What Are Man United doing? AKA The Times are A-Changing
By: Rob | July 1st, 2009
So Real Madrid have signed Karim Benzema and added to their bid to make the next edition of Pro Evolution Soccer an game which there might as well only be two teams. This transfer might seem out of my jurisdiction perhaps being as he’s moving from Lyon to Sunny Spain, but this transfer actually is really dissapointing from a Premier League perspective.
Benzema of course has been courted by Sir Alex Ferguson since that Champions League game when he announced himself to the rest of the world. So why the hell is he signing for Real Madrid, while Man United are only signing – with the greatest respect – Antonio Valencia?
I find it rather dispiriting that with all those Ronaldo millions currently sitting in an Old Trafford bank account, they aren’t prepared to buy someone obviously full of quality as Karim.
Perhaps I’m being unfair. Perhaps they were in for Benzema, and the player chose Madrid. But this is hardly an uplifting alternative. Have the tides of power switched to Spain again? It would seem so. The current exodus of World Class players to Spain, is something that seemingly, even Manchester City’s billions can’t stop.
While I don’t follow any particular Prem team, Obviously my job here is much more interesting if the Premier League has a claim to being the best league in the world. But the way things are going, the Champions League final is going to be an inevitable Real Vs Barca match.
Far be it for me to write of Sir Alex, Arsene, Carlo, Rafa or anyone else though. Maybe they have a plan. But this summer seems to be moving at 100mph, especially compared to last year. Are there going to be any truly world class players left by the time The Big Four get around to acting?
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Category: Manchester United
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Comments | Add your comment
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Benzema has wanted to play for Real Madrid since he was a little lad. He spoke of this desire several times to the press. He first mentioned four years ago when he had just broken into Lyon’s first team (although he got his first start under Le Guen the previous year) under Gerrard Houllier and was scoring with ease. I dont think Manchester United could have done much here, the player wanted to go to Madrid.
Football is cyclical. Man U had their moment in the sun, not its someone elses turn. I am sure Man U will get back up to the top with some impressive signings of their own though.
Posted from
United States
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First, the money isnt sitting in ManU bank account… its sitting in the bank accounts of one of their creditors
arsenal is the only team I think that could compete… and thats still 2 years down the road
Posted from
United States -
I had heard of Benzema’s Real wish and would really not like to have signed him if that was the 100% truth. If Man United had signed him this year, 4-5 years later we might have Cristiano Ronaldo all over again.
I think English players’ dearth of talent is really starting to come to the fore and Man United are the main losers. Only English players dream of playing for Man United and the best English players, let’s be honest, are not as good as the best European players.
Posted from
Thailand -
I know football is cylincal, its just a bit depressing all these big names going to spain instead of here, thats all. Its no biggie.
Posted from
United States -
The sad truth is that even with all the money that the top English teams have Spain and even Italy to an extent is again becoming a more attractive prospect. Real are obviously spending very very big this year but the contract being offered by them could be matched by the likes of Man Utd, Man City and Chelsea but the players are not interested. Would you rather play a game in the pouring rain in miserable Birmingham or play pretty much anywhere in Spain?
Posted from
United States -
ha ha there no longer is a “big four” i believe arsenal will be missing out on champions league football for next season due to the rise of man city although i dare to dream that man u might miss out and be unable to balance their books, can anyone say leeds united
Posted from
United States -
Now THATS wishful thinking.
Posted from
United States -
Michael Owen? *rests case*
Posted from
United States -
Football is cyclical. Man U had their moment in the sun, not its someone elses turn.
Someone not named Real.
Aha…just beware the resurgence of Serie A.Rob, do you support a non-Prem (but English league system) team? If not, how did you end up following the EPL?
Posted from
United States -
Yeah I support League One’s (Third tier) Bristol Rovers. They were my local team growing up.
Posted from
United States -
The times aren’t changing that much. ManUre just poached another 16 year old from Italy…
Posted from
United States -
the premier league is losing its pull, and fast. its quite sad really, i do believe it has something to do with the proposed 50% tax for the rich. oh well, hopefully the economy gets well soon so they can forget about that proposal.
Posted from
Brunei Darussalam -
When is theoffside going to change the ‘premier league’ teams. I’m sure Wolves, Birmingham and Burnley are eager to replace Newcastle, Middlesborough and West Brom on the Premier League pages!
Posted from
United States -
Drabrik…I’ve heard it’ll be done this week.
Fingers crossed!!
Posted from
United States -
FIFA is where its at nowadays Rob, pro evolution is old news…konami is arcade, EA simulator.
The premier should be more interesting this year, after their golden moment, now many stars are switching to la liga and apparently at a lower price bid than some british clubs. Barcelona’s outstanding performance has led Real to plan this big bang revolution but i’m still waiting to see other teams come close, Atletico is near and improving but they just haven’t assembled an A team yet.
Now that CR has left man u, liverpool looks like the best contender to win this year, Rafa should have a large smirk grin on his face, as long as Xabi Alonso stays, Real are coming closer to an ideal price. Like someone pointed before, football relies on cycles and man u may have met their threshold barrier that only leads downwards. The legacy of giggs, scholes, van der saar, and ferdinand was impressive and CR is the rest, all the new signings seem quite off and valencia, owen don’t seem to be the ones that will lead fergie’s men out of the storm. Chelsea should look a bit better and liverpool is intact..man u without CR and Tevez shouldn’t look too good. I’ve argued with many red devils over the years that CR was the clear reason of man u’s success and now it should be interesting to see where the team is headed without him.
Meryside fans should be happy, rafa is a good coach and he’s done a good job keeping his boys home. Enjoy the season.
Posted from
Spain -
Just as United has rebuilt and retooled in the past (after Becks, RVN and all the other high-profile names), loosing CR7 will be no different. The Devils will have a different formation and playing style structured by the genius that is Sir Alex. Fergie’s signings have shown his intentions. He wants concentrated team play, dedication to the whole, and perhaps a resurrected 4-4-2. This coming season may not be as fruitful in the silverware department as the past two, but United are by no means loosing the plot.
However, the EPL as whole has a lot of soul searching to do. When nearly every prolific player wants to ply their trade in either Spain or Italy, clearly the times are changing. While it may not make for great tabloid stories, the lack of marquee signings could spell wonderful chances for young, developing English players.
Posted from
United States
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