Will Nani Be A Victim Of Glazernomics?

Speculation regarding the future of Manchester United winger Nani has gathered momentum over the last few weeks, with some tabloids suggesting that Sir Alex Ferguson is prepared to consider any serious offers made for the Portuguese play maker.

It is nearly exactly five years ago since Nani made the switch to Manchester from Sporting Clube de Portugal for a £17million pound transfer fee. Since that move Nani has grown in stature and has become an integral and important player for the reds, showing consistent signs in his development and improvement in his play over the years.

So it comes as no surprise to me that the story about United considering selling one of their star assets has been publicised, it would be a move that would make total Glazernomic sense when you think about it.

United, due to their American owners, quite literally do not have a pot to urinate in when it comes to trying to flex their financial muscle when competing in the transfer market, due to the crippling interest payments they must keep up to date with, something that the Glazers have saddled the club with.

Its no secret that United are currently crying out for a creative central midfield player, but the calibre of the player they require will not come cheap. United do not have time on their side, teams around them are getting stronger and the noisy neighbours will also look at adding strong additions to their ranks, so Sir Alex does not have time to sign up and try out another Djemba-Djemba or Kleberson.

There are a few names being thrown about that fit the shoe's United are looking to fill, Tottenhams Luka Modric is a serious and realistic target but he would cost somewhere close to £30million, does anybody actually believe United have that kind of money lying about? If it was available, the Glazers would have probably paid off a small piece of the clubs debt with it.

United would have to sell before competing for the signature of a top class midfield player, and behind Wayne Rooney who without doubt is the clubs biggest asset financially, is the Portuguese winger Nani who's contract clock is also ticking away with no sign of an improved deal being offered.

The Manchester club would probably be realistically be looking at recouping a fee of around £25million for Nani, a fee that would then enable then to compete for the quality creative midfield player they have been craving since the 2011 Champions League final against Barcelona at Wembley highlighted their weakness in that area.

Although personally I would not want to see a player leave who I believe has not fulfilled his full potential at Old Trafford, United have Ashley Young as a replacement, he is a natural left sided player depending on whether he can step up and become a consistent threat, The legend that is Ryan Giggs will also be available to fill in on that side, so Nani would not leave the reds short on that side.

I said a few weeks before the end of the season I feared Nani could be a victim of Uniteds financial problem's and its still something I can see happening this summer, will Nani become a victim of Glazernomics? Expect the rumours to resurface shortly when Portugal are packing their Euro 2012 suitcases and Nani is reporting back to Manchester.

Why Can't England Supporters Put Aside Club Rivalry?



Beckham giving a one-finger salute to fans who hurled taunts at him

As Manchester United's Danny Welbeck delicately back heeled the ball into the Sweden goal to confirm England's 3-2 win, it proved to me that I made the correct decision to drop all interest in our national side.

It's a decision I made in the year 2000 based on the England supporters obsession and hatred towards the Manchester United based players who represent their country, and the tedious and bitter crowd chants of "stand up if you hate Man U". England supporters burned effigies of David Beckham after his dismissal in World Cup 1998, but then hailed him as their hero and saviour when he scored that free kick against Greece to earn England automatic qualification to the 2002 tournament, fans can be so fickle sometimes, especially those who follow England.

Being a Manchester United supporter I was obviously delighted for Danny Welbeck scoring the winner, he's a Mancunian and a product of United's youth academy, but this is where the problem seems to be when it comes to England supporters, they are unable to unite and put club rivalry aside.

During and following the match, Social networking site twitter was displaying all the evidence of England supporters who despise rival club players who play for their country. One tweet from a England Liverpool supporter read "Get Young and Welbeck off and bring on Downing and Henderson", this was shortly before Welbeck scored the winning goal, I wonder if this supporter celebrated the Mancunian's match winning goal? Other supporters tweeted "Manc scum" after the match winning goal.

Liverpool supporters were not the only ones criticising rival club team players, Manchester United's England supporters were also tweeting negative comments about Johnson, Gerrard and Carroll. I even seen a comment from an Arsenal supporter slagging off Scott Parker.

How do England ever expect to achieve Success in an International tournament if the country's supporters can't even unite and put club rivalry to one side? England seem to be the only country who can't fully get behind their national team, I can't imagine that a Spanish supporter who's supporters Real Madrid would have been the slightest bit bothered that it was Barcelona's Andres Iniesta who scored the goal that secured the World Cup for his country.

I am not putting all England supporters into the same category, I know that there are supporters who fully get behind the national team, but the supporters who constantly go on about rival club team players entertain me and confirm that I made the correct decision to choose my club over my country.

