Jun 17
Is United being pound foolish with the below-26 policy?
Reports filtered in yesterday, starting with the Guardian and the Independent that United have made it a long-term transfer policy of buying players only under 26 years of age.
The reports go on to claim that Berbatov’s purchase was regarded as an exception to this rule. The main thinking behind this is that the resale value of a player would go down significantly if a player over 26 signed on for the club.
Now, on the surface, this could represent sound business sense — going into cashing in on players when their value shoots up; the most recent Ronaldo transfer being a case in point. But it assumes almost every player we buy will always come good.
Scouting talent, as Arsene Wenger would attest, is not exactly a science. It comes with experience, knowledge of an area, and a gifted ability to spot talent. There are a host of intangibles such as ability of an incoming player to adjust to surroundings, weather, food, and physicality, in the case of the Premiership.
The under-26 policy could however assume that we continue our policy of signing exciting talent that’s probably also well known the world around. Nani and Anderson have been examples. However, we can’t really say both have set the world alight like Ronaldo. They may come good in time, but when we buy a lot of young players — hedging bets that they may come good — we must take into account that they might end up being absolute duds too.
This could still make good business sense, but is a blind policy to close one’s mind over an outstanding player over 26 years of age really sensible? Arsenal are considered to be financially prudent because Wenger’s transfer policy mirrors spending well within the club’s means and actually making a profit. But how many trophies do they have to show for it over the past three to four years? It came to a head such that Wenger had to concede defeat and sign Andrei Arshavin.
United’s recent history of signing players has been not in securing some obscure talent out of nowhere like Arsenal, but securing young but expensive talent like Ronaldo, Nani, Anderson, the Serbian duo, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Park, Evra and Carrick to rattle a few off the top of my head. Of course, we also did sign the little known Brazilian twins, Macheda and Petrucci for a song, but at the end of the day, trophies and advancing deep into the Champions’ League would be more financially rewarding every single year, if debts are the main concern for the United board.
Currently this policy rules the likes of Ribery, David Villa, Samuel Eto’o out of the market. And whilst Klaas Jan-Huntelaar is 25 at the moment, he will turn 26 in August, and a strict transfer policy of this kind would completely rule them out.
And another crucial issue that would need to be addressed by the men in power at some point, in light of this policy, is the weight they are willing to put on money earned by selling players over the money earned by winning trophies. Winning more and more titles builds profiles. Building up talent that guarantees a £68m profit is harder to achieve. If more emphasis is put on developing players only to make a profit off them, it would represent a shift in thinking we Manchester United fans need to get used to: are we about to be a selling club? All this is fairly outlandish a thought, and I hope I am proven completely wrong over this.
But I personally think a close minded policy of this kind is foolish, and ridiculous. I really hope we aren’t really following this to the T and will make exceptions where need be. More likely than not, a player at 26 still will have about three years to offer at his peak. (Defenders can go even longer than that) A club must strike the right balance in flexibility of policy and financial prudence, and setting an age like that is far from smart.
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- Commenting Policy
- Privacy Policy
- Benzema ‘Prefers’ Madrid but United better sporting brand than Madrid
- Tevez for £32m? Tevez Quotes Denied + Kaizer Chiefs Friendly
- What purpose does United’s youth system serve?
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
Stephen (479)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (345)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
@Craig Mc: They can keep Heinze, but Huntelaar is a great player and if the price is right and Robben can prove his fitness, then I have always thought he is one of the best wingers in he world.
I hope Fergie is getting a great tan in the South of France, as everyone seems to be stealing a march on the best players.
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@Penguin: Is the Robben scorn because he rejected us and went to Chelsea instead Penguin? Or because you think the player is injury prone? I personally think that WHEN fit, and I admit he is injured a far amount, but fit he is a great player.
I notice you didn’t say Huntelaar, so I presume you like him eh?
With the debt we have, and IF, and its a BIG IF United are going to buy players under 26 with a sell on price prospect, then what signal does that send out about our club, that we talk about Spurs as feeder club, might be ironic if indeed we are thinking the same policy! I dont think that is the case though, but with a debt ridden overhead, one never knows. Might interest you to know, that I do not think SAF will be with us much longer either. No specific grounds for that, but I just think he is coming to the end of a very fruitful reign.
