Bought by United in the summer 2012 Nick Powell is yet another young lad with bags of potential who is looking to break into United’s first team. Sanctioned by Sir Alex after having a brilliant season and scoring a stunning volley in the League two playoff final, many still questioned whether or not he’d be up for such a huge challenge of joining a club like Manchester United.
With Van Gaal’s appointment and Powell’s trouble with law which saw him banned from diving for 14 months earlier this year, questions have been raised to just where Powell stands now and why hasn’t he featured for United yet. The young Englishmen was all set to go on tour with United for the first time but oddly he was left of the list when the tour line-up was announced and many people were unsure why. News finally surfaced that Powell was indeed injured and would probably miss the tour. It didn’t take long for another rumour to start circulating as apparently Powell was had shaken off the injury and was fit enough to join up with the squad in the US.
This never happened creating more uncertainties, though a small glimpse of news was shed light by Van Gaal in one of his press conferences, that when he and the team returned from the tour he wanted to have a proper look at the two Belgium lads Januzaj and Fellaini and also Powell. So Nick had obviously been at Carrington, whether he was training and getting fit waiting for the team’s return or still injured he was back with United. What is even more odd is United just had their final pre season game of the season at Old Trafford on Tuesday and bizarrely Powell didn’t even make the bench raising more questions.
With season pretty much here and summer transfer window ending in just over two weeks there is surely to be a lot of movement ahead at United, probably more selling and loaning out than buying at this rate. With no European football for United this season the squad will need to be smaller so Van Gaal has plenty of decisions to be made on who is sold and who goes on loan. Powell will be one of these decisions, Van Gaal has said he has wanted a look at the players, he would have seen Powell train but not play in a competitive match yet. Will the Dutchman loan Powell out or give him a run in the team is the question.
The young Englishmen is a dynamic attacking midfielder who possesses many great qualities that Van Gaal could utilize in his midfield and has bags of potential. Powell possess everything a modern player needs in today’s game, tall, fast, great feet and two footed something which many players lack in today’s game and has a cracking shot on him. Powell’s position at Crewe was just off the front but at numerous times has played up front as ability to score goals at that level allowed him to do so. When signed by Ferguson he said he has the ability to one day maybe replace Scholes and eventually end up playing at centre midfield somewhere where he hasn’t played much in his time as a pro.
Powell’s loan spell at Wigan last season was very successful and he ended up top goal scorer at the Latics with 11 goals and got some great European experience playing in the Europa League. Though now the rumours have started to circulate that Powell was ready to go back to the Championship on loan. Loaning Powell out to another Championship club would a bad move as this topic has recently come up with the proposed loan move of Michael Keane as well. He had also been rumoured to be going on loan to another Championship team with many people opposing the idea.
Both have played in the Championship for at least a season and being loaned back to a club in that league wouldn’t really offer any new learning experience for them and just wouldn’t benefit them. Powell needs to play in the Premier League if he ever going to succeed at United and I’m sure there would be plenty of sides up for taking Powell on for the season. Personally I think somewhere like Southampton could be perfect for him, with many top saints players leaving he could play a big part in their season.
But considering United’s squad and lack of midfielders there isn’t really a reason why Powell shouldn’t get a decent go in the side unless new players are signed. If Powell can get some play time he could prove his worth to LVG and I’m sure most United fans wouldn’t mind getting a go in place of someone like Cleverly in some games or giving him a run in the cup games.
Whether Powell can fulfil his potential at United remains to be seen but Van Gaal has a history of bringing through young players something which fits with the United philosophy. Powell needs a chance from Van Gaal but he needs to take it himself if he given one, you just hope that Powell’s silly drink driving isn’t a sign of a poor attitude that could hinder his chance like other young players have at United over the years.
4 replies on “The Curious Case of Nick Powell”
powell IS A GRT PLAYER BUT LVG IS A MAN OF PRINCIPLE, SO WE ARE WAITING 4 HIS DECISION, LOAN OR NOT BST KNOWN TO HIM. HE IS A LEADER 4 NW. but for me, a chance should be given to the young english GUY to proof him self. he is a good player with all the qualities in dis nawa days football
ok
In fact, it wouldn’t have been his first tour with United, Powell was featured in 2012 one.
Not sure why he has not been given a serious look playing next to Herrera. He’s a good athlete and can grow into a solid central midfielder. LvG should really give him a shot.