RedCafe.net Editorial: The state of the United nation

Niall

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<a href="https://www.redcafe.net/2002-03/editorial.php3?id=76" target="_blank">The state of the United nation</a>
With the new season fast approaching, the question on everyone’s lips is does Manchester United’s star studded squad have the strength in depth to bring silverware back to Old Trafford? With the likes of Johnsen, Irwin and Yorke being shown the door, and only Rio Ferdinand coming in to bolster the team, Mark Bain questions whether Alex Ferguson has enough talent at his disposal to make it a season to remember...
 
Originally posted by Niall:
<strong><a href="https://www.redcafe.net/2002-03/editorial.php3?id=76" target="_blank">The state of the United nation</a></strong><hr></blockquote>Excellent article and I couldn't agree more with it, especially this...
All this makes it reasonable to assume United will not be bringing in new players until a place in the Champions League group stages is secured.<hr></blockquote>I'd been thinking that for a while now because the money generated from CL participation is the major difference. That's why Nike have an out clause in their sponsorship contract because they know, without the prestige of the CL, their brand won't get the preferred exposure.

Who is Mark Bain, markpud?
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Very good article but it's hard to believe that Kenyon won't give anymore money to fergie in case we don't qualify for the CL. If that is the case it's an extraordinary lack of faith in the team. Maybe it's businessmen not wanting to take any financial risks in case the unthinkable happens. The problem is that most transfers nowadays take place in the off season, so by the time we qualify there is the risk that one or two of our targets may have been snapped up by other clubs or persuaded to renew their contracts with their existing ones. A strange game to be playing when most are agreed that we need a couple more top quality players now if this forthcoming season is to be a success.
 
Originally posted by Julian Denny:
<strong>Very good article but it's hard to believe that Kenyon won't give anymore money to fergie in case we don't qualify for the CL. If that is the case it's an extraordinary lack of faith in the team. Maybe it's businessmen not wanting to take any financial risks in case the unthinkable happens. The problem is that most transfers nowadays take place in the off season, so by the time we qualify there is the risk that one or two of our targets may have been snapped up by other clubs or persuaded to renew their contracts with their existing ones. A strange game to be playing when most are agreed that we need a couple more top quality players now if this forthcoming season is to be a success.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Not disagreeing with you at all. But from what I understand (and if I say any more I guess I'll be shot at by some in here who don't take kindly to people posting what 'they know') someone has already been lined up to join United. The problem is Champions League football means a lot to a certain type of player. If United don't make it through (and being early season there is always a chance, however small) then United just are not as an appealing a proposition for those who want to play in the top matches. There's also the fact that Champions League football guarantees big money. Should - and it's a very BIG should - United fail to get through then the money would not be forthcoming. Any business knows you don't spend what you haven't yet got. That's foolish (look at Lazio, Leeds Utd). If United want a player - and they're into the group stages of the Champions league, they will go and get him. Simple as that.
Once again I run the risk of looking foolish, but I'm just telling you what I've heard and that's it.
And as for targets being snapped up by other clubs while United 'wait'. Well, which other clubs have the money and appeal of United? Kenyon and Ferguson both said recently that the fact the transfer market was so slow this summer has given them more time to work on their targets. We'll have to wait and see...
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Originally posted by the reporter:
<strong>

And as for targets being snapped up by other clubs while United 'wait'. Well, which other clubs have the money and appeal of United? Kenyon and Ferguson both said recently that the fact the transfer market was so slow this summer has given them more time to work on their targets. We'll have to wait and see...</strong><hr></blockquote>

You make some good points but I still believe that clubs will obviously try and tie up their leading players now before the season starts - take Duff and Gudjohnsen for example. That's not to say those two are in fact targets but they are examples of players who may well be unavailable once we've qualified. Rio didn't seem to worry about whether or not we'd qualify. Something doesn't add up here. Quite simply, Kenyon needs to ask Fergie if he's completely happy with the squad he's got and if not he should provide the necessary funds. They may need to go out on a limb here but if the right people are brought in we will reap the rewards.
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Originally posted by Julian Denny:
<strong>
Quite simply, Kenyon needs to ask Fergie if he's completely happy with the squad he's got and if not he should provide the necessary funds. They may need to go out on a limb here but if the right people are brought in we will reap the rewards.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I wish they'd just get on with things aswell - but sometimes it can take weeks to tie up a transfer deal (especially where United are concerned!) I'd much prefer it if they were to just go out their, buy the player they want and get it over with. Unfortunately, football is in such a poor financial state that they may prove unwilling to do it as soon as supporters would like. But there is, as always, much more going on behind the scenes at United than we'll ever know. That goes without saying.
I'd send you a PM if I could...
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&gt; Very good article but it's hard to believe
&gt; that Kenyon won't give anymore money to fergie
&gt; in case we don't qualify for the CL.

