OK, since we've pooped up several transfers and with Fergies known, 'he dont take no sheet philosophy'. And Chelski's seemlessly endless pot, Bathalona, and Madrid, are we going to be landing more 8 millioners than 25 millioners? Does Fergie scare em off? Will the board splash big every again? Are we playing 3rd or 4th fiddle now? Are we going backwards?
Ruud van Nistelrooy has known all along that he could easily move to Real Madrid if he wanted to. The fact that he doesn't appear to tells me that Man U is absolutely a destination. I do believe that Man U must privatize itself (whether it's JP McManus or Malcolm Glazer or a partnership) if it is to land players that are choosing between Man U, AC Milan, Barcelona, and Real Madrid. Otherwise, no it can't spend a boat load on transfers otherwise they get slaughtered for ruining stockholders' return on investment. But Man U is and will always be a big club so long as it has the biggest ground in England.
When did they ever? For Britain & Ireland's elite it is still the favourite destination. The top players in European & world football have never been beating a path to Old Trafford. Culture, language, money, climate, location are all bigger factors working against United than scary Fergie.
To be honest after a year like this it only hurts us and makes us seem like were going in the wrong direction
How long do you think it'd take him to sign if Fergie called tomorrow ? Might just be possible with Martin Ferguson scouting...
The only way ManU could go private is if the shareholders were bought out. The fact that ManU brings in more revenue then any other team in the world of sports completely eliminates that possibility. What ManU corporate shareholder in their right minds would want to sell their stakes when they're making more money than anyone who invests in this sport? The question is not why players dont want to play for ManU which is utterly outrageous to begin with (its almost every players dream to be a devil), its what sort of economic policies that ManU uses to permit player purchases?
That wasn't the impression I got from reading your recent posts Facts are facts. Manchester is an historically industrial city in the cooler and wetter north-west of the country, unlike London it isn't a capital. Examples of our best foreign signings have been Keane (Ireland), Schmeichel (Denmark), Solskjear (Norway), Ruud (Holland) and examples of our worst Forlan (Uruguay), Veron (Argentina), Kleberson (Brazil). The list above can be debated and there are exceptions. But it shows that first off, we don't attract many warm climate players in the first place (eg why did Ronaldinho not come?) and those that we do are not stellar performers. I put Kleberson in because he is a good example of 'settling problems'. Other than Cantona, we haven't managed to buy any established big name, big personality stars. I do think some players don't react well to an authoritarian management style. Again another reason I suspect Ronaldinho choose not to come. Our financial prudence as a plc does not help us either. You get the distinct feeling that a new wage is not allowed until one has departed. You also get the feeling there is a salary cap. For me, in many ways though the above conspires to mean that we should be buying central / northern European players who want to come and play at Man U and learn from SAF. Robben was a prime example of this, problem is that plc penny pinching blew it.
Interesting point as far as the climate, I had not considered that. This certainly could be a consideration that top players make in choosing where they would play. Watching Kleberson this season, I felt that he was not used to the more physical tackling in the Premiership. Never considered if the colder climate might be affecting him. And while it is a good sign that Ruud seems to want to stay, at what point does the continual speculation of his "departure" affect the team. I realize they are professionals, but all of the rumors and speculation must be quite wearing on them.
why go out and spend 25 million as mentioned above and then have this player last a few years and thats it, when you can go out and find gems that would perfectly fit into your style of play for 2-3 million! just my 2 cents
If I signed, how long do you think before ManU was in the thrid division? 2 seasons, as one would be so bad they'd just relegate them 2 divisions and be done with it!
I dunno why I made this thread, was feeling down you know? Really its a historic club, with the best fans and a great attacking flair in general. apart from this season, and maybe not in someways its always entertaining watching Manutd. Any player that doesn't want to play for Manutd must be nuts. Roy Keane says it to. Anyone think Claudio would make a good number 2? Or what about Carlos returning?
Yeah climate might be a small portion of the decision making process. However, all you need to overcome that is to win, and win a lot. Your climate may stink compared to Barcelona, but if you are always winning players will still want to come. Look at the Patriots. Massachusetts in the winter sucks! But they win and players would like to end up there.
Anyone see the Manutd fans against Blackburn? All the match singing old songs and they were all wearing retro stuff heh
Wait a minute: the Pats have been good for like, what, 4 years??? They've won a grand total of 2 Super Bowls, so I'm not really sure that players are "lining up at the border" to sign with New England. Try Dallas: 5 Super Bowl titles, great weather, and no state income tax. All that and the Tuna is running the show now. Of course, with the way the NFL is now, we've seen the last of any "dynastys" in American football.
Yep. I swear Don Garber must be the real NFL commissioner... I think a better comparison would be the Lakers. Look at the big stars who have come to them recently in part to win a championship. And it doesn't hurt that its sunny LA. That could potentially be happening in soccer, with Chelsea and Arsenal because London is perceived as hip, and Madrid and Barcelona also, with their cool nightlife (I believe Kluivert owns a club in Barcelona) and pleasant weather. The image of Manchester as a city in general isn't what it was in the days of the "Madchester" scene. I'm not saying that necessarily affects all players, but if you were young and had the opportunity to make millions, wouldn't you want to do it in a city where you could have loads of fun? I think if you combine that with SAF's image of being a hardass who drove away Becks for wanting to have a good time and be a good family man, a lot of players may not be lining up to play for United.
The gridiron season is only 6 months - you can get away to better climes for the other 6 months. A soccer player barely gets 6 weeks off. I was born and bred in Manchester - spent the first 22 years of my life there (even played for Man U's first team ) but there's no way you would get me back there. One reason. The blo.ody awful weather!!!
The City of Manchester lacks the nightlife and glitz and glamour of a city like Madrid, Rome, London, etc. If a player wants to live in peace and quiet, while raising a family in a "normal" setting then I think Manchester would be a decent place to play.