Many Manchester United supporters will have woken up this morning disappointed at the news of supposed transfer targets Pedro and Nicolas Otamendi joining rivals Chelsea and Manchester City respectively. Many will be criticising the transfer market dealings of Ed Woodward and considering whether manager Louis van Gaal has lost his touch when it comes to judging the footballing ability of the individuals mentioned. Of course, the press have jumped to the conclusion that United’s apparent failure to lure Pedro and Otamendi to Old Trafford suggests the club’s status as one of the world’s biggest is under threat.
What needs considering is who snubbed who. Firstly, it appears that United did hold a firm interest in both players that have now moved to other clubs. I’m prepared to believe that such interest was genuine but I’m equally certain that Louis van Gaal handed Ed Woodward an extensive and lengthy list of players to target.
Typically, we heard that both Pedro and Otamendi came close to joining United on numerous occasions throughout the summer but much like Arturo Vidal last year, this was more media hype than actual substance. This seems to be the case with every transfer window, a certain individual or two get mercilessly linked and ‘spotted’ in Manchester. Wesley Sneijder was always a particular feature in this role and although rumours linking him have been quiet this year, with over a week remaining before the window shuts there is still plenty of time for that to change. What looks to have happened is that United didn’t make formal bids for either player. With many media outlets expecting Pedro to have joined shortly after his heroics in the UEFA Super Cup, the announcement of his arrival to Chelsea did come as quite a surprise. Whilst plenty will vent their frustrations at seeing another target move elsewhere, particularly one of Pedro’s obvious stature and quality, a bid clearly never came from United. Rumours are abound that van Gaal doubted the worth of the player and decided against informing Woodward to attempt to push the deal through.
With Otamendi, the apparent interest in him from United had cooled in recent weeks, and whilst his move to Manchester was expected, it was to be with City rather than ourselves. Again his arrival at City will prompt plenty of outbursts of anguish and anger from supporters who feel United desperately need a top class central defender. After missing out on Sergio Ramos, losing Otamendi to our neighbours will be deemed unacceptable. Yet just as was the case with Pedro, van Gaal again obviously wasn’t keen on making the transfer happen.Therein lies the answer to the questions coming out of the press as whether Manchester United remain a big club. If they had wanted to sign Pedro or Otamendi then they would have. Both were available and there is no doubt that United would have landed them over their rivals. The questioning of United’s status in world football is actually quite insulting. Manchester United is a name that transcends football and makes it one of, if not, the biggest sporting institution on the planet. Prestige isn’t something that guarantees success and whilst City and Chelsea have enjoyed better times that United in the last two years, the unparalleled dominance of the previous twenty-five ensures that United are still the team in English football and they will be for many generations to come. Their tradition, history and spirit are elements that no amount of money can obtain or emulate.
I can’t say that I’m particularly disappointed by the club deciding not to sign Pedro or Otamendi or, at the time of writing, another established name. In each individual case the decision van Gaal has made could be the right one. I’ve read that Pedro was put off by the ‘toughness’ of our manager. If there is a grain of truth in it then by not signing him, we’ve probably avoided another Angel Di Maria situation of a player lacking the mental strength to succeed at Manchester United. In Otamendi’s case, it is difficult to see the worth in spending £32million on a 27-year-old who has enjoyed one good season and claims it’s been his dream to play for Man City since he was a boy. When you consider that City were either being relegated to the third tier of English football or playing in it at the time of his childhood, the claim borders on the ridiculous and reeks of a player’s primary concern being financial.
Although it can justifiably be argued that, if they desire to win the big prizes this season, United need to bolster the squad with top class players, there are several problems that concern me with this approach. It is after all a very short term policy. Pedro is 28 and Otamendi, as mentioned, is only a year younger. Signing players at such an age is hardly preparing for the future.
I’ve already done an article on why a ‘galactico’ policy doesn’t suit United so I won’t delve into it too much here but as di Maria and Radamel Falcao have shown in the last twelve months, the purchasing of established world stars has been an underwhelming disappointment. Most importantly, bringing in a high number of these types of individuals isn’t the Manchester United way.
Perhaps Louis van Gaal hasn’t ventured into the market any further because he feels the young players coming through are good enough to make an impact this season. There is already plenty of experience in the squad- Bastian Schweinsteiger and Wayne Rooney define established class- and the youngsters are capable of securing a place in the first team. The reason United boast a stature greater than any of their rivals is largely down to their commitment to youth. From Busby’s Babes to Fergie’s Fledglings that commitment has made Manchester United world famous and incredibly successful.
The latest era of young stars have a lot to live up and aspire to. It may seem risky to bring them into the team but such faith gave us the likes of Duncan Edwards and Paul Scholes. Why can’t Andreas Pereira fill the void left by Angel Di Maria’s departure? It would be a bold decision from van Gaal but it would be in line with the club’s ethos and history. He has already put considerable faith in Adnan Januzaj and Memphis Depay, an acquisition but one which fits in with the United philosophy of young, hungry players who can develop into stars.
Comments.
Loading comments…