Bridge isn't the first and wont be the last player to retire internationally, on England Scholes and Carragher have all done it in the last 5 or 6 years. And its probably better for the team if he isn't around in all honesty.
Its not that big of a blow, I think Warnock and Baines are both better LB's at this point. I would even prefer Barry over Bridge if Cole got injured in the tournament (because there is a 99% chance he will be healthy and ready to go before it)
only current injury that is worrying to me is Lennon, they have no equal to him at RM (Walcott, SWP, and heaven forbid Becks are not in the same class). Lennon has improved drastically this season, he always had the speed but his crosses are very good now. I think he was in top 3 in assists this year before he got injured, he has been the best winger in the premier league this season by far.
Gerrard and Rio's dip in form this year is a little worrisome, but as they say class is permanent form is not. I think once they both get a little healthier they will be back to where they need to be.
And they luckily have tons of options to play up front with Rooney, they can go the route they have with Heskey doing all the grunt work, if they want someone as good in the air with more touch and scoring ability they can go with Crouch, if they want a goal scorer with pace with Rooney they can go with Defoe.
They will go as far as Rooney takes them, which based on how far he has almost single handedly taken Man U this season could be a long long way
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