It was as difficult before for big players to come in. It's just that, since the Internet became a huge cooking pot for transfer rumours, many more transfer rumours have been generated, with some becoming more believable than others. Then there's Twitter, which also creates more transfer rumours, and you have many people believing we are after many big players when we actually haven't gone for them. Take the case of Sneijder. Many people thought we almost had him, including those from within the club. However, Sir Alex never went in for him, and he revealed that last summer when things started to boil over.

I seem to remember people saying such things when we didn't get Shearer or Gascoigne, or when we didn't get Ronaldinho. When we lost Ruud and only got Carrick, people said the same things. This happens every time. Nothing special, nothing to be concerned about.

What I do find worrying is the selective memory around here. People remember the ones missed but not the ones obtained.

Finally, about Sir Alex not treating players well, that is not true. He's always made sure that players are treated to the best of their ability and to the best of the club. He would never go so far as to put favourable treatments over the detriment of the club. With Stam, Sir Alex wanted to make sure his authority wasn't undermined. With Ruud, Sir Alex wanted to make sure that Ruud wasn't bigger than the club. With Tevez, it was the same thing. And similar things go for other players Sir Alex had to push out.

In the end, people will continue to undermine this club as long as it exists. That's the nature of a big club, I guess.

It might be tough because money plays a big part in today's game & there are many big spending clubs.

akulaII:

How about favouritism and unfairness. We were paying Wes Brown £50K after 10 years of service whereas Rooney , Ronaldo and other *** players were 200+ K. We only recently increase Vidic pay to 90k. Secondly, SAF treatment of some players has been shambolic of late. Start with berba, then Tevez, then think Rossi, Beckham, RvN..... It is not surprising that certain type of players don't want to play for us. that said, we have others who want to come and play. Giggs and Scholes are still here because they are disciplined. Then we have Valencia and the like who are through professionals. Overall, I think our structure needs to be fairer. If Rooney is on over 200k then Nani will certainly ask for 150k at least, it is a no brainer really

I have to agree with this. The treatment of players you mentioned hardly makes us an attractive club. And then you look at debt issues with our club, the current tax rates in England off wages, you have to think about rooneys statement last year and as a footballer you would be asking yourself some serious questions. The truth is spain seems to be the most attractive destination for the top players these days.

Maybe the OP should tweet Paul Gascoigne and Alan Shearer to ask them why they chose Tottenham and Newcastle respectively in the 90s ! its hardly a new phenomonon is it ? Note United are now linked with RVP ! likely story, no doubt when he signs for City the media will be more interested in why he snubbed us LMAO

Was it easy in the past? I mean we hear about players that rejected United back in the 90's. I guess we would have to ask SAF it is more difficult or less difficult to sign players now. Of course there always is hte issue of there being other clubs in the world that players would like to play for. Some of it is that with the internet and twitter now rumours spread so quickly and people believe them all or at least alot of them so it looks like more players are rejecting us then actually are.

Regardless of money United's reputation doesn't seem good enough for most top players now anymore.. I bet they look at us and think Wayne is the only world class player so they don't consider us a huge team so aren't attracted that way otherwise it's greed.

Good post mate, I heard we won't even be able to field a 1st team this season.

ronan99:

akulaII:

How about favouritism and unfairness. We were paying Wes Brown £50K after 10 years of service whereas Rooney , Ronaldo and other *** players were 200+ K. We only recently increase Vidic pay to 90k. Secondly, SAF treatment of some players has been shambolic of late. Start with berba, then Tevez, then think Rossi, Beckham, RvN..... It is not surprising that certain type of players don't want to play for us. that said, we have others who want to come and play. Giggs and Scholes are still here because they are disciplined. Then we have Valencia and the like who are through professionals. Overall, I think our structure needs to be fairer. If Rooney is on over 200k then Nani will certainly ask for 150k at least, it is a no brainer really

I agree i think fergies ego gets in the way at times and he has fallen out with our biggest stars..keane,beckham,stam. also saying he wouldn't sell a virus to real madrid even though he has sold 3 of our most influential players ever to that club.

Yes Rooney and Ronaldo earned more than Wes Brown but im sure Wes brown didnt sell as many shirts as the latter two so the financial reward was better for the club in that respect. I mean how many times have you seen the name Brown on the back of a shirt ahead of say Rooney and Ronaldo. These are global superstars where as Wes Brown was just a natural good defender who was always injured. So for that point your argument is void

akulaII:

How about favouritism and unfairness. We were paying Wes Brown £50K after 10 years of service whereas Rooney , Ronaldo and other *** players were 200+ K. We only recently increase Vidic pay to 90k. Secondly, SAF treatment of some players has been shambolic of late. Start with berba, then Tevez, then think Rossi, Beckham, RvN..... It is not surprising that certain type of players don't want to play for us. that said, we have others who want to come and play. Giggs and Scholes are still here because they are disciplined. Then we have Valencia and the like who are through professionals. Overall, I think our structure needs to be fairer. If Rooney is on over 200k then Nani will certainly ask for 150k at least, it is a no brainer really

I agree i think fergies ego gets in the way at times and he has fallen out with our biggest stars..keane,beckham,stam. also saying he wouldn't sell a virus to real madrid even though he has sold 3 of our most influential players ever to that club.

with the money united make from fans world wide..an estimated 1 billion fan base..i find it hard to understand how we don't have the money to get the players we want..in modern football unfortunately its buy or die.