It's very believable - the Plc has to match costs with revenues. Costs have been rising fast these last few years, revenues could suffer a massive fall without Champions League qualification. The Plc can't prudently take that risk with shareholder's funds, especially in the current footie climate.

It's not as if our current squad isn't good enough to get through the prelim stages. Fergie himself has muttered about the key transfer deadline being the end of August, which implies there might be something to come after qualification is assured.

If we *don't* qualify, then the shit seriously hits the fan - would United be prepared to invest what it would take to ensure a top 2 finish next season - serious, serious money? It's a big question.
 
In my view we have a very good squad for this season, midfield with Giggs, Scholes, Keane, Becks, Butt, and (maybe Veron) are the best in Premiership, and without serious injury like last season or (weak mentality - Veron)we will be the best.
 
Originally posted by tomi:
<strong>In my view we have a very good squad for this season, midfield with Giggs, Scholes, Keane, Becks, Butt, and (maybe Veron) are the best in Premiership, and without serious injury like last season or (weak mentality - Veron)we will be the best.</strong><hr></blockquote>

There's always the risk of injuries - and this year with the new transfer windows we can't afford to be caught short...
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If we are looking for two defenders maybe one of them should be a good quality keeper, One that doesn't get caught out of position an much as Barthez, one that doesn't try to "dribble" the ball out of trouble when he is caught out of possition due to his own mistakes and poor judgement. And while we are at it if Chelsea need the cash I would love to see Sir Alex make an offer for Gudjohnsen.
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Larryk:

a)What's wrong with Roy Carroll?

b)We don't need another keeper.
 
Originally posted by nickm:
<strong>&gt; Very good article but it's hard to believe
&gt; that Kenyon won't give anymore money to fergie
&gt; in case we don't qualify for the CL.

It's very believable - the Plc has to match costs with revenues. Costs have been rising fast these last few years, revenues could suffer a massive fall without Champions League qualification. The Plc can't prudently take that risk with shareholder's funds, especially in the current footie climate.

It's not as if our current squad isn't good enough to get through the prelim stages. Fergie himself has muttered about the key transfer deadline being the end of August, which implies there might be something to come after qualification is assured.

If we *don't* qualify, then the shit seriously hits the fan - would United be prepared to invest what it would take to ensure a top 2 finish next season - serious, serious money? It's a big question.</strong><hr></blockquote>

You're right of course. I can imagine Kenyon saying to Fergie. Look we have a big squad, we've renewed all the top player's contracts on substantially increased wages, we've signed Rio, and basically we can't afford anymore high profile expensive new faces at the moment, at least until we qualify when we will get more income. Now you're in charge of the playing personnel, if you're not happy with Barthez, Neville, Silvestre or whoever, then sell them and we'll see about making funds available for replacements. We can't keep on adding to the squad and increasing the wage burden. I suppose in reply, Fergie says he's happy with what he has and will review the situation again once we qualify. End of conversation.
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I've been thinking this also.

There are two things that will enable us to get a new player and thats the sale of Dwight and confirmed CL revenue next year. CL brings in millions per year depending on how you do, I think we usually make about £5 million by reaching the quaters/semi's - thats an unofficial figure though. A confirmed few extra million in the bank may be able to get us that player we want (go on Mark - tell us who you think we're getting, we all love these rumours really)

Plus whoever this player is has probably decided to wait and see if Utd will be playing CL football next year cos this is like the biggest attraction for players.
No CL football this year = no wanna join this year.

People who say Crespo is too similar, think about this, we're not looking for a partner for Ruud, we're looking for another option. When Ruud is out our team loses all its attackig presence, Ole and Forlan are too lightweight, you see that everytime Ruud is off. They are supplementary strikers whilst Ruud is a target man. Another target man could play WITH Ruud but also allow us to play WITHOUT Ruud.

Owen and Heskey play great together. But two Heskeys would cause much more damage than two Owen's who would probably disappear.
 
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