Arsenal To Save Silvestre From The Ignominy Of Man City And Trump Sunderland?

August 20, 2008

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Silvestre A Gooner?

Anyone who watched United stumble to a draw against Newcastle on Sunday would have recognised that it was player shortage as much as a bad performance that brought about that disappointing result.

On the face of it then it might seem a surprise that United are prepared to let go of any of their remaining squad without strengthening in turn.

However, whilst the midfield and attack against Newcastle was worryingly threadbare, one area that held virtually its full complement was the back line. In addition to the still-recovering Gary Neville United are able to additionally call on Johnny Evans, the Da Silva twins, John O’Shea and Craig Cathcart as defensive replacements. In dire emergencies Danny Simpson could, depending on the terms of the arrangement, be recalled from his loan and Owen Hargreaves can even be employed as a full-back.

It’s that depth of back up that has persuaded Sir Alex that he can allow long-term United servant Mikael Silvestre to leave.

Silvestre, who joined United from Inter Milan in 1999, with Sir Alex stealing him from under the noses of Liverpool, could earn a testimonial were he to complete another season at Old Trafford. However, Silvestre is very much used as a second or even third choice these days (he didn’t make the bench on Sunday) and the lure of first team football elsewhere may prove to hard to resist for the 31-year-old.

Incredibly, given that he was weighing up staying on for a testimonial at United and all that would signify, Silvestre was rumoured to have virtually tied up a deal to move across the City to our luckless, potless neighbours in the Council House.

Mark Hughes was not the only former Red to have enquired about the services of the veteran French player, with Sunderland manager Roy Keane also rumoured to be interested.

News broke late last night, however, that both City and Sunderland were about to be trumped by a last-minute intervention from Arsene Wenger, who wants to take Silvestre on as cover for Gael Clichy at Arsenal.

Clearly as United fans it would be more palatable for us to see Silvestre head to the Stadium of Light, but at 31 it might prove too flattering and tempting to resist the chance to turn out for one of England’s other major clubs.

Either way, thanks Mickey. You’ve been a bit clown like these past few years but we appreciate the service rendered.

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