Will Manchester United really spend big this summer?
Sir Alex Ferguson has always gone about his player management with an iron grip that most other managers would find hard to follow. Throughout an illustrious managerial career spanning more than 35 years, the Glaswegian has never been known, exactly, for being a pushover and when it comes to transfers: if he doesn’t need players, Manchester United don’t buy, and if someone is needed, he more than usually gets his man. However, he does find a compromise in this style, and even with this stern approach, has a good rapport with his players.
So, what does a manager of this calibre do when one of, if not your star player comes to you and threatens to leave? The only conditions of which he’ll stay are firstly, double my wages to £200,000-a-week, and secondly, challenge for every major trophy by signing world-class players. When your owners are rather financially-capable New Yorkers, condition A is, not necessarily easily (more morally than otherwise) but doable. Condition B is the tricky bit.
Darren Bent is apparently worth £18 million. At nearly double that price comes Andy Carroll at £30 million and with half a dozen appearances so far but no goals to show for it is the whoppingly expensive Fernando Torres at £50 million. Paul Stretfords’ extortionate wage hike for client Rooney, now doesn’t seem so bad. However, the easy part of putting pen to paper is done. The harder task of actually holding on to Wayne Rooney will be tested on July 1st.
The second condition is a tough demand for the Manchester United hierarchy on two levels. Obviously, on simply a physical level and in today’s transfer market, the money that has to be paid for a player showing the smallest signs of talent is hard to match, to say the least. The other issue with the Stretford-Rooney transfer condition is: what is a world-class player? Does Mr. Rooney want strictly players that cost £25 million and upwards, would he like players with goals and great statistics to their name or perhaps rising talent that shows incredible promise?
Value for money is essential in today’s market (astonishing, I know). Javier Hernandez is proving his weight in gold, bagging a goal every two appearances, on average and cost a rumoured £9 million, lightweight in modern times. Chris Smalling, a reported £8 million is performing extremely well in the defensive injury crisis that has befallen the club and recently earned his first international call-up. And let’s not forget, whilst in different times economically, arguably the world’s best player, Cristiano Ronaldo came to the club for a very understated £12 million and look what happened there.
The only reason the question of whether or not the current league leaders will be spending big this summer is even raised, is solely thanks to Stretford & Rooney Co. and their ransom. Beating closest league contenders, Arsenal in an FA Cup quarter final proves they’re good enough anyway perhaps. Sure, the Gunners have key players missing, but the Mancunian team is hardly without it’s injury woes. The final say will be made by the Glazer family and undoubtedly Sir Alex Ferguson will have a little input.
With the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Neven Subotic on the younger board and Javier Pastore, David De Gea and Yoann Gourcuff heading the ‘superstar’ list of transfer rumours, there is a definite chance Mr. Rooney’s lust for star talent will indeed be satiated, and in my opinion a great deal of money will be spent this summer. A sum in the region of £40-50 million really would not be surprising as a waning midfield saturated with tired legs emerges, a revamp may just be what the striker ordered.