David Beckham Should Be United's First Summer Signing

Forget about all the talented players that have been linked with a move to Old Trafford this year, One player Manchester United should seriously consider signing this summer who would prove to be pivotal and important, is David Beckham. 

No, I have not been making the most of the reasonably priced alcohol down at my local Weatherspoons, Reading the start to this will have had the word "Glazernomics" going through most supporters heads. I am not suggesting we bring him back as a player, Beckham is clearly passed it, but as an ambassador of the club who would assist in the signing of future talent in a transfer market that United are clearly struggling in, what do you think of my idea now then?

Since 2009 the transfer market has seen United fail to secure the signatures of Karim Benzema, Alexis Sanchez, Samir Nasri, Wesley Sneijder and most recently Eden Hazard. United officially identified all of these players through their scouting network, and placed bids to try and secure the services of the exciting talents of World football. 

Some supporters will feel that the Glazers are responsible for not capturing these future talents, but it seems to me that the creme da la creme of world footballers are no longer attracted to the name Manchester United, the teams history, it's global fan base, or playing in front of 76,000 spectators at the famous Old Trafford.

I Remember a time when players with the calibre of Roy Keane turned down increased personal terms from other clubs, simply because he said he "could not miss out on the opportunity to play for Manchester United", it seems that times are changing rapidly in football.

You hear of so many ex United players stating that they could not resist the chance of playing for the reds, but that seems to be changing, obviously not helped by Russian and Sheikh billionaires investing in football clubs, and football agents  advising players badly and trying to get the best deal for their client.

United also seem to be struggling to hang on to youngsters coming through the youth ranks these days. Although Ravel Morrison probably left for non footballing reasons, and was pushed towards the exit door in the end, Paul Pogba looks set to turn his back on the reds in favour of a lucrative offer from Italian side Juventus.

Sir Alex Ferguson mentioned a few months ago, that a contract proposal had been put to Pogba and his agent, and that United player Rio Ferdinand was also trying to persuade the Frenchman that Manchester United was the place for him to shine. Ferdinand was clearly involved because he is viewed as an experienced player in the squad who also has the respect of the younger players who look up to him. 

This is where I feel the addition of David Beckham working behind the scenes as Manchester United's club ambassador could give the reds an edge, in what has proved to be a difficult and competitive transfer market to acquire the rising stars of the game.

Other teams have ex players doing similar roles, Close to home Patrick Vieria does a similar role and played a part in bringing Samir Nasri to Manchester City, obviously the other part involved a lucrative contract and a brown envelope addressed to the players agent.

Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid was responsible for Karim Benzema choosing the Spanish side over the red of Manchester. Zidane is a legend of world football who had a highly successful  career, he made a call to Benzema in which he described his time at Real Madrid and told him that he should join them over United. So why don't United consider employing an ex player like Beckham to assist the club in its transfer dealings? Surly it would do no harm?

Most recently, if the social networking site twitter is to be believed, Eden Hazard has chosen to sign for Chelsea, a move that means he has snubbed United. Hazard is 21 years of age, trying to sign players now is almost pitching yourself to them. Although you will get supporters who say "if they don't want to sign for the club we don't want them" I agree with that to a certain extent, but let's imagine before Hazard choose Chelsea that David Beckham was working in the role that I have suggested at Old Trafford, a role that I am sure Beckham would be proud and honoured to carry out taking into account his love and passion for the Manchester club.

United in advance would have briefed Beckham on Eden Hazard and told him he was a future talent they did not want to let slip through their fingers. Beckham then makes the phone call, and in his soft cockney accent says "Eden? It's David Beckham, I am calling because my club Manchester United want to sign you, can we meet up so that I can discuss my time at United and why I think they are the club and platform for you to showcase your talent at?"

I honestly think that appointing such a charismatic and respected iconic figure like David Beckham, would give United that extra edge in a transfer market that has become very competitive. Beckham has great memories of his time at Old Trafford, the treble season in 1999 being the highlight. 

He also knows Sir Alex and has always stated that the Scots man was "like a father figure" during his illustrious time at United. All he would have to do is advise the transfer target of those great memories and experiences. Also the fact that Beckham is the most famous footballer in the world, and a powerful iconic figure that every player would be familiar with, would mean that any potential target would be highly motivated and inspired by listening to a player like Beckham.

I am not for one minute being totally naive and suggesting that we would have signed all the transfer targets we have missed out on if Beckham was involved in the negotiations, but you must surly agree to some extent, that he would have enhanced Manchester United's chances of signing some of the players that have slipped through the reds landing net over the last few years wouldn't he?