Transfer flops: Jean-Alain Boumsong

After a transfer that raised many eyebrows to start off with, it was soon evident that the public were right all along.

In his native France Jean-Alain Boumsong built up quite a reputation, alongside Philippe Mexes at the heart of the Auxerre defence.

However at four years at the club, and with his contract coming to an end Rangers lured Boumsong to Ibrox in the summer of 2004.

Despite his upcoming frailties in England though, he adapted quickly in Scotland and enhanced his reputation.

So much so that Newcastle manager Graeme Souness paid £8m in January 2005, ending his Scottish adventure after just half a season.

However the defensive mistakes began to creep in and it was clear he didn't possess the movement or nous to keep out Premier League strike forces.

After 18 months his unhappy spell came to end, as he moved to Juventus for barely a third of the fee Newcastle paid Rangers.

After another year and half he was on the move again, this time back to France with giants Lyon.
Citing the fact he felt he had more chances of making the French Euro 2008 squad with this transfer.

Boumsong is now playing his trade in Greece, after moving to Panathinaikos during last summers transfer window.

Fergie's bizarre week so far

Following the weekends crazy 3-3 draw at Everton, with two goals conceeded in injury time, Manchester United headed into the Champions League as over whelming favourites for their game at home to Rangers.

However a second debatable team selection in a week left the Red Devils with their second draw in four days.

The decision to keep Wayne Rooney out of the cauldron of hate at Goodison Park seemed the correct one at 3-1 up, but with the Toffees fighting back the debate was always going to be raised.

So we headed into the first round of the Champions League proper, with United Fans quite rightfully optimistic about their sides chances against a Rangers side that in all honesty doesn't quite match up.

While we can praise the defensive performance of the Scottish side, you have to point to Sir Alex's team selection as the main reason as to why the English side didn't come out huge victors.

A number of first teamers were left out, as confidence seemed to be brimming within the United squad.

Either confidence or arrogance.

As the game grew on it was clear United didn't have the creativity to open up Rangers, and the finger will no doubt to the manager and the team he selected.

Nani, who had one of his better displays on Saturday, and Dimitar Berbatov were both left out as they seem to show signs of hitting form.

While there are still five games left in the group stage and they remain favourites to top the group, they can't allow future games to hugely dictate squad selection like last night.

Many sides have tried it in the past and it simply doesn't work, just looked at Liverpool under Rafael Benitez.

Although the game against the Anfield side on Sunday in huge, and now people are rested, surely if they had played against Rangers and won the confidence gained would be the greatest motivator.

If United don't win on Sunday the accusatory finger will once again linger over Old Trafford.