Adam Dennehey WAFU manager
Since Manchester United’s humiliating exit from the Champions League many questions have been asked of the squad, of the performances and even Sir Alex Ferguson himself, but mainly of the controversial owners of United – The Glazers.
Now I’m in no way a fan of the Glazers but let’s get some perspective here.
For the last 5 years Manchester United’s net transfer spending is £58.9 million. United are 8th overall behind Stoke City, Sunderland, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester City and Chelsea.
From looking at this the instant reaction is that the Glazers are stopping Ferguson from investing to his full liking to increase his squad but this is incorrect.
Despite many claims that the Glazers pockets are tight they have had no problem funding the £50 million spent in the summer and could have been upwards of £85 million had the Wesley Sneijder transfer materialized. Even so many have claimed this money was down to players leaving and wages being freed up.
Then let’s take a look at the summer of 2007. Manchester United spent £18 million on Porto playmaker Anderson, Portuguese winger Nani for £17 million and Owen Hargreaves from Bayern Munich for £17 million. Another summer of £50 million spent, £52 million to be exact.
But let’s look at the bigger picture here. Manchester United have won the Premier League 4 times in the last 5 seasons and also won the Champions league and being in two finals losing to Barcelona on both occasions. Ferguson himself has not seen a reason to spend bigger and bigger if his sides are consistently topping the pile in the Premier League.
Ah yes don’t worry I hear the central midfield issue calling.
Of course Manchester United are in drastic need of a new central midfielder but as far as we are all aware the Glazers were not refusing Ferguson funds for a central midfielder in the summer. The Sneijder transfer is the big case for this even himself admitting he was very close to joining the champions. Samir Nasri also would have joined but for more wages at City and that would have had upwards of a £20 million price tag.
The Central Midfield issue will undoubtedly be solved in the summer and it won’t come cheap.
When the squad is winning trophies, performing at a high standard and impressing Sir Alex Ferguson will get the praise and admiration. But when things are going wrong and results aren’t going United’s way the blame will ultimately go on the owners.
Now I’m in no way a fan of the Glazers with their high ticket prices and the debt they have imposed on the club. I want them gone as much as the next fan but it is ludicrous to put the blame on them for every failure.
Manchester United were knocked out of the Champions League at their own accord. Ferguson made mistakes with selections and the players didn’t perform.
No doubt the squad is in need of a need or sparkle and new life seeing as the injury pile up at the moment, players soon to be leaving the club and the loss of Darren Fletcher to a long term illness too. In my opinion around 4 new players are needed. This will also be compensated seeing as players are certain to be sold come the end of the season.
The Glazers will not lead on to be a Sheikh Mansour carbon copy. They treat Manchester United as a business not a hobby.
As far as I am aware the failure to sign a central midfielder is down to Ferguson not the Glazers. And that itself is not Ferguson’s fault as he tried hard to solve the problem. The funds were there reportedly so let’s not blame either party for that.
As it is United may be out of the Carling Cup and the Champions League in embarrassing circumstances but only 2 points behind leaders Manchester City in the Premier League. That’s not a bad position to be in consdiering the fact United are playing with half a squad and numerous players out of position. United always come good towards January.
There’s an FA Cup 3rd round at Eastlands to come and it looks like a monumental game that were United to win could kick the stuffing out of City.
Oh and there’s the Europa League too…
By Darren Hickey @DHick92
