Jordi backs Man Utd push for Villarreal's Riquelme - March 19, 2006
Former Manchester United attacker Jordi Cruyff is backing his old club's bid for Villarreal star Juan Roman Riquelme.
"From the very first minute that Villarreal got Riquelme from Barcelona they indulged him on the pitch," Jordi told the Manchester Evening News.
"They respected his ability and accepted that he made a difference when he was on the ball but he wasn't a fetcher and carrier.
"They gave him extra workers around him to compensate for the fact he wasn't aggressive or a defensive player. He's not like a Keane or a Paul Scholes who'll get stuck in as well.
"If United play a 4-4-2 then they can afford to give him some freedom. He doesn't do the dirty work.
"But if they play, which they have done, a 4-3-3 more European way then you can't fit him in and play him the way he should be played. You have to decide what you want. Sir Alex will know how to get the best out of him and if he decides Riquelme is the kind of player United need then they have to indulge him."
"From the very first minute that Villarreal got Riquelme from Barcelona they indulged him on the pitch," Jordi told the Manchester Evening News.
"They respected his ability and accepted that he made a difference when he was on the ball but he wasn't a fetcher and carrier.
"They gave him extra workers around him to compensate for the fact he wasn't aggressive or a defensive player. He's not like a Keane or a Paul Scholes who'll get stuck in as well.
"If United play a 4-4-2 then they can afford to give him some freedom. He doesn't do the dirty work.
"But if they play, which they have done, a 4-3-3 more European way then you can't fit him in and play him the way he should be played. You have to decide what you want. Sir Alex will know how to get the best out of him and if he decides Riquelme is the kind of player United need then they have to indulge him."
