Sir Alex Ferguson apparently does not want to repeat last season’s slow reinforcement for his squad, by buying three players in just a matter of days, in order to prepare their title defense for the next Premiership season.
Portugal based Nani (Sporting Lisbon) and Anderson (Porto) are two of the most promising and highly sought after young talents around and they were both snapped up in a £30 million deal by David Gills, Man United’s chief executive and Ferguson’s portugese assistant, Carlo Quieroz in a recent visit to portugal.
After months of open speculation, Owen Hargreaves will also make his move from Bayern Munich to Manchester United on July 1 in a £17 million deal.
Young starlets
19 years old Anderson was voted player of the tournament at the 2005 Under-17 World cup, playing for Brazil, with his attacking prowess and sumptuous skills compared to the likes of his compatriot, Ronaldinho. This promptly placed him on the shortlists of European giants such as Inter and AC Milan and Real Mardrid as well.
20 years old Nani, like Cristiano Ronaldo and Ricardo Quaresma came through the ranks at Sporting Lisbon renowned youth system. His dribbling skills and fleeted footed displays, akin to Ronaldo’s will certainly make Manchester United’s supporters salivate in anticipation. Nani, although right footed, can play comfortably on the left flank and is deemed a long term successor to Ryan Giggs.
26 years old Owen Hargreaves, a totally different type of player from the two above, will bring much needed bite and drive into the midfield with his hardworking and tireless runs. Hargreaves had been targeted by Sir Alex since the last world cup ended and Hargreaves himself wanted to leave, but injuries and Bayern’s own desire to keep him till at least the end of the season meant that he could only be captured now.The fact that Ferguson is willing to spend over £40 million for three young promising players showed his desire to ensure Manchester United maintain their position as one of the best clubs in the world not just a season or two, but for years to come.
His man management skills will certainly come in handy, with real life instances such as the golden era of Giggs, Scholes, Beckham, Gary Neville, who were all nurtured under his care and becoming world class players as a result. Recent cases point to Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, both of whom have excel in the last two seasons, in the international and club scene, the former grabbing both the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year Award for last season’s premiership campaign.
Ferguson has wasted no time in throwing down the gauntlet at his title challengers. Chelsea, or should I say, Jose Mourinho, are u watching this?
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