We are going off topic here, but age is an interesting discussion to have, so lets do it.
If a club buys a player who is 29, assuming that the player looks after himself, at this age, he should be at his absolute peak. This means that he will perform at the top of his abilities. This is a good thing, not a bad thing.
And it is reasonable to assume that the player will stay with us for the next 3 years at least. So, during the years of 29-32, we effectively get a player who is performing at his absolute best.
Buying a player when he is at his absolute peak, depending on the transfer fee, should be seen as a good thing. Remember when Madrid started buying Galacticos? They were buying players at their peak. When they bought Figo and Luis Ronaldo, neither were youngsters. I believe CR7 was one of the youngest Galacticos.
So, now, lets talk about buying a young player, say age 21. He is nowhere near his peak and has a lot of learning to do. So you buy the 21 year old player, probably pay a big transfer fee (eg. Martial) and the player at that young age is not to be relied upon, despite paying big money. In 5 or so years, that player could deliver and be relied upon, but wait: what if that young prospect never becomes a great player? All that money. All those wages...for little return?
All of a sudden, that 29 year old player who was at his absolute peak, ready to make instant impact, an almost "sure thing", seems like a good buy. Right?
Many MUFC fans will use the example of Rooney and Ronaldo. These fans needs to realise that a young combination like that (both doing well, at the same club) come along once in a generation...if you are VERY lucky.
Most of the time, the most winningest clubs in the World tend to stick with a balance of players in their absolute prime and a few youngsters who can learn from the big names and may (or may not) become the next big names of the team, after the current crop of older players are moved on.
Fans need to ask themselves: are you willing to take that risk, hoping that a 20 year old becomes the next big thing. Or would you rather spend the money on a player who is at his peak and is doing the business at his current club, so almost guarantees that he will hit the ground running when he joins our club?
Personally: I am desperate for us to win the league and as such, I can't wait 5 years for youngsters to develop. The longer we go without winning the title, I think the more difficult it will be for us to win the title again (much like LFC or AFC). Winning the league essentially becomes a habit. With this in mind, I want to see us win the title this season, which means we need to buy experienced players in their prime...something which Jose is actually pretty good at.
