Whilst Sir Alex Ferguson sat prepared to watch his new dainty striker combine with his two dainty wingers, who would feed off the play from their newly purchased dainty attacking midfielder who was anchored by two dainty centre midfielders; I myself sat in preparation to watch a physical, un-muscular Everton side rip these small players to shreds like sacrificial lambs...They did. Although the signing of Dutch Striker Robin Van Persie is being heralded as the next coming of Christ and silverware; many people have seemed to overlook the problem that United have had for several seasons now in a physical, enforcing midfielder who wont be bullied quite as much as United were last night. Despite the fact that the best option for this role was a man they overlooked as they went for Arsenals captain, Alex Song who now plies is trade in Barcelona, there are still plenty of options for United in the Premier League; the best of which is tough tackling Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote, now here are 5 reasons why this is...
1. He Wont Be Bullied
Any right minded person can tell you that Manchester United were overrun by the physicality of Marouane Fellaini in between midfield and defence; whilst the power of Phil Jagielka made it easy for Everton to break up Uniteds dainty themed attacks. For those who want to suggest Manchester Uniteds problems came from Michael Carrick playing in the United defence; its worth pointing out that on his better days Michael Carrick is Manchester Uniteds bigger centre midfielder. If Carrick had been playing in midfield he would still have been the target for Evertons physicality and Fellaini still would have won out. Tiotes physicality, his muscular presence and his exceptional tackling will mean he can overawe opposition teams and overturn the play in Uniteds favour. United have players quality in space and possession, but if a team takes the game to these midfielders and doesnt allow them the ball; they wont have the strength to dominate the play how they like. They need a man who can bridge the gap between non-possession and possession which, at the moment, they dont have.