I wanted to write my feelings on our transfers, but didn't want to start a new threat, but also, didn't feel there was a topic for it.
Why are we struggling? I think it is down to two things.
1. The Board, Woodward etc only want to sign players if they feel it is for a fair price
2. When we have bought players of late, they have either been a failure, younger players not progressing, or players who just simply haven't even played for us
I remember a few years ago, Bayern Munich bought Javi Martinez for 34m, and in my opinion, people where shocked at the fee, myself included, but, he was a player they felt would improve their squad, and where happy that the fee was good enough.
We just seem like a club that want the best deal, but nothing else. An example currently is Rojo. We have bid 16m or so, which is delaying the deal, yet we won't pay the 24m buy out clause, which could have had the deal wrapped up already, and been an asset, especially while Shaw is out.
As for point number 2. When we have spent, it's always been on the wrong players, for different reasons.
Mata - Very good player, but it's already made a dilemma on how can we play Rooney, RVP and him
Fellaini - Just doesn't work for a style of play United should go for. Fans have fallen out with him, I don't think LVG wants him, clubs don't wanna spend on him
Kagawa - I just don't think he is suited to the high intensity and quality of the Premier league, but again, was played out of position so much due to Rooney and RVP
Zaha - Rarely played, still young, but I think he will be sold soon
Jones - Bought as the future of Uniteds defence. He just has not progressed at all. Spends to much time on the floor, and making last ditch challenges to recover from his own mistakes
Smalling - Again, in my opinion has never really progressed like he should have. There is a high regard for him on here, but I just don't think he has done that much
Bebe - Well, Bebe
Valencia - He started off well, but he has just regressed if anything. He was bought to replace Ronaldo, and I think that shows the intent of the club
They are the transfers from the last 5 seasons, If I look back, the likes of Nani, Anderson, Hargreaves, berbatov etc could have been thrown in there.
Our last really successful window was the 05/06 season, albeit no expensive players, but the right players.
In the last 5 seasons:
United - Spent 267m / Sold 49.5m / Net 217.5m
Chelsea - Spent 409.5m / Sold 193.5m / Net 216m
Liverpool - Spent 324m / Sold 222m / Net 102m
Arsenal - Spent 228.5m / Sold 156m / Net 72.5m
So when you look at them figures, it shows we get absolute no resale value on players, excluding Ronaldo. We buy the wrong players, at the wrong times (Position, Age etc)
Them teams all currently have better squads than us, yet our net is the highest, albeit 1m above Chelsea, but it is still higher
(I came in here with no posts, I dread to think how many have been posted by now
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