Football is all about money and unfortunately there are 4 clubs that can outspend us.

its simple the F.u.c.k.i.n.g Glazers r the problem they just wont spend big on top players!

media is driving you as they want ... up & down, left & right and obviously you believe in everything you read

just to remind you

and there can be only 25

May rumours

Arriving

Bryan Oviedo (FC Copenhagen)

Seydou Keita (Barcelona)

Papiss Cisse (Newcastle)

Adam Johnson (Man City)

Luka Modric (Tottenham)

Marco Fabian (Chivas)

Kevin-Prince Boateng (AC Milan)

David Alaba (Bayern Munich)

Mohamed Diame (Wigan)

Mats Hummels (Bor.Dortmund)

Robert Lewandowski (Bor.Dortmund)

Moussa Dembele (Fulham)

Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese)

Robin van Persie (Arsenal)

Jan Vertonghen (Ajax)

Leighton Baines (Everton)

Luuk de Jong (FC Twente)

Nick Powell (Crewe)

Eden Hazard (Lille)

James Rodriguez (Porto)

Gerard Pique (Barcelona)

Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao)

Shinji Kagawa (Bor.Dortmund)

June rumours

Arriving

Alexandre Pato (AC Milan)

Juan Arango (Monchengladbach)

Jetro Willems (PSV Eindhoven)

Bocar Djumo (Inter Milan)

Daniele De Rossi (Roma)

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke)

James Rodriguez (Porto)

Gareth Bale (Tottenham)

Kyriakos Papadopoulos (Schalke)

Thiago Alcantara (Barcelona)

Dede (Vasco da Gama)

Axel Witsel (Benfica)

Kevin Strootman (PSV Eindhoven)

Robert Lewandowski (Bor.Dortmund) Danilo Cataldi (Lazio)

Angelo Henriquez (U. de Chile)

Viktor Fischer (Ajax)

Yohann Cabaye (Newcastle)

Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese)

Hector Herrera (Pachuca)

Cheick Tiote (Newcastle)

Leighton Baines (Everton)

Luka Modric (Tottenham)

Moussa Dembele (Fulham)

Claudio Marchisio (Juventus)

July rumours

Arriving

Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle)

Demba Ba (Newcastle)

Fernando Llorente (Athletic Club)

Axel Witsel (Benfica)

Luke Shaw (Southampton)

Julio Cesar (Inter Milan)

Joao Moutinho (Porto)

Mats Hummels (Bor.Dortmund)

Leighton Baines (Everton)

Luka Modric (Tottenham)

How about favouritism and unfairness. We were paying Wes Brown £50K after 10 years of service whereas Rooney , Ronaldo and other *** players were 200+ K. We only recently increase Vidic pay to 90k. Secondly, SAF treatment of some players has been shambolic of late. Start with berba, then Tevez, then think Rossi, Beckham, RvN..... It is not surprising that certain type of players don't want to play for us. that said, we have others who want to come and play. Giggs and Scholes are still here because they are disciplined. Then we have Valencia and the like who are through professionals. Overall, I think our structure needs to be fairer. If Rooney is on over 200k then Nani will certainly ask for 150k at least, it is a no brainer really

Considering we are supposed to be the "2nd best team in Manchester" now, and only lost out in the league by goal difference, Manchester United are still the most famous club worldwide and in recent years, we have been written off, faced up to various challenges from Arsnil Chelski and this year that lot of mercenaries over Gorton way but still we prevail to conquer these challenges. We won't win the league EVERY year but we have always been the team everyone wants to beat. Citeh are Champions and are years behind us in history and achievement but the hard bit will be them maintaining it whilst keeping all the egos in check and we all know who is the greatest manager at doing that. Citeh don't have a SAF, they have a tempremental Italian in charge and with players like Nasri & Balotelli in the squad, are just a tantrum away from destabilising the next title challenge.We can attract some players, the ones that WANT to play for us, admittedly money does come into it but some of the money grabbing mercenaries that only think of money, not the history & tradtion of the club are not the players we really want and won't form an affinity with .Players like Messi, Scholes and Giggsy are true greats not only for their talent but the humble respect and loyalty to the club they play for.