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@Merlinus: I thought you were a kindred footballing spirit with me, but now its clear that you’re completely off your tits!!!
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@Stephen: I was just debating Robben’s fitness with Penguin Bro!
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@Craig Mc: I don’t like Robben because (a) he’s massively injury prone and (b) he is a diving tosser who makes Ronaldo look like a saint. Not someone I’d like to see in the red shirt.
I can see a case for Huntelaar (and I know how popular he is with certain people – didn’t want to start a war on the first day I get involved in the comments this year), though I’m not sure he’d fit.
As I’ve already said, I think the “u-26 transfer policy” is a smokescreen.
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@Craig Mc: He is a top player, depending on his value he in my view would be worth a punt no doubt because of his quality.
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@Craig Mc: I think it signals that we aren’t going to piss money away. I’d much rather buy a good 23 year old than a good 28 year old. For one, the 28 year old won’t get much better and in 2 or 3 years we’ll need another one anyway.
I don’t think the gulf in quality is a choice between buying someone like Welbeck instead of Eto’o. Just getting the best out of our investments. Makes sound business sense. I’d rather we were doing what we’re doing than Chelsea, who need a whole new team within 2 seasons or they’re fucked cause they’re all so old.
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@Craig Mc: Absolutely buddy… At this point in time we need players who may not be the best in terms of quality but may have courage and enough quality to raise the hand and say that Boss Ronaldo has gone so what i am still there. I will do what he use to…
And as you have rightly pointed out NANI has at least shown this courage. I wont be surprise if Gaffer has earmarked NANI as the potential replacement of Ronaldo. I know all the NANI bashers may become alive with this statement but remember 1 thing you all when Ronaldo came was no special. The 3 yrs of continuous football has made him what he is today. One should give NANI time. May thats the reason why Fergi said towards the end of the season that NANI is going no where and he will have more to do next season. After all we all know that he knew since last year that Ronaldo was always going to leave. So NANI might have been earmarked for his JOB…
So, CRAIG NANI the next RONALDO in the making??? What ya say??? (Bit optimistic)
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@Onkar: Presumably there’s a good reason why you capped Nani’s name throughout that post…
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@Penguin: Ya… Trying to be little optimistic and trying to think of the combination that we can exercise without buying anyone.
Job is bit difficult though….
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@Penguin: Every team has players who dive, Rooney dives, Nani dives even Gary Neville went down like he was snipered, it is part of football now, I don’t agree in it but i don’t agree in shirt pulling and waving imaginery cards in the face of referees but it goes on.
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@Penguin: Also Robben played 24 games last season, 28 the season before, 33 in his last season at Chelsea 40 that previous season and 29 times in is first season at the club, 125 games in 4 years.
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@Stephen: I agree… In some other post previously i have already mentioned the same thing that i we can then we should go for these players in the offering. I mean as i said previously if we get say Robben, The Hunter and Sneider/M. Diarra for around 35 mn pounds then it wont be a bad business. Isn’t it???
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@Penguin: O right, I see your point on the diving issue, and on not wanting to get into it on Huntelaar. I wouldn’t mind taking a chance on Huntelaar if as quoted he is going for 15 million. Trouble is Penguin, I have a feeling that if we went in for him, it being Real Madrid, they would be looking to hike the price, to greatly reduce the 80 million coming our way from them.
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@Stephen: Are you saying that’s good or bad Bro?
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@Stephen: Errrrrrr Nani dives? How dare you mate! The most accomplished divers, the gold medal-ists, are surely Stevie Me and Dog-ba.
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@Craig Mc: You’re right about the price, plus I don’t want to buy Real rejects.
The other thing is that any striker we buy will have to be happy to be part of a squad system – don’t know much about Huntelaar’s temperament, but I’d be surprised if he’d be happy to settle for that when most clubs would all but guarantee him a starting XI spot.
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@Stephen: Fair enough – I just don’t have much interest in him. I thought Real was the perfect place for him when he went there – and that’s not something I say as a compliment.
