I have been an ardent reader of these message boards though I hardly contribute through the medium of posts and threads. There are always plenty of threads on here about the players the fans wants to sign, on overtaking Barcelona, the disappointments in Europe & improving the squad, which are legitimate concerns. It is pretty evident that United is not the force it once was and the success we have had since the Glazers took over is solely due to Sir Alex Ferguson.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but very little is going to change this summer in terms of the “transfer policy”. Sir Alex’s hands have been restricted by the debt the Glazers have buried the club under and for the near future most of our revenues are going to be used to service that debt. Since July 2009 the club has paid £120m in Interests and has spent another £92.8m in buying back the bonds. Compared to this they only spent around £25m on capital expenditure and another £90m on transfers. (These figures are post the Ronaldo sale and do not include the money from his transfer).
As per the latest financial statements released by the club we have a cash balance of £50.9m and a gross debt of £439m. With the Glazers planning to float part of their holdings in the stock exchange they need to present a healthy balance sheet with less debt. The revenues for the year are going to decrease due to the early exit from the Champions League, all the more reasons for the Glazers to use this money to reduce more debt using this money in the bank. The extra sum to boost the revenues will be by selling players including the players already sold in January.
Sir Alex will be made to spout the same *** about no value in the market. We spent money last term and this will be a slow summer for United. The only signing we are going (or have already made) to make is Nat Clyne and. We play about 60 games in a season and I am certain this is the way they see it.
GK: DeGea(40)/Lindegaard(15)/Amos(5)
RB: Rafael(20)/Clyne(20)/Jones(20)
CB: (120 games, 2 players): Evans(30)/ Smalling(30)/ Vidic(30)/Ferdinand(20)/Jones(10)
LB: Evra(45)/Fabio(10), Evans+Reserves LB (5)
RW: Nani (25)/Valencia(25)/ Young+Park(10)
CM: (120 games): Carrick (40)/Scholes(20)/Giggs(20)/Pogba(20)/Cleverley(20)/Anderson+Park(20)
LW: Young(35)/Nani(10)/Giggs+Welbeck+Park(15)
SS: Rooney (45)/Giggs(5)/Others(10)
Striker: Welbeck(30)/Hernandez(25)/Academy(5)
The only players I can see leaving the club will be Berbatov (Sold), Owen (Released), Kuszczak (Free), Macheda (Sold), Bebe(sold) and some academy players. With the money already received from the sales of Diouf, Ravel Morrison, Danny Drinkwater, Darron Gibson we are looking at a sum of around £20m which will boost the revenues. This will also help keep the wage bill in check which showed a sign of increase in the last financial statement.
Park will not be sold due to the revenues and the fan interest he helps generate in Asia.
Keeping us competitive works for the Glazers and winning trophies is a bonus, not a priority for them. As long as we qualify for the Champions league each season and do not distance with the top teams in Europe it is fine by them and fits perfectly in their plans. They are not here to make us the best team in the world they are here to milk the cash cow that is Manchester United.
The only hope in the next few years we have of our team going the distance in Europe is that the likes of Anderson and Nani can finally fulfill their potential; Anderson, Cleverley and the twins can stay fit and develop; DeGea, Smalling, Jones and Hernandez continue with their ascendancy; Our academy keeps throwing the Pogba’s and the Fryers’, who we can keep at the club. Which mind you are not long shots and entirely possible. Lot of if’s and but’s though totally fathomable with some luck and Sir Alex in-charge.
Long Live Sir Alex! Long Live United!