Confirmation has come through today about the much mooted signing of Crewe Alexandra starlet Nick Powell. Another goal scoring midfielder, Sir Alex seems to be making several moves in an attempt to safeguard the future of the creative midfield areas.
Powell looks like a decent prospect and was apparently coveted by several top clubs in England. Most would agree, however, that this kid is one for the future. I would be extremely surprised if the 18 year old makes the leap from League One to the Premier League without a period in the reserves or out on loan. He will obviously have that ambition but it’s not going to happen for him straight away. In reality he may never make the grade at Old Trafford.
I’m all for buying potential stars of the future but surely there is a pressing need at Old Trafford for players who can come in and improve this current team – the marquee signing that United fans have been collectively holding their breath for, for at least a few years now.
I’m not arguing that every player has to cost £30m plus to be any good. Opinion is somewhat divided about Shinji Kagawa, but many believe that he is going to be a really top class addition for about £15m.
But the last few summers at United seem to have been punctuated by disappointment. All the speculation suggests that a big player is on his way, but it hasn’t materialised. Will this year be another where the transfer budget is spread out among several players with potential, rather than one who could really bring United closer to the top of the European table once more? So far £20m has been spent without sating the fans’ desire for a top class addition in the mould of Modric, Neymar, Bale or Sneijder. When United officials stated that the £80m from the sale of Ronaldo would all be re-invested into the club most assumed that it would be spent on big signings rather than frittered away a few million at a time.
Many of you will agree with this policy of buying potential at a good price but I would prefer one big player to come in every year rather than 4 decent ones who may or may not improve the first eleven. Last year United got Phil Jones, Ashley Young and David De Gea. Did they improve the team or just the squad? United have a great squad already. In my opinion it’s quality rather than quantity that they now need.
I’m sure that this article will draw the usual responses about how money doesn’t necessarily buy success, with reference to players like Berbatov and Veron. It’s a valid point to an extent but for every Veron, there is a Ferdinand. For every Berbatov there is a Rooney. You have to make big investments to get big rewards. You don’t always get the right man but you have to be in it to win it. United succeeded even after wasting money on Veron and Berbs but where would they be without Rooney and Rio? Nowhere is the answer.
Noone complains about Barcelona’s transfer policy and they buy big every single season. Last year it was Fabregas and Sanchez. The year before Villa etc. It’s about finding a balance between players with potential and celebrated stars. Manchester United currently don’t have this balance and that is why they are a little off the pace in Europe.
So, we wait with baited breath to see if Manchester United will indeed sign a superstar. But if the last few years are anything to go by then the fans may be holding their breath to the point of suffocation.
Aveshan
Jun 13, 2012 at 11:19 am
I’ve been supporting this great club from the time of me being a little boy. I live in South Africa and for the last 2 or 3 seeasons I check the Internet every day in hope of my beloved United signing that marquee signing. I agree 100% with what this article says and that United do so desperately need that big name signing especially in the midfield department. Not to be disrespectfule to Kagawa but do any United supporters really see us going against clubs like Chelsea, Madrid. Bayern, Barca and seeing our midfielders beating them theirs in the middle of the park?
Peter
Jun 14, 2012 at 6:02 am
no @all cuz i dnt c any qualitiez in dat team anymore xpecially in d midfield,am jst sick nd tired of Alex wit al doz hiz preachin.we d fanz ar d 1 sufferin it all.U pay moni 2 watch ur team nd al dae giv u z painz.
Kilogho Nicodemus Mwangui
Jun 15, 2012 at 5:11 am
Aveshan, I agree with you 100%. Am also the same victim, Checking the internate every transfer season to see if there is any big signing. For the last three years ave been disappointed. I can support only two signings in that duration.Valencia and Ashley Young not forgetting Chicharito, Bt who knew them before they came to man united?. Its time Sir Alex Proved his Authority & experience. We Luck Quality especialy in the midifield. Nicodemus Mwangui. Nanyuki /Kenya.
Ian
Jun 13, 2012 at 1:52 pm
We need a playmaker , a ball winner and a stand in for Rooney , Powell is the future , just as Jones and De Gea seem to be , Young is a squad player and Kagawa has potential. However have we solved the issues of last year when we were rubbish in Europe and fell apart under pressure at the end of the season ………..no .
My problem is that we are not TRYING to sign big names , we get linked and then do not want to pay the going price ie agents fees too big , wages too much and then state there is just no value out there …….it is a bit like going to buy a Porche when you can only afford a Mini , you know what the answer is going to be .
However at the start of this transfer window David Gill told us we could compete with other clubs so far he has failed to keep this promise .
Imraan
Jun 13, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Manchester United need a new ROY KEANE!!!!!!
PLEASE SIGN Marouane Fellaini FROM EVERTON !!!!!!!!
As a Manu supporter for the past 25 Years i have noticed – That is what we are lacking !!!!!!!
