I agree, this was a punt that ended up being a severe waste of money at the end..
I always saw this as Sir Alex trying to make up for not being more forceful and signing Aaron Ramsey, which he probably came to regret.
Probably miles off, but that's how I interpreted this whole transfer.
I remember him getting lots of praise in those few Champions League games, where, personally, I thought he looked really lost. Obviously he was young but his technique looked really dodgy. Lots of over-running and over/under-passing.
I think he only comes alive near the box or when shooting. That's when he sometimes pulls out a nice touch. But his general touch and everything else is pretty 'meh' when he isn't gearing up to shoot.
I don't see much of a footballing brain, to be honest.