GIVE FORLAN A CHANCE

Last updated : 16 September 2002 By editor
Ron Atkinson
The Guardian

Manchester United are struggling for goals at the moment, with their blank at Leeds meaning they've scored only five in six Premiership matches. They're not getting the best out of Ruud van Nistelrooy and it's time Diego Forlan got a chance to partner him.

United tend to do better with a link striker and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is not cut out for that. He and Van Nistelrooy are too similar to be an ideal partnership and, with Paul Scholes injured, I feel Forlan should be given at least six starts to prove his worth.

You only need to think of Eric Cantona, Teddy Sheringham and Dwight Yorke to realise the value a link striker has given United. I know Forlan hasn't come up to scratch so far but he hasn't had a decent run at it either. Let's at least see if he's up to it.
United haven't got their usual number of crosses in from wide areas in the last third. Van Nistelrooy thrives on those and I think teams have made a point of trying to push United infield. Let's see if Forlan can get them flowing again