<a href="/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/30novjohn.jpg" title="30novjohn.jpg"><div><figure class="external-image"><img src="/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/30novjohn.jpg" alt="30novjohn.jpg" align="right"></figure></div></a>Fans, pundits and fellow players considered Kieran Richardson lazy, inadequate and many other unfortunate synonyms when he was at Manchester United.&nbsp; He made only 41 league appearances in five seasons at the club, scoring just two goals.&nbsp; Richardson’s £5.5 signing seemed at the time a misguided move by Roy Keane in the summer of 2007.&nbsp; Thus far, that’s been hardly the case.
At Sunderland, Richardson has blossomed.&nbsp; Despite injuries, he’s developed into a dynamic attacker, a free kick artist and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWZOmyaIBlU">a match winner</a>.&nbsp; Originally viewed as unworthy of his fee, Richardson would probably be worth at least double it now, if manager Ricky Sbragia saw him as dispensable.&nbsp; We never saw Richardson’s full potential until he left Manchester United, which raises a question.&nbsp; How valuable are their other second-tier players?
John O’Shea’s popular image is as a bit of a bumbler and a doofus.&nbsp; He’s never cemented a place as a first-team regular, despite making 313 appearances.&nbsp;&nbsp; He’s clearly not in the same class as Cristiano Ronaldo, though he’ll show <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKCwyTsScAE">the occasional burst of flair</a>.
However, the 27-year-old is very versatile.&nbsp; He can fill in at fullback, centre-half and in central midfield, without United noticeably declining.&nbsp; He literally has played every position on the pitch for United.&nbsp; How much would a player like him be worth for Everton or Tottenham?&nbsp; How good would he be with a consistent place in the Starting XI?
Who, when discussing a Manchester United performance, ever touches on Wes Brown’s contribution?&nbsp; Listing the best players at various positions in the Premier League, Brown’s name seldom arises.&nbsp; Has he been overlooked?
United were better with Brown at right back last season than they were with Gary Neville the year before.&nbsp; Fabio Capello brought Brown into the England squad ahead of the far more hyped Micah Richards, with solid results.&nbsp; If Wes Brown were playing for a mid-table club such as Portsmouth, would he receive more praise?
Look at Darren Fletcher as well.&nbsp; He’s often maligned compared to his more talented companions.&nbsp; Even <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2005/nov/01/newsstory.television">his own teammates have ridiculed him</a>.&nbsp; At 24-years-old he’s never nailed down a place in the United midfield.
Despite this, however, Fletcher has been important for Manchester United.&nbsp; When big signings Hargreaves and Carrick have been injured, Fletcher has filled in for big matches and played well.&nbsp; United displayed no midfield faults when he played against Chelsea.&nbsp; He already has 40 caps for Scotland.&nbsp; He probably steps straight into 14 or 15 Premier League Starting XIs.&nbsp; How good would he be with a regular run of games?
Manchester United have elite-level talents, such as Ronaldo, Rooney and Ferdinand, but so do Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.&nbsp; What sets Manchester United apart is their second tier.&nbsp; While the other big three falter noticeably without a star or two, United absorb injuries, calling on experienced players, such as O’Shea, Brown and Fletcher to fill a hole without incident.
Rather than being oafs or wastrels, these second-tier players are a major reason, Manchester United has won the Premier League the past two seasons.

Are Manchester United's Second-Tier Players the Key to Their Success?

Are Manchester United's Second-Tier Players the Key to Their Success? - World Soccer Talk

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Are Manchester United's Second-Tier Players the Key to Their Success?