Perhaps when we look at Manchester United in 5 years time, the summer of 2013 we be regarded as a pivotal moment in the history of the club.
With Sir Alex retiring the jury is still out regarding the ability of the new man to successfully carry the baton into the new era. And the summer was replete with stories linking Manchester United to some of the best players in the world. Cesc Fabregas adorned the back pages for much for June and July, while even the ‘broadsheets’ were speculating that that Manchester United were keen on sabotaging Real Madrid’s move for Gareth Bale.
Money clearly wasn’t an issue in this deal but the player wanted to go to Spain. The other huge link that persisted throughout the summer was Cristinao Ronaldo to Manchester United. Whether the speculation was generated from within to simply strengthen the player’s bargaining power over a new deal we shall never know.
But Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has added substance to the speculation by speaking to the press about the potential deal. Rio is quoted as saying:
‘He was one of the most dialled people on my phone at the time. As footballers you keep your cards close to your chest,’
‘If he was going to leave Real Madrid, I think Manchester United would have been the place he would have come to. That’s my view – but no one will ever know.
‘I think the opportunity has gone now.
‘If we could have done it, I think it would have been last summer. He’s signed a new deal at Real now.’
The bad news is that he didn’t come and Manchester United are struggling. The good news is that, despite many believing that The Glazers have exhausted Manchester United’s financial reserves with interest payments, there is clearly a huge amount of money in the transfer kitty.
Let’s just hope that Daivd Moyes spends the rest more wisely than the £27.5m that he forked out for the, so far, awful Marouane Fellaini.
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