Maxwell
Jun 13, 2012 at 2:37 pm
I am very happy for man utd, we need Luka modric, Wesley Sneijder, Robert Lewandoski, Dembele and Asamoah….. tank you utd
Howard James
Jun 13, 2012 at 3:07 pm
I am satisfied with the signings so far and would prefer United to promote from within giving Cleverly a regular starting place next to Carrick in the centre of midfield. If you look at the most sucessful signings made during Fergies tenure they have all been less well know players who have improved and increased in value while at Utd i.e. Ronaldo, Vidic, Evra the rest of our better players in recent times have come through the youth system. The less sucessful; signings have been when Fergie has paid top money for players over 25 i.e. Veron and Berbatov for example on this basis Utd current transfer policy is following a tried and tested framework and has been proven to be the most effective!!
Ari
Jun 13, 2012 at 11:40 pm
I agree totally with ur point about bringing players through the ranks but as for the most successful signings made during Fergie’s tenure being lesser known players, REALLY? We have King Eric, who started the whole ball rolling. He won it for Leeds n then Fergie cheekily snapped him up for £1.2m. Then we had the likes of Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Van Nistelrooy, Rio Ferdinand and now Wayne Rooney. I’m sure i missed out a few too. We’ve done awesome in bringing players through the ranks but we have bought big players who’ve pushed us onto the next level. If we stop that, we may truly become a feeder club to the likes of Real Madrid n Barca. What also annoys me a lot is that our youth development is decreasing in quality. Maybe it’s due to other clubs improving their facilities but we need to really take a good look at our whole infrastructure and seriously consider a total revamp if the system if we are to remain an European powerhouse.
Fidaa
Jun 13, 2012 at 3:59 pm
I totally agree with your comments. We cant go on relying on giggs, scholles and carrick to beat top teams. We need a two top signings in the middle of the park this summer if we really want to compete.
geoffrey
Jun 13, 2012 at 4:15 pm
I am happy for man utd, so far signings but we steel need Luka Modric and Bains
Aj
Jun 13, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Downing 20m 0 goals 0 assists
Henderson 20m didnt do much
Carroll 35m 5 goals??
Torres 50m ? Goals
Veron 29m
If we go out and spent 20m+ on a player and they turn into one of these players it will be a bad move
Sneijder IMO is to old and hasnt done well for Inter or Holland since we were interested
I would like Modric to come but dont know where he would play
Baines, Asamoah and Maybe Lewandowski i think will give us the 20th title
Igeleke thomas
Jun 13, 2012 at 5:59 pm
I am so happy for manutd for the signings so far, but we the fans need another ronaldo, and roy keane,it will be good if manutd can sign good players like sneidger,xavi,modrics,iniester,etc
Timmy boy
Jun 13, 2012 at 6:18 pm
Well done utd, we need a middle who can play long pass, strong and hold ball. And more center defender. We need luka modric, wesley sneider and fellaini. Let us try more on modric and sneider
AFEDRA CHARLES
Jun 13, 2012 at 7:35 pm
Am a great fan of the club from Uganda but i’m so disappointed with the regime of these Americans
because they do not care about the performance of the club but instead desperate for gate collections. Why so is because they have never complained of any bad results. please! if they can not let them sign out.
George miller
Jun 13, 2012 at 8:04 pm
I think man utd should sign modric and James rodriguez because modric is a playmaker and Rodriguez Is meant to be the new c ronaldo
Gift gian
Jun 13, 2012 at 8:11 pm
A manutd fan frm kenya.I agree wit u that manutd really needs 1 great player the likes of ronaldo…all the same i think sneidjer is abit old for England..i would prefer modric to sneidjer bt kagawa would be the perfect 4 man u.thank u
Sylvester
Jun 13, 2012 at 8:21 pm
I am man u fan. I think we need to sign luka modric,sneijder and lewandoski this sunmer to win trophies
samuel
Jun 13, 2012 at 9:27 pm
im a manutd fan from nigeria i tink we nid to look at it from d point of where dis players u all are mentionin will play,in what positions if sign all of dem lyk sneidger,modric,lawandowski nd so on all dis players are first team players nd dey play on a regular basis so wen signin u av to consider dem now our defence is becomin weak we nid another left back nd baines is good for dat at d centre kagawa nd modric is kk den forward lawandowski is good after disposin berbatov.dat makes a better team nd squad dont let us be lyk man shitty who spends lyk FOOLS now d player av problem wit first team appearance so plz ma able dignified manutd fans plz lets take it easy on ferguson.
a.nal
Jun 13, 2012 at 9:43 pm
stupid. man utd dont need to buy world class players. rooney and ferdinand were bought not because they were expensive but because they were young and good. modric is getting old sneijder has been rubbish. the 2 signings id make would be rodwell and barklay from everton. strong young and hungery
Alpachino
Jun 13, 2012 at 9:52 pm
Pls get us sigurdsson and alou diarra maybe lewandowski case closed.
