Steven Defour

Cristiano_RAFC

Full Member
Joined
May 6, 2007
Messages
2,134
Location
Antwerp, Belgium
I thought I'd share this with you lot...

Belgian press print Ferguson letter to target Defour

Belgian publication Het Laatste Nieuws claims that Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has personally written to Standard Liege captain Steven Defour to wish him a speedy recovery from a broken foot and sparked suggestions that the Red Devils are keen on signing the 21-year-old. The highly-rated midfielder, who is thought to be on the radar of both Arsenal, Everton and Real Madrid, is likely to miss several more weeks of action ruling him out of much of his team’s Champions League group stage games.

"Dear Steven, I heard about your injury," the letter supposedly reads. "You will probably be devastated at the moment and you'll have all kinds of questions. However, there is no reason to be concerned as everything will work out fine. You'll have to work hard to return to match action, but I'll keep on monitoring your situation. I will stay in touch with Standard Liege and I wish you a speedy recovery."

Defour is understood to have confirmed the receipt of the letter but stressed that it was sent to him via the club and not addressed personally.
Click to expand...


source
 
This has all the hallmarks of a Spoony wum.

Dear Sir Alex of the Ferguson,

I am feel much joy at you kind words. It mean much to have such a wonderful mister say such kind thing on me. I will love to play of the Manchester in season 10.

Many kiss,
Steven
 
Brophs said:
This has all the hallmarks of a Spoony wum.

Dear Sir Alex of the Ferguson,

I am feel much joy at you kind words. It mean much to have such a wonderful mister say such kind thing on me. I will love to play of the Manchester in season 10.

Many kiss,
Steven
Click to expand...

:lol: Would have been good for some African player who can't speak English.. as opposed to a Belgian.
 
Xander45 said:
If true (which it isn't), that would be one of the most blatent forms of tapping up i've ever seen.
Click to expand...

well it says that the letter...
"was sent to him via the club and not addressed personally"

So I see nothing wrong with that. If true.
 
vuc said:
:lol: Would have been good for some African player who can't speak English.. as opposed to a Belgian.
Click to expand...

:) To be fair, I wasn't suggesting he couldn't. I was just (lazily) parodying the sorts of wums that come out when we're linked with a foreign player a la Spoonygate .
 
Xander45 said:
If true (which it isn't), that would be one of the most blatent forms of tapping up i've ever seen.
Click to expand...

Why?

Firstly, it was, apparently, sent via the club.

Secondly, you have no way of know if United have been in contact with Standard over him - you do not know if Standard are officially aware of the interest from United. They could be fine with it. It is just a letter wishing him a speedy recovery. If Standard know of United interest in the lad, if the lad knows if United's interest - then there is no tapping up going on. Just some communication.
 
Eurosport reportingthe same with a bit more from the "letter"

Ferguson writes to injured defour

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has stepped up his interest in Steven Defour, sending the injured Standard Liege captain a letter reassuring him that he continues to monitor his progress.

Defour, who is under contract until 2013, was heavily linked with a move to a bigger club in the summer with Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City reportedly interested, while Everton had a £9million bid for the Belgium midfielder turned down. Any hope of a January transfer evaporated when the Belgium midfielder broke a bone in his foot last month but Ferguson is closely following his recovery.

The letter, which has been released to the media, reads: "Dear Steven, I have just heard about your injury and, in the name of Manchester United, I would like to wish you a full and speedy recovery. I am sure at the moment you must be feeling awful and that you'll have all kinds of questions.

"Steven, these are natural worries but I have to tell you that modern medicine and treatments are incredible, you have to have confidence in them. I'm going to follow your progress closely and I will remain in contact with your club to have news of your recovery."

Defour was delighted to receive Ferguson's letter but the 21-year-old was swift to point out that the Barclays Premier League club had done everything by the book and had sent it to his club to pass onto him.

"One thing I should like to highlight is that Ferguson has followed his interest officially," Defour told Het Laatste Nieuws. "He addressed the letter to Standard. I think the attention is great, but I do not want people think I am already at Manchester, which is no means the case. But if they come knocking, then I would obviously not cause problems."
 
Seems like a kinda patronizing letter though.

"but I have to tell you that modern medicine and treatments are incredible".

Cuz, Steve, you and your club are too poor and stupid to be fully aware of the power of modern medicine...

I dunno. find the wording of it a little funny.
 
There must be a deal lined up for him, which the injury puts in doubt and Ferguson is saying we are still interested so don't sweat it. We did the same with horseface.
 
I have no doubt that Sir Alex sent the letter to him, it is nice little gesture from our gaffer as well as to make sure the player will give us his preference. Nothing wrong about it really.

Defour seems to be a player with smart passes and eye for goals, of course that is judging from what I saw in YouTube ;)
 
"Feguson sends letter to Messi"

Dear Lionel, i was thinking recently that your hair has lost some of its lustre, try not to worry, modern hairdressing techniques in Europe are decades ahead of South America, and a good stylist will have your locks glowing again in no time. Luv, SAF.

PS, Have you ever tried Lou's chips? next time you're in Manchester look me up and I'll treat you to a bag.
 
Mitch Conor said:
Seems like a kinda patronizing letter though.

"but I have to tell you that modern medicine and treatments are incredible".

Cuz, Steve, you and your club are too poor and stupid to be fully aware of the power of modern medicine...

I dunno. find the wording of it a little funny.
Click to expand...

apparently he is currently being treated by leeches and eating nothing but onions
 
Am I the only one who thinks this is a strange thing to do? On top of it being a strange letter as well? I mean he only broke his foot and Fergie apparently wrote "I am sure at the moment you must be feeling awful and that you'll have all kinds of questions."

Just seems odd.
 
I read that as, we've been in contact with him/the club before and have told him we might be looking to bring him in at the end of the season or something, but now he's been injured perhaps he was worried that his chances of coming over had diminished. The letter would then be just to reassure him that the injury wont change anything with regards to our interest and we'll still be monitering his progress till the end of the season and then we'll make our decision.

Cant see any other way it all makes sense.
 
bookgrp3.jpg
 
The only thing I find odd is a letter through the post in this day and age. I mean, what's wrong with a quick email or phone message?
 
:lol: Doevle


I think Defour is overrated but he could at best develop into a decent Carrick-like central midfielder. Perhaps with a bit more physique and a bit less ambidextrousity.

this letter stuff is kinda odd too
 
From the Mail:

I don't like to boast about it, but I think the interest in me is terrific.

'I don't want people to think that I already believe myself to be a United player, as that is not the case. But if they make an approach for me, then of course I could easily imagine myself to be one.'
 
Dont know why people are doubting that this is true, both Van Nistelrooy and Hargreaves both claimed that the manager was one of the first on the phone when they both received major injuries prior to signing for United

But yes the more pressing question is what position does he play and is he any good?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.