What strange reworking of history is this? Both David Beckham and Ruud van Nistelrooy was flaunted and sold on Fergie’s demand because a) their form had dipped and b) he thought they where detrimental to the team. We almost hot Ronaldinho as Becks replacement, instead it was Ronaldo, and Van Nistelrooy was sold to make way for a set up of attack that would suit Ronaldo and Rooney better. It was Fergie’s wish, so yes, they were surplus to his requirements, regardless if they still played at a very level afterwards, if never quite so well as they did at their Utd peak.
De Gea was frustrated with his training set up and communication with Van Gaal, and so wanted out. In the context of the silly ‘players always leave is for Madrid’-trope, he is a player who didn’t leave us for Madrid and has stayed a Utd player for ten years.
Yeah ok I see your point. I do wonder where the trope comes from then, I don’t think it’s just the Ronaldo transfer.
Perhaps losing out to Barca and Madrid for top tier players over the years adds to the notion aswell?
Ones I can think of off the top of my head are Modrić, Bale, Benzema, Varane, Ozil all opting for Madrid over the years instead of us (or so the rumours go). More recent examples of it being a no brainier for wonder kids like Touchemeni and Camavinga choosing to go there instead of here.
It does feel as a United fan if that there was ever a choice between us and Madrid over the years, we would lose out.
I also seem to remember Darren Fletcher on Monday night football saying Fergie was good at sweetening up the European players at United as there was always the potential for them to have their heads turned by Madrid/Barca etc. But didn’t have to mollycoddle top tier British players like himself, Rooney, Ferdinand etc as he knew the British players would have dreamed to play for United and see that as the pinnacle of club football, instead of looking to move abroad.
But I do concede your point that players don’t ‘always leave us for Madrid’ like first suggested. And I’m not now changing the goal posts, just adding to the discussion as to where this feeling amongst United fans could arise from.