Football News: Does Buying World Class Players Actually Work for Manchester United?

I think what I find interesting about Manchester United's predicament, is talking about Mourinho's mishandling of Pogba and Sanchez. In my years as a Manchester United fan, I have rarely known us to bring in a world class player, who performed as they did before arriving at United. When I say world class, I mean players who would get into (or near) the FIFA 'Dream Team', as opposed to potentially world class or good players who really stepped up after joining united.

I think back to the Fergie years and think of player such as; Veron, Poborsky (who had an immense World Cup at the time), Barthez, who were all 'Dream Team' players at the time of their arrival, but failed to produce the performances they were capable of, save for flashes of brilliance.

Since Fergie, Manchester United have interestingly purchased more world class players at a growing rate, such as; di Maria, Falcao, Pogba and now Sanchez. The only success story I can think in recent times for a world class talent is Ibra, but now he's struggling with injury.

Our successes tend to be bred on young up and coming or good players who stepped up, as was the case in the Fergie years with young talent; Lee Sharpe, Ryan Giggs, Mark Hughes, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ronaldo amongst a number of others. The good players we purchased who step into world class I refer to are; Keane, Evra, Vidic, Schmeichal and Cantona.

More so recently, our young players thus far are; Rashford, McTominay and Lingard who all have massive potential whereas we lack good players who stepped up, save for Martial (depending on opinion, but I feel he has a way to go yet).

The point is maybe we need to step away from the Man City, Real Madrid tactic of buying world class players as they do seem to hamper our younger talent and also prevent good players from stepping up. I don't regret Pogba as such, but let's say McTominay suddenly looks like the next Paul Scholes, would Pogba's price tag and reputation prevent his progress? It certainly seems that way in the case of Sanchez and Rashford, Martial.

I honestly feel that the only productive purchases Jose has made are Matic, Bailly and Lukaku. Particularly the latter two as they hold great potential. But maybe our ability to identify homegrown talent was the only method that has consistently worked for us, as the only few top talents I can think of that arrived with huge reputations and continued that trend were; van Nistelrooy, Ferdinand, van Persie and Cantona, but we had young players and other good players who would work with them and it was all about the team. Now, not so much at present. Maybe I'm wrong but thought it was an interesting thought.

Written by Tris Burke March 19 2018 14:19:34