03 Sep 2014 19:03:33
I have seen various posts regarding Mike Phelan's comments. Peashooter in particular making some good points. I have been following United since 68 and the decline that followed was because of that supposed identity, the false idea that the youth would just come through again to take us back to the top as it had in the 50's and 60's. Well we didn't "lose our identity" then but we did get relegated. Relegated because the club wouldn't spend on top players and the youth we were waiting for, as now were not good enough. I don't think we would have been relegated but it would have been midtable due to the eyes of previous management totally taken off the task at hand.

The actual key point for me is that this window signalled the end of the Ferguson sentimentality syndrome which has kept us below the very best level of the Barca, Munich and Madrid levels for a while. Sentiment is what Phelan expressed, sentiment that pervaded all our dealings for years, the same sentiment that I have written about on here a few times. Well Phelan amply demonstrated the sentiment that I was talking about.

This window, the sentiment was blown out of Old Trafford by someone with a keen eye on quality not where they come from or whether they are a decent chap from the reserves who has done his time and deserves his chance. I don't really care much what Phelan thinks because I am too busy enjoying the fact United have really started a transition process based on the right decisions not on sentiment.

1.) 03 Sep 2014
Good post Red Man key word in there is "Sentiment", no room for it in football in this day n age.

2.) 03 Sep 2014
I very good point that redman

3.) 03 Sep 2014
Red Man

Totally agree. Couldn't have said it better myself. LVG immediately noticed a distinct lack of world-class quality and has done his best to address it, that will have casualties but those casualties are to be expected.

4.) 03 Sep 2014
Red Man

I struggle to understand how SAF was thinking. He seemed obsessed with value in the market and bringing in younger players with potential. I'm all for that but why we couldn't bring in 1 world class player each year is beyond me. I think Ronaldo turning into the best player in the world reinforced his belief he could unearth real gems. The evidence suggests otherwise. He made some great and poor buys of well regarded experienced players but when it came to players with potential, he generally got it wrong. Not trying to dis him, and his achievements will never be equalled but his transfer policy in recent years was odd. Bebe simply never made sense, nor did Buttner. Why buy Kagawa and then not play him? Why buy Powell and then loan him out? We sat and watched whilst Chelsea and City signed Toure, Hazard, Aguero, Silva, Oscar and all because there was no value in the market.

The final point to make is that if the players coming through aren't good enough, then they aren't good enough. Is our youth set up fit for purpose? Are we transitioning players from youth to 1st team effectively? How are clubs like Southampton able to do it so well?

I want us to bring players through and always have a core of home grown players, but only if they are good enough

5.) 03 Sep 2014
Good post, completely agree

6.) 03 Sep 2014
03 Sep 2014 21:26:10
Nobody I have seen on here has said we should play youth team guys if they're not good enough.

But it remains a valid viewpoint that we should always be striving to get the very best youth through our academy, and if good enough, integrate them into the first team.

It's got nothing to do with sentimentality. There needs to be a balance between top class 'worldies', and top class potential coming through our ranks.

If for no other reason than you are not going to keep 21 'galacticos' happy throughout a season if they're all not playing.

7.) 03 Sep 2014
Well said red man, I totally agree

8.) 04 Sep 2014
Agreed RedMan. Phelan in my opinion was a disaster at United. Our game deteriorated when he became right hand man. I'm old enough to have seen him as a player, and he was rubbish at that too.
But the most ridiculous statement was him saying we're losing identity by selling/loaning our young players, welbeck and cleverly. But didn't he and his master allow Paul Pogba to leave by not giving him enough games?
What the hell is phelan on? He should just shut up and be grateful that this club gave him a fantastic living for years.

9.) 04 Sep 2014
Been thinking the same myself Redman exactly the same points. Didn't post it because I tend to get shot down by most so can't be arsed! But your right busby despite breaking transfer records a couple of times himself didn't like the fact we spent the money we did on Robson he was part of the board who wouldn't give the Doc money for certain players like shilton. Obviously Edwards dad had a lot to do with it too. Fergie bought 5 players at the start if the 89/90 season it wasn't all about youth with him either.