Darron Gibson

**EalingGreen** · 21/05/2009, 3:33 PM

Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie

The word on WACCOE a while back was Ferguson had offered a very long loan of Gibson (and Cathcart who's just been called up by NI) along with a substantial wad of cash to Leeds United for Fabian Delph.

I can see why that would appeal to Ferguson, who's been linked before with Delph.
However, as John83 points out, I couldn't see it appealing to Gibson. As it happens, Fergie tried to persuade Gibson to go to Peterborough U, where his son Darren is manager, at the start of this season, but Gibson said "no".
Iirc, "personal terms" were said to be a problem, although I suspect that Fergie Sr. would have found a way of smoothing that out to help his son etc, so it's more likely DG didn't want 3rd flight football. Of course, Posh have since been promoted...

As for Cathcart, he ended going on a season-loan to Plymouth Argyle where, despite the club struggling to stay in the Championship, he went straight into the team and stayed there, apparently playing very well (Fans' Young player of the Year).

Unfortunately, because his career path has shadowed Jonny Evans (e.g. both spent time at MU's feeder club in Belgium, then went to a Championship club on loan), peoples' expectations of Cathcart are very high, perhaps unrealistically so, for JE is such a hard act to follow.

That said, CC was Captain of MU's Youth team, and when FIFA picked a European Youth Select XI to play their African Counterparts in Barcelona a couple of years back, Cathcart was the only British Isles-born player to be selected. Also, he's the NI U-21 Captain, where he's the backbone of the defence.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Cathcart

Coincidentally, he was MU's Young Player of the Year (Jimmy Murphy Trophy) the season after Darron Gibson, with Welbeck being his successor, followed by Macheda this season.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manches...rs_of_the_Year

**Metrostars** · 22/05/2009, 12:59 AM

Originally Posted by Jicked

The Guardian reporting today that Darron's contract is up this summer, and so if he gets a game against Wigan it may be his last game for Man Utd. The Guardian have though included him in their list of 10 out of contract players to keep an eye on this summer, along with the likes of Tevez and Owen.

I don't think that's accurate. I'm pretty sure he has another year left on his contract.

Also from the Guardian:

...he is determined to earn an extension to his contract that expires in the summer after this.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...land-world-cup

**rambler14** · 24/05/2009, 3:26 PM

What a goal!

**Colbert Report** · 24/05/2009, 3:27 PM

The goal that could keep Newcastle up! He should go on loan to them next season.

**Buller** · 24/05/2009, 3:54 PM

The lad has some shot on him... I've seen him score at least 3 crackers now, but that was his best! What a goal... (C'mon Hull!)

**Colbert Report** · 24/05/2009, 3:59 PM

Just saw the goal on the halftime highlight package. Unreal. We could have a real player here.

**elroy** · 24/05/2009, 5:22 PM

Originally Posted by Colbert Report

Just saw the goal on the halftime highlight package. Unreal. We could have a real player here.

How did he play in general? He appears to be making more of a name for himself with every first team appearance he makes.

**eirebhoy** · 24/05/2009, 5:28 PM

I watched most of the game and he still needs to become more of a playmaker. He has the ability and the brain but he doesn't show for the ball enough. I think Rafael was critisised for a square pass across to a Hull player but it was an area which Gibson should have been. When a teammate has the ball he has to make himself available at all times. That's his job.

**rambler14** · 24/05/2009, 6:35 PM

Originally Posted by elroy

How did he play in general? He appears to be making more of a name for himself with every first team appearance he makes.

Man of the Match in my opinion.

**dr_peepee** · 24/05/2009, 7:18 PM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

He has the ability and the brain but he doesn't show for the ball enough..... When a teammate has the ball he has to make himself available at all times. That's his job.

Dude. I haven't seen todays game yet but you hit the nail on the head there. That's been my opinion of him. He was definately hiding at stages in Croker against Cyprus.

**Stuttgart88** · 24/05/2009, 7:56 PM

I was flicking between the two games. I don't fully agree with eb: my opinion of Gibson stays the same - very competent, receives the ball well but uses it too conservatively. He keeps it moving but rarely "adds value". Useful player but could be better if he had a bit of adventure in him.

**strangeirish** · 24/05/2009, 9:35 PM

Gibsons goal.

Here

**Metrostars** · 25/05/2009, 2:41 AM

Nice goal but he didn't put in a great effort today. It was almost like he scored and then he thought his job was done. He completely switches off for almost the entire game afterward skiing two shots, being sloppy with his passes, languishing on the ball to the point he gets it taken off him repeatedly. He played much better overall in the FA Cup Semi.

**Reality Bites** · 25/05/2009, 8:02 AM

Originally Posted by Metrostars

Nice goal but he didn't put in a great effort today. It was almost like he scored and then he thought his job was done. He completely switches off for almost the entire game afterward skiing two shots, being sloppy with his passes, languishing on the ball to the point he gets it taken off him repeatedly. He played much better overall in the FA Cup Semi.

Man of the match on the BBC website!

**elroy** · 25/05/2009, 9:23 AM

He has a style similar to JOSH in a sense. Its very relaxed and unaggressive which can come across as lazy but isnt the case. Im sure as his confidence develops that he will show for the ball more and improve that aspect. He has progressed alot in the last year and if can do again next year he will be a great prospect for us in the future. From a united point of view, with Scholes and Giggs probably in their last 18 months at OT, he has a great opportunity to establish himself as a regular in the first team squad.

**dr_peepee** · 25/05/2009, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by elroy

From a united point of view, with Scholes and Giggs probably in their last 18 months at OT, he has a great opportunity to establish himself as a regular in the first team squad.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Scholed finnishes up after the champions league final.

**Razors left peg** · 25/05/2009, 3:00 PM

Ive said before that this time last year nobody would have predicted the progress that Steven Ireland has made, if Gibson can progress half as well he will be a proper player.He does things that impress me in every game Ive seen him play, just not enough of the time at the moment

**rambler14** · 25/05/2009, 8:46 PM

Originally Posted by Metrostars

Nice goal but he didn't put in a great effort today. It was almost like he scored and then he thought his job was done. He completely switches off for almost the entire game afterward skiing two shots, being sloppy with his passes, languishing on the ball to the point he gets it taken off him repeatedly. He played much better overall in the FA Cup Semi.

Couldn't disagree with you more, I thought he was fantastic.

**Stuttgart88** · 26/05/2009, 7:16 AM

Originally Posted by elroy

He has a style similar to JOSH in a sense. Its very relaxed and unaggressive which can come across as lazy but isnt the case. Im sure as his confidence develops that he will show for the ball more and improve that aspect. He has progressed alot in the last year and if can do again next year he will be a great prospect for us in the future.

Agree totally.

**dr_peepee** · 26/05/2009, 9:31 AM

I think the fact he didn't pull up trees on loan at Wolves has made people reign in expectations though. I'm just worried it could be another Darren Potter...