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@Penguin: That you even have to ask that question I am amazed
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@Penguin: And if he turns out to be another Torres goal machine, you’ll be sorry Penguin
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@Onkar: Everything complimentary you say about Nani I AGREE with mate
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@Traverse: I see your point Trav, but the emphasis is surely on the GOOD 23 year old. The GOOD is the important matter. We have bought a lot of duds in the past. Please don’t ask me to name them, I might upset people!
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@NicoQB: If Merlinus has tits, I’m worried
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@Stephen: I won’t object to the hunter coming at a reasonable price. He defo fits the bill. My only thing is, I won’t be too disapointed if no one comes. As far as I am concerned, he money can go towards paying the debt off sooner. The sooner the club is debt free, the better.
@Craig Mc: You could not have expressed it better mate. It’s all in the mind. I wonder what must be going thru Nani and Park’s minds?
Total opposite of what is perceived by others I would imagine.
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@Craig Mc: If he’s gone to Spurs, we’ll just buy him the season after.
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@Craig Mc: Nico has completely lost the plot.. Tits?
Those things that are hanging out on Drogba???.. no freakin way!! 
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@Penguin: For double the feckin price no doubt
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@Merlinus:
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@Karl: I agre mate, one hand we all love to speculate but deep down we should want whats best for the club, it may give the young players an opportunity and keep my season ticket down as low as posible to boot!
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@Karl: What I truly believe, is that SAF and the backroom boys should go all out that the team get off to a FLYING start this season. A good run of WINNING games will convince the lads that they are good enough without Ronnie. Berba, Rooney, Nani, Anderson, Evans, Macheda, Welbeck should be told in no uncertain terms that they have this season to PROVE what they have got, and to show a Manchester United winning mentality. That they will be given EVERY encouragement to make a name for themselves, and they have to take it. Ronaldo should NEVER be mentioned around the team, Old Trafford or the fans on the terraces. Whoever puts on that Red Shirt should hear their name sang and chanted from the rafters by the terrace choristers
. Come on you Red Devils, lets scare the shit out of the opposition with great football, and LOUD FAN PRESENCE!
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@Craig Mc: I actually really agree with that. I remain totally unconvinced that we’re going to get a show-stopper signing – just a refreshing of the squad and a post-Ronaldo deployment of the pool of talent we have.
Fergie has to back the Rooney-Berba horse all the way down the straight now.
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@Craig Mc: I have said that very thing before, lets look at the kids and give them a least a chance to succeed, Rossi was sold too soon and lets not make the same error in Macheda, Evans, Welbeck (who I am not convinced on), The twins, Tosic, Possebon, Petrucci ect we could save ourselves a fortune.
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@Craig Mc: Sorry mate good, or better than people actually think.
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Real Madrid aren’t going to want to sell to us and if they do they’ll make us pay a premium.
I don’t see us buying anyone really big. Forget Ribery, Benzema, Aguero. We will buy Valencia as a direct replacement. We will buy a forward to replace Tevez. And possibly a midfielder if Hargreaves is not fit for the start of the season. In total we’d spend £50 million at most. Three players at most.
I like the idea of relying on our youths but who the hell is there in midfield? Anderson looks like he has peaked early and is mediocre at best. Gibson is on the way out. Possebon looks a bit lightweight and really needs to go on loan. Ljajic is very inexperienced and needs a couple of seasons in the reserves/Carling cup. Tosic is too weedy.
Basically we have a couple of good young defenders…Rafael, Fabio, Evans etc. And a couple of good strikers….Welbeck, Macheda, Petrucci.
Strikers take a long time to fully mature and im not going to entrust Macheda or Welbeck with the task of filling the 30 goal hole Ronaldo is leaving behind. Our defenders are ok but defence isn’t really a problem for this team.
So we really do need a good striker to replace Tevez and a couple of good midfielders.
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@Penguin: He does have ability and left sided wingers are in a short supply, he has got older and hopefully more mature and if the price is right then worth thinking about.
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I’m an “avid follower” of La liga too.. and i must say, Huntelaar is not that good. Actually, the 8 goals he scored in 14 games – one hat-trick and other brace. 3 goals in other games.. And only thing he can do is finish, man.. Infact RVN is much better, because he can read the game well and start plays. And who ever said hunter has pace.?
