Champions League - Parker: Tevez key for Manchester United

Eurosport - Wed, 17 Sep 19:28:00 2008

Forget Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Parker believes Carlos Tevez is the key to Manchester United's defence of their European crown.

2008-2009 Carlos Tevez Manchester United - 0

"It has to be said, United are not in the greatest shape heading into their first Champions League clash of the season.

The new domestic campaign has not started as well as expected and the defeat to Liverpool at Anfield - which prompted Alex Ferguson to lament his side's "Conference defending" - only compounded matters.

But of course, the season is young and United have yet to be unleashed on European competition. What's more, they still have plenty in reserve and despite their slow start domestically, the holders will once again be a force to be reckoned with in Europe.

Ironically, I think it was Dimitar Berbatov's long, drawn-out arrival at Old Trafford that did most to disrupt United's pre-season preparations. Yet their chances of European success could depend on how well the Bulgarian adapts to life at United.

Another eight-goal haul from Cristiano Ronaldo is unlikely, so goals will have to come from another source. Clearly, the Bulgarian target man has been brought in to fill that role.

I was a big fan of the way he played at Tottenham and I believe he can be a huge success at United, but only if his team-mates play to his strengths. And that means getting the ball out wide and giving him the service he craves.

Traditionally, one of United's strengths has been their natural width, but at the moment they are lacking somewhat in that department.

As a result so far in the Premier League this season they have been rather easy to contain. But with Ronaldo on his way back, as long as the Portuguese plays wider than he did before his stint on the sidelines, Berbatov can be sure of some good service.

But at the same time, Ronaldo's return poses a real problem for Alex Ferguson - albeit the kind of problem that most managers would give their right arm for. With Ronaldo, Berbatov, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez all vying for a place in the same line-up, United boast an embarrassment of riches.

It's no secret that to win the Champions League, a squad needs strength in depth - and that is exactly what Berbatov's arrival has given United.

But the temptation will be there to squeeze all four jewels into the crown. And that could well cramp their style and negate their individual effectiveness. If that kind of formation is considered too attacking for the Premier League, then it is certainly unsuitable for the Champions League.

How Ferguson deals with his team selection will have a huge bearing on how United's European campaign pans out this season. It's a real conundrum, and one that I don't envy him having to deal with.

But I would make sure Tevez is included, every time. The Argentinian is a big game player and he, along with Anderson in midfield, have the ability to raise the tempo of a game - something that is needed in European football.

Too often United have tried - and failed - to alter their style and match European opposition at their own game by playing a slower-paced, more continental game.

But with the South American duo in the side, United look more dynamic and likely to take the game to the opposition. And that could be crucial to any success United can enjoy in European this season."

Paul Parker was talking to Mike Hytner / Eurosport

Comment 15 - 34 of 54

Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

  1. Parker should go get another job. Ronaldo has nothing­ more to prove.

    From PurpleBabe987, on Wed 17 Sep 5:19PM

  2. rees87 stole any cars lately? and who the hell are­ cardiff city? are they a conferance side? thats a joke­ they could never get that high i the league lol

    From Mark, on Wed 17 Sep 4:50PM

  3. Cardiff city, that's the team i support mate, just­ to put you straight,AGAIN! But don't worry,­ you've put me at ease by confirming your­ employment. I thought my taxes were being squandered on­ your internet provider.
    P.S. it's spelt MAINWARING!

    From STEVEN, on Wed 17 Sep 4:35PM

  4. oh these parker su cks, tevez might have played better­ but after parker's prediction u can bet my life­ that tevez will be a flop in this match...
    neways Manu­ will lose to Villareal.

    From LoonyBabeChick, on Wed 17 Sep 4:28PM

  5. The old lad is so scared of his own skin not to talk of­ Chelsea... I am a Chelsea fan but when it comes to­ football issues, a RED is RED if well deserved.­ Sunday's RED card was completely unnecessary and I­ hope the ref pays for it.
    As for Fergie, I think he­ should concentrate on his little kids and stop getting­ himself distracted stupidly... Trust me he will harp­ about something again when they loose their next­ match.... and there is a good chance of that­ happening!!!!
    Fergie should shut up and stop making a­ mockery of himself to football community... If he's­ got a problem with FA rules and policies, he should­ walk the @#$% out of the door and find another career­ elsewhere. We ain't ready to listen to this baby­ talk anymore...

    From kendoughty, on Wed 17 Sep 4:25PM

  6. "they dont like it up them mr mannerin"­ rees87 people do work nights you know. blatant mufc­ @#$%.

    From Mark, on Wed 17 Sep 4:23PM

  7. i sim 2 agree wit u but we hv sin dat utd has bin­ missin c ronaldo alredi.3 games n hw many points.i­ blive feggy can play all 4 of them if he wnts 2.ronni­ on d wings,ronney as an offensive midfielder n tevez $­ barbatov up that will b hard to mak 4 the oppo­ team.with ronney $ tevez swicthing places @ wil.any­ this is a nice article u hv here.

    From Christopher, on Wed 17 Sep 4:09PM

  8. I only read these threads occasionally and notice the­ same sad people commenting on teams they don't­ support. Instead of concentrating on supporting thier­ own team they just slag off the clubs that are superior­ to the clubs that they support. I have to say that the­ "king of the saddos" has to be markharry4. He­ obviously does not work for a living as he seems to­ spend every day slagging Manchester united off. Well­ done mate, you make the rest of us realise that our­ lives aren't too bad after all. x

    From STEVEN, on Wed 17 Sep 4:06PM
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    tevez fits in nicely with the rest of the mufc scum

    From Mark, on Wed 17 Sep 3:50PM

  10. neither tevez nor rooney can match scholes

    From tony0ldbury, on Wed 17 Sep 3:49PM

  11. I like swipe

    From Eoghan, on Wed 17 Sep 3:35PM

  12. paul parker rules, old school united!! when players­ played cause they loved the club and not for 100­ k's a week

    From Gaz, on Wed 17 Sep 3:18PM

  13. I'd love to see Manucho given a chance... looks­ like a fantastic striker although Fergie's not­ gonna risk putting him out there on our first­ competitive CL match... perhaps when we've got­ those 10 points he wants we'll get a good look at­ him? Can't wait!! Utd to win 3-1 tonight with a­ Tevez double and a Rooney header ;)

    From Gaz, on Wed 17 Sep 3:03PM

  14. Parker is useless...
    c. ronaldo is the key for Man utd­ to win...

    From AnAk MeLaYu ., on Wed 17 Sep 3:01PM

  15. berba's the man

    From elamikotioo, on Wed 17 Sep 2:58PM

  16. Great article Mr Parker.. well said indeed.

    From Gaz, on Wed 17 Sep 2:54PM

  17. of course he's key, he is the number 1 striker for­ us and we have to bounce back after losing to the­ scouse muppets.

    From Harry, on Wed 17 Sep 2:50PM

  18. Go Man Utd, Go!

    From Nii Mantse, on Wed 17 Sep 2:34PM

  19. Tevez fights harder than all.
    Tevez is most generous of­ all
    Tevez is the man to make the difference
    And give­ Man U the confidence tonight
    And then lift the spirit­ to crush Stamford Bridge come sunday
    Viva Tevez, Viva­ Man U

    From Segun, on Wed 17 Sep 2:28PM

  20. Tevez fights harder than all.
    Tevez is most generous of­ all
    Tevez is the man to make the difference
    And give­ Man U the confidence tonight
    And then lift the spirit­ to crush Stamford Bridge come sunday
    Viva Tevez, Viva­ Man U

    From Segun, on Wed 17 Sep 2:26PM
Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account