United Transfers: Is That it?
Have United completed their summer transfer deals with the signings of Nani, Anderson and Owen Hargreaves?
Sir Alex has barely let the dust settle on United’s ninth title in 15 years, before setting to work on a near £50 million re-equipping of his team.
“Manchester United is delighted to announce it has agreed terms in principle with FC Porto and Sporting Lisbon for the purchase of the registrations of Anderson and Nani,” a club statement declared.
Both players are skilled, pacy, highly-rated and coveted by Europe’s leading football powers. Having been burned by South Americans in the past, Sir Alex will trust that Anderson is no Forlan, Kleberson nor a Veron and hope that Nani proves to be the equal of Ronaldo.
The transfer fees for the players have yet to be revealed but are sure to have put a dent in United’s budget, adding to the impact of Hargreaves long-delayed £17 million move from Bayern Munich. Newspapers speculate that United may have spent more than £30 million to sign the players.
At the season’s end, the manager revealed that he expected to bring in three new players.
“The players have achieved a lot this year,” Ferguson said. “We set out to win the Premiership, that was our target, and they have done exceptionally well. It’s important to remember that. We have to re-group now. Assess the situation. We want to be better. We needed a stronger squad in that period when we were going for the three challenges of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
“We want people who are prepared to accept that we want to be better and who want to be better. That will be my job this summer.”
Most definitely, Sir Alex has been as good as his word.
Few fans would have expected United to splash so much cash so soon, especially with the Glazers due to give £62 million in interest payments alone to bankers this year. Many of those same fans will now be hoping that the spending spree is not over.
Speculation remains that United are in the market for a new striker to replace Louis Saha. Sir Alex’s interest in Gareth Bale before he joined Spurs, has also raised suggestions that United will seek defensive cover.
The manager has five weeks before pre-season training begins. With the cache of an unexpected transfer coup, Sir Alex has thrown down the gauntlet to his Premiership rivals in the most glorious manner. For Mourinho, Benitez and Wenger, the heat is on.
