Fans look at a world class player and hope for game changing moments that can turn a loss into a draw or a draw into a win. Fans dream of that moment where a corner can be turned, and a club can rise to prominence.
One moment in particular stands out during the semi recent past, and that is the win against Juventus in the Champions League during the 98/99 season. Trailing 2-0 (3-1 on aggregate), Roy Keane muscled his way through the penalty area to head in a corner that set United on course for one of the greatest comebacks against arguably one of the best sides in world football at that time.
So where did Roy Keane come from? Was he a transfer based on ability, or a transfer based on talent? Talent is defined as a person possessing such aptitude or skill, whereas ability is defined as the talent that enables someone to achieve a great deal.
Roy Keane arrived at Manchester United as a great talent; a footballer who had to fulfil his talent in order to be considered a player of great ability. That is what United are about. United buy players based on what they could become (talent), rather than what they have become. Yes, United pay great sums for these talented players. The fees for Ronaldo (£13m) and Wayne Rooney (£30m) are a testament to that, but the underlying fact of the matter is that United mainly focus on the development of world stars, rather than the purchase of them.
Those game changing moments, or club defining moments that we live for, have come from players who United have developed into stars of modern football. Moments such as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dramatic winner against Bayern Munich, Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal in the champions league final, Steve Bruce’s injury time winner vs Sheffield Wednesday and Paul Scholes’ wonder strike against Barcelona.
As a United fan, I take no greater pleasure than seeing a youngster breaking into the first team, either through the reserves or by way of working hard after being brought in during a transfer window. It gives us that warm feeling to know that they are one of our own and that we, as a club, have been a part in creating a player that the world can relish watching.
One of those players is Cristiano Ronaldo. A player once called a “one trick pony” rose to the top of the world in front of our eyes. Even though I may not like the way he left, I still take great pride in knowing that he truly became the player he is because of Manchester United.
So is this overwhelming cry for a world class player merited? Do United need a player of such calibre that would command such a high fee; who could possibly never reach the heights he reached at his previous employer?
On the odd occasion that United have purchased a world star, things haven’t quite worked out. Players such as Dimitar Berbatov and Seba Veron moved to United for huge transfer fees and with great expectations that were never truly met. These were players of class that could grace any team in the world, yet they could not find their feet at United.
With the current pursuit of Luka Modric seeming to be a never ending story, can we see him being a player who would suit United? Can he be the player who we cry out for, or is he just another Trojan horse?
United cannot afford another gamble on a world class player, as the depth of our financial disability restricts our transfer movements. Some have made jokes that we could offer magic beans in return for Modric. It’s a light hearted joke, but as funny as it is, it’s the sad truth with United’s financial problems.
Also, can United find a world class player that suits their style of play? Veron was asked to play an unfamiliar role for United. As seen, he never truly adapted and was subsequently sold to Chelsea. It’s not about buying a player, more about buying someone who can easily buy into the United way of football.
This shows the risk involved in trying to acquire a star. They have the ability to play in their designated area of expertise, but will find it tough to adjust to any new style of play, as we’ve seen with Dimitar Berbatov. Berbatov was unbelievable at Tottenham, but when asked to play at a higher tempo, he looked as if he was a deer gazing into the headlights of an oncoming truck. Add in the pressure of a huge transfer fee, over the top wages, and the fickle nature of fans, and you have a recipe for disaster.
So we need to look at the facts. United have a record as a production line, in terms of producing youth, and have also found it tough to integrate high profile signings into the first team. Do we go with the road less travelled, or do we go with what we know, and what has served the club well over its history?
I for one would love another young player to come through the system and be another beacon of light in the current Manchester United team. The question is whether or not we have the patience to allow a player to develop, or are we going for the quick fix that could backfire?
By: Natanael Pillay (Follow me on Twitter)
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