No way..
Game will become predictable. I sincierly doubt that Fergie would go for hunter even though he’d fit into the scheme of pedestrian football where you build up really well and get atmost 3-4 chances per match which he’ll bury into the back of the net. A bit like ‘Philipo’ Inzaghi IMO. He’s good but he’s certainly no Luis Ronaldo!- Possibly the cleanest striker of the ball the world has ever seen, even greater than Thierry Henry..
He cannot dribble, he cannot pass, he doesn’t have the vision. He’s only a good striker of the ball and has a dead eye for goal. Technique is also questionable. Certainly not a class player. If he’s bought then it must mean that we are getting good crossers of the ball and having him happily sit in the box and score..
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@Stephen: Ashley Young all the way…
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@Penguin: Good player but he would be so expensive
and right footed, playing him on the left in an Orthodox 4-4-2 would be a waste, but in 4-3-3 he would work either way we do need a left sided player, obviously depending on how Tosic develops.
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Park scored for Korea in a 1-1 draw against Iran within the last couple of hours. It was a nice goal too, playing a one-two on the edge of the box and firing a left foot shot past the keeper at the near post.
And who thinks we should look at signing Tim Cahill? We all know we need more goals out of midfield and this guy fits the bill. On top of that, he is established in the premiership. He would also replace the aerial power that Ronaldo gave us. He just scored another brace for Australia this evening in a 2-1 win against Japan at a packed MCG. What do you guys think, especially you Grognard?
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The policy is nothing new and not there for everyone else to follow. Its purely there to safeguard the future of Manchester United. Something Fergie is there to do and something he takes very seriously.
We need to ensure we have players in the squad that can be cultivated in to United players by the time they reach their peak. We also need to ensure continuity for the club, in terms of players and in terms of business. Money must be looked after. The key is to develop players that will want to remain United players. That’s difficult but not impossible. Look at Brown, O’shea, Fletcher, Rooney, Scholes, Giggs, Neville. I hope that from Gibson, Evans, Cathcart, Wellbeck etc we get a few more.
Recent times have shown that there is very little value in spending big money on a player in his 30s. Ask Chelsea fans about Shevchenko.
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/jun/16/real-madrid-player-clearout
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@Roge9: That was discussed over the last couple of days.
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@Stephen: Rossi and Pique were two massive mistake transfers. It was bltantly bloody obvious that those two were going to do really well. I feel really sad that we lost them, and I still can’t understand why???
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@Merlinus: Isn’t that the exact same thing that I said yesterday (or was it the day before)?
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@Craig Mc: Selling Rossi was probably a bad move, but don’t think it was such a bad idea selling Pique. I think Evans is a far better defender in the rumble and tumble of the Premiership.
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@Onkar: What is it you don’t understand from my statement mate?
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@Karl: Everybody seems to be forgetting, Carlos apparently doesn’t want to play for Fergie anymore. So whether we should or shouldn’t sign him sounds pointless. He doesn’t want to come back because of how he perceives Fergie treated him and because he wants to be a starter.
What would serve him right is for his greed to make him sign for Chelsea. He goes there and ends up on their bench behind Drogba, Anelka, Kalou and possibly even Pato or some other signing. Greedy player deserve that kind of luck and folly. Right or wrong it’s a team game and too many ego’s keep it from being that these days. It’s about starts, image rights, personal contracts and exposure potential. I guess winning is a secondary thought to Carlito.
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@redeyed_wunderer: What makes you think that when it has been clear that if it were possible, that’s exactly what Fergie would prefer to do. His top two targets from day one have been Benzema and Ribery and only their lack of enthusiasm for a move to United as well as the demands of their team’s have kept Fergie at bay. I have complained for months over Fergie’s fetish for Benzema on those grounds. He should never ever go after a player who lives and breathes Real Madrid.
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@Red Ranter: Not too sure about that RR, although I am a fan of Evans too. I truly like Pique though
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@Sam: Fergie never reopens a door he a slammed shut. In other words, he never brings back a player he has let go or sold. It’s just not in his makeup or history.
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