The Manchester United Production Line

Mr. MUJAC

Manchester United Youth Historian
Joined
Sep 19, 2005
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Walter Crickmer started it all...
Interesting article on the value of the Manchester United Academy in both saving United money on big signings but also in obtaining revenue from the sale of players who fail to make the grade at the club.

The article doesn't cover the sell on values that our players have benefitted other clubs.

David Platt and Robbie Savage at Crewe for example.

http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/espnfcunited/id/8870?&cc=5739
 
great read

I like this part the most:

United take in large numbers of youngsters, lured by the club's standing and status as well as the promise that, unlike at Chelsea, there is a path to the first team for the most promising and the likelihood of a good career elsewhere if they do not make it.
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I rember SAF saying that the hardest part of his job was to tell the father and youg player himself that the club will release him...SAF was also very quick in fixing a club for a young lad....
 
I recall some time a few years ago there was something on BBC about the amount of ex United player playing around the leagues - it was amazing how many actually stay in football at a decent level.
 
For those interested...there are currently over 100 current of former United players playing professionally around the world with a dozen others out of contract...Ebanks-Blake for example.

It's a big number!
 
We're definitely very successful at developing lads with the heads screwed on right, and with an excellent footballing education. I'm not too sure about the assertion from Bollingbroke that we now see the academy as a revenue generator however. That smacks of a meat factory to me and I don't like it.
 
backofthenet said:
We're definitely very successful at developing lads with the heads screwed on right, and with an excellent footballing education. I'm not too sure about the assertion from Bollingbroke that we now see the academy as a revenue generator however. That smacks of a meat factory to me and I don't like it.
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If its seen as that now I dont think it was, we have a track record of not bargaining that heavily on these signings, in order to do right by the player and give them opportunities. Even recently, looking at the price for Mats Daehli, he wanted football and we didnt price him out of it, let him go for very low for a player who was and still is very highly rated
 
loki said:
If its seen as that now I dont think it was, we have a track record of not bargaining that heavily on these signings, in order to do right by the player and give them opportunities. Even recently, looking at the price for Mats Daehli, he wanted football and we didnt price him out of it, let him go for very low for a player who was and still is very highly rated
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I'm not sure if it the case now but I worry that it may be in the future. I expect that things will continue on as they pretty much are at the moment, but if the clubs circumstances change for whatever reason and money becomes an issue, for example, the concern would be that the boys themselves would be forgotten and they may be regarded as an asset, rather than a person.

I hope with all my soul that this is not the case, but just that one statement put me on edge, thats all.
 
loki said:
If its seen as that now I dont think it was, we have a track record of not bargaining that heavily on these signings, in order to do right by the player and give them opportunities. Even recently, looking at the price for Mats Daehli, he wanted football and we didnt price him out of it, let him go for very low for a player who was and still is very highly rated
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Agreed, that's always the impression that I've got, particularly from Fergie who often talked about getting the best for the lads first and foremost. I'm pleased about that too, revenue should never be a concern for the academy. We earn more through a few sponsorship deals than we could ever get from academy sales anyway.
 
Said Tunnicliffe, Lingard and Will Keane will likely be sold? Not sure if I agree. Tunnicliffe probably, Lingard will at least get a shot especially with his pre season performances, continued showings for u21 and being talked up by all and sundry whilst no one can say what will happen with Keane until he gets back
 
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