Has anyone else noticed how United’s central midfielders
have all started to play a bit like Paul Scholes?
Darron Gibson, for one, is clearly taking notes from the little
master on the training ground: playing with his head up, dropping
to receive the ball on the half-turn, the measured passes, the
sweetly timed shots… they’re all there.
It should be said, though, that Gibson has ample natural gifts
of his own and, as much as anyone, he profited from a run in
the Carling Cup last season, making five starts (including the
final) and securing a piece of silverware in his debut term in
the first team.
Add goals against Southampton and Derby in the FA Cup, and it’s
no wonder he was given league cameos against Stoke and Fulham as he
raced up the midfield learning curve.
Gibbo also made two Champions League appearances and his
thumping winner on the final day at Hull was the highlight of his
season.
The young Irishman has been around the first-team squad for a
while but this was his breakthrough season. Expect him to feature
on Sir Alex's teamsheet increasingly over the next couple of
years...