchester United and these three talented and fortunate players, who got to play through pretty much all of it.

The future however, looks in very safe hands.

Image Courtesy of ***Ipure*** on Flickr.com

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