The Man Utd fans in the Transfer Tavern are excited for the return of the Champions League…
Not only is the competition the pinnacle of European football, but the early stages allow some fringe players an opportunity to shine.
Man Utd’s first opponents, FC Basel, are a team that the Red Devils should be able to beat quite comfortably, and so it was widely expected that a few rotational options could receive some game time.
One such player is Sergio Romero, Man Utd’s backup goalkeeper. He was a great option when called upon last season, and rotation between him and De Gea has been commonplace under Mourinho.
However, the Portuguese manager confirmed yesterday that David De Gea would remain between the sticks for the club, leaving the fans in the Transfer Tavern feeling very surprised.
Indeed, many have touted the decision as a poor one, and here are TWO of the reasons they are citing for their perspective…
Squad Harmony
In the modern game, big squads are essential. With so many competitions to play, injuries are inevitable, and so it’s important that there is always a back-up that can be called upon.
Unfortunately for said back-ups, though, that also typically means a limited number of games per season, and that’s inevitably going to cause friction.
One way around that is to give them occasional minutes whenever possible, and that should have been the case with Romero against Basel.
The Swiss side isn’t going to pose much of a problem, and it would have been the perfect game to get him involved. It may not affect much now, but when he isn’t picked for the next game, and the next game, then it really dampens squad harmony.
Rest
You might think that a goalkeeper doesn’t need a day off. After all, they just stand around for 90 minutes every few days, right?
Well, whilst that is partially true, it’s also important to recognise that it’s a position that often has very intense moments, and given how hard De Gea worked for the club against Stoke City, there’s no doubting that the Spaniard is now feeling the effects.
You also have to consider the mental side of it. He might just need a couple of days to switch off somewhat in anticipation of a heavy run of fixtures.
It’s important to give players a rest whenever possible. De Gea can’t play every game.