ismail
Jun 13, 2012 at 9:59 pm
man u i support for life signe liu darra of franca he have abiliable to hold ball in midfield as bluck four and pace midfielder play like kean
Aussiehopper
Jun 13, 2012 at 10:10 pm
I come from Hyde Greater Manchester over seventy years ago,and always followed Man United, it would appear that this great club one of the greatest in sporting history is reduced to buying players with money we have scraped together from buying potential players cheap then selling to make a profit, this is a policy you could term rag and bone man policy, who is to blame? personaly i can only hold the Glazers responsible, when you buy whatever with borrowed money but do not have the finaces to support the repayments, what better way than to use the clubs riches to pay the debts, to the detriment of the of the most important people in this situation,
the Manchester United supporters……. needless to say the Worlds financial situation has not helped things, but did the Glazers see this as an opportunity to make money in a bear world financial situation.
maxi de la vega Emeka
Jun 14, 2012 at 6:02 am
i’m maxi, a die-hard united fan from Nigeria. Marquee signing? no, we need no big name signing, all we jez need lewandoski, javi martinez, isco/munain, dede and adam johnson transfer closed! Viva united.
BEATUS
Jun 14, 2012 at 6:05 am
modric,felain,. no more for man u
biyi
Jun 14, 2012 at 6:08 am
Utd have bought an attacking midfielder in shinji kagawa, I say we need a midfield enforcer like cabaye don’t you think?
Ozone tee
Jun 14, 2012 at 6:13 am
Am a man u fans for a lng years nw man u need anoda mid fielder like modric and asamoah is good and we need lewandowski by all mis even we supost 2 be substitud welbeck and harnadez 2 of them must be on bench if this is man u befor so try and buy beta player for man u 2 win trophy nt premiershp alone
aboy
Jun 14, 2012 at 6:23 am
manutd need to compete wit manc nd chel if they want to reclaim d title,david gill promise dat so he should b a man of his words we need big names like modric alaba neymar aloudiara hummels nd cabaye we should sell nani berbatov carrick nd park.
vincent
Jun 14, 2012 at 8:30 am
We need Javi martinez (32milj), Baines(13milj), Lewandawski(16milj) and Nathaniel Clyne(3milj)
Sell Berbatov and Park and Anderson(use in the deal for martinez)
jafer
Jun 14, 2012 at 8:31 am
really, it is a comment of us as we know sir Alex is a great coach so he knows more than about the club and the football itself pleas sir Alex made the club as before we are not blaming u, u are a great ever that i want to see u in my life if i’m lucky one day.on the way of linking players like modric,bains lawndwosky and the like are great that add a value for our club
Alex
Jun 14, 2012 at 9:53 am
I agree with the article a mil times. What will quantity do for man united? Quality is all that is required at the moment or else the team will flop once too many times again as it did giving away a 4-2 lead against a determined everton team to loose the title to Man city. It doesnt click in my mind having a whole 11+ mid fielders with only two functional from the list, forcing rooney to forget his role as a striker and falling back to CM position. Glad that Shinji will now occupy that position but sure, why the load on salaries for players who stay out a whole season on injuries and when fit cant deliver?
Kabislaw
Jun 14, 2012 at 10:02 am
Hy, am a manutd fan frm nigeria, i strongly beliv in diz article but we dnt need marqee signing such as modric 27, sneidjer 29, manutd hav had a series of prblm in d defensiv midfield afta d departure of lagend roy keane..we signed injury prone owen hargreaves who helpd us won double (epl nd champ league) ever snce den fletcher hav bin convertd bt coldnt liv up 2 expectatn…now d prblm is a holdin mildfielder..utd shld go 4 players lyk strootman, martinez, m’villa, cabaye, gustavo etc..dey wil make a great impact nd d club wil go a long way achievin greater success…worn out players lyk berba,owen,anderson,park, shld be release nd reinforcement shld be made wit a signin of highly rated polish man lawandasky…bet me united wil be a team 2 beat next season….kagawa wil exceed his expectatn wit his pace,skills, and eye on d goal ability
Vic
Jun 14, 2012 at 10:43 am
Although I agree with you in general, I have to say that Rooney is an example of a player bought for potential rather than being an established world class player, so you kind of shoot yourself in the foot by mentioning him!
I am incredibly excited about Kagawa and would take him over Sneijder any day. It would be great to sign Modric to bulk up the midfield, but overall I’m happy with Fergie’s spending and the overall spending policy. I would like one big name signing every 2-4 years, but I’m happy with spending money on young potential most of the time. It builds the squad, and there will be future world class stars in there somewhere (unless we get horrendously unlucky!)
Odey moses
Jun 14, 2012 at 1:02 pm
Sir Alex is killing united to be frank. He refuse 2 buy world class midfielder wich united most, i am a die heart united fans,let him go 4 modric,cuz is a good player that wll soft united problem in the middle.