BBC SPORT | Football | Teams | Man Utd | Questions for Veron to answer



By Stuart Roach BBC Sport Online

Had Juan Sebastian Veron failed to make it as a footballer, he would have turned his attentions to motor racing.

The Argentine wanted to emulate his hero, Ayrton Senna, and his love for the sport has led him to buy three Ferraris in varying colours.

Juan Veron factfile

1975: Born Buenos Aires, Argentina

1994: Joins Estudiantes de la Plata

1996: Switches to Boca Juniors then moves to Serie A side Sampdoria

1998: Parma sign Veron for �13m

1999: Links up former coach Sven Goran Eriksson at Lazio for �20m

2000: Part of Lazio's double-winning side

2001: Embroiled in passport scandal for which he blames Lazio

2001: Joins Man Utd in �28.1m deal

Instead, Veron chose football, but he knows he needs to move up a gear this season if he is to maintain his reputation as a fast-lane player.

A then-British record �28.1m move to Manchester United from Lazio last summer appeared to have underlined Veron's reputation as one of the world's best players.

But a miserable first season at Old Trafford has left a major question mark hovering over the wisdom of that move.

Veron's debut nightmare

Sir Alex Ferguson is determined to keep faith with the Argentine midfielder, despite constant rumours linking him with a return to Rome.

Ferguson has constantly denied claims that Veron was a massively-expensive flop and will want to see his investment pay dividends this year.

But the Manchester United boss cannot hide from the fact that several of the reasons he listed for signing Veron have not been vindicated.

Ferguson's predictions, made amid the fanfare which heralded Veron's high-profile arrival, included:

Fergie said: "He brings a nice pace to the team. Every time we have bought this type of player, he has done wonders for us."

We say: The only pace Veron brought was pedestrian. The Argentine laboured through the season, though his efforts were constantly hampered by a nagging Achilles tendon injury. His arrival did not "do wonders" but left many wondering why he had been bought.

Fergie said: "What we have done is bring in a really top player, one of the best players in the world. He is world class - a fantastic footballer."

We say: Still little doubt about that. Veron emerged as one of the world's best during France 98 and that reputation remains intact, despite last season's miseries. One of the best passers in the Premiership and a dead ball expert to rival David Beckham.

Fergie said: "Juan will bring a personality to the team which I feel we need at this moment. I feel we need a challenge."

We say: More like personality clashes. Veron's struggles and some high-profile errors were rumoured to have led to dressing room bust-ups, particularly with Roy Keane who was reported to have accused him of costing United the title when Veron's mistake led to United losing to Middlesbrough.

Fergie said: "I never thought I would spend this much on a player. You believe it is unthinkable, but it is nothing to do with the player. It is a matter between the clubs."

We say: Fair comment. There is not much Veron can do about his price tag, though by his own admission last season was "a catastrophe".

So what does the new season hold in store for Veron?

The doubts have never centred on his ability, merely how he slots into a midfield already boasting a wealth of world-class talent.

But arguments over how to accommodate every one of Beckham, Veron, Keane, Giggs, Scholes and Butt are futile.

Ferguson never had any intention of playing them all at once and Veron was always intended to increase the competition for places.

Perm any four or five from those six and United have a midfield for every occasion.

Juan Sebastian Veron leaves the pitch after being susbstituted at Old Trafford
Veron endured a miserable first season at Old Trafford

And Veron will be boosted by the impact Robert Pires had on the Premiership last season.

The French midfielder endured a miserable first season in English football but lifted the Football Writers' player of the year award last year after steering Arsenal towards a sensational double.

Veron's Manchester United team-mate Ruud van Nistelrooy claimed the PFA award, the only trophy to come to Old Trafford last season.

That justified his �18m price tag - and now Veron has some expensive questions to answer.


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