United star embodies the team and acts as a symbol for its mentality

Football FanCast columnist Alex Rowland feels that the summer departures have simply galvanised the football club, not to mention improved team spirit.

 

Two big players left Old Trafford this summer and we all know about their goal scoring records and inside leg measurements etc. but what many pundits, journalists and fans in the Middle East who were absorbed by United's previous number 7 didn't know, is that there is still a team there capable of performing at the highest level. 

With United, after Saturday's efficient 2-0 win at Stoke City, sitting, if not all that pretty, at the peak of the Premier League, maybe it is time to start realising that trophies can be won. 

One of the possible benefits of losing two high profile and want-away players is an improved team spirit. We now have Rooney as the team's heartbeat, where a Portuguese once stood; a big game player with an unrivalled work-rate and selflessness. He embodies the team and acts as a symbol for United's mentality.  

Players such as Vidic, Scholes, Giggs and Park won't leave a drop of sweat in their bodies when rampaging around the pitch, and Fletcher and O'Shea continue to amaze. It took them both long enough to earn appreciation from the terraces but now that the Scotland captain is the first midfielder on the team sheet and the Irish defender is filling in aptly for the walking wounded at right back the fans are starting to admire their resilient qualities. 

Add to that bits of good football from Berbatov, Nani and Valencia that could be ironed out into weekly performances, and a fit Rio Ferdinand, and the team could be challenging for every major honour.  

There are problems to address, without doubt. Foster is not yet a reincarnate of Van De Sar's professional solidity. The English goalkeeper has produced some phenomenal saves, especially against Robin Van Persie in the smash and grab 2-1 victory at home to Arsenal, but he is prone to mistakes and inconsistent levels of confidence. To say that he is a good shot stopper, playing for the country's best team in the last three years, points more to his faults than ability.  

Ferdinand's form is also more than a concern, as is his injury record. He hasn't played two games in a row in what seems like years and his back is as fragile as Ledley King's knee. He was exploited for pace by Bellamy in the last minute of that thrilling Manchester derby, but a lack of speed is never something associated with the 30 year old centre back. Hopefully he can overcome this period of niggles and return to his best.  

Despite some dodgy areas however, the team is looking strong. Rotation, mainly in midfield, seems to be paying dividends for Fergie and it will be something he will adopt all season in order to challenge for domestic and European honours. At the start of the season United seemed to some to be weaker, but the mantra remains the same; never right them off.