My Thoughts On the Glazers And Potential Sale Of Manchester United

Sporting franchise owner Malcolm Glazer crossed the Atlantic 9 years ago to make investment in the English game and went for the biggest football team in the world, he landed for himself a sporting cash cow, Manchester United. In the wake of the transaction that saw his family business become the largest shareholding entity in Old Trafford he also threw a hitherto healthy club into heavy debts of over 700M GBP. He heralded an influx of American businessmen going to make investment in the EPL as Liverpool and Aston Villa got taken over by George Gillet & Tom Hicks; and Randy Learner respectively.

The coming of the Glazers was not welcomed by so many Manchester United fans worldwide mainly because a club of Manchester United’s status should not go that way of massive debt, well that notion we share too till the introduction of the Financial Fair Play rule (FFP).

The Glazers are smart business men as evidenced from their successes in sporting franchise over the years and that fact makes it almost impossible for them to allow Manchester United get drowned in debt and eventual demise. No, not the Glazers with their business acumen Manchester United will probably not ever be debt free as long as they remain owners and that is for good financial reasons. However, Manchester United will most likely not run foul of the FFP because simply put ‘smart business men don’t spend money they don’t earn’ and that is what they represent. Under the Glaziers Manchester United has spent just enough to remain competitive, what we would like to refer to as prudence at its best. The cash cow must not die approach to doing business.

The club is estimated to have approximately 10% of the World’s population as its fans and that is definitely an enormous target market. The Glaziers need to remain in United for longevity of the club and should ignore short term success or worst sell to another Glazier like mind business men. With the advent of the oil rich tycoon in the EPL there was huge expectation in some section of Manchester United faithfuls who want the club to be bought over by oil tycoons. That in itself might bring on field success but net profitability of the club might also dwindle as evidenced by clubs being run by oil tycoons in Europe .

The Glazers has done well for Manchester United and should naturally continue we think or return the club back to the people through the stock market.

Why United Must Buy Luke Shaw

Not a lot of teenagers grace the Mundial , the few that have done have gone on to have exceptional careers. Micheal Owen, Samuel Eto’o Fils and the great Pele are just some of this rare breed of youngsters. This year in faraway Brazil another youngster in the person of Luke Shaw will join the exclusive group of talents to play at the world cup. At 19,Shaw the Southampton player and Man United target will be lacing his boots to represent England at the once in four years football competition.

To think that Roy Hodgson of England has chosen to put his faith in a 19 yrs old as against the highly experienced and talented Ashley Cole says a lot about this wonder kid from Southampton. Little wonder Manchester United is in the forefront of signing the young lad to share left wingback duties with Patrice Evra. How good is Shaw and why does United want him?

Luke Shaw was voted in the EPL team of the year playing for mid-table team Southampton in a league that boasts of Kolarov (Man City), Cole (Chelsea), Evra ( Man United) and even the highly rated Baines (Everton). Being the best left wing back in the country says a lot about his abilities as a teenager. On the other hand United is still adjusting to life after SAF a situation that has forced management to bring in the great Dutch tactician in Loius Van Gaal. The most important of the Van Gaal agenda is to rebuild the team and that is where signing of Luke Shaw has become paramount.

Evra has an additional year to go at old Trafford and with the possible arrival of Shaw at the beginning of next season will allow a seamless exchange of baton at the wing back position. He is a perfect fit to eventually replace Evra. He is English, has played in the EPL means he would not suffer a culture shock and adaptation to the pace of the EPL and more importantly by the time the 2014/2015 EPL season kicks off in August he would have had the wonderful experience of playing at the highest level being the World Cup and with so many years of football still left in him.

The deal to bring Shaw to United is still being kept under wrap but rumour has it that Shaw has been shopping for a house around the Manchester end of the country.

On paper the young man represents value for money and who knows he could just go on to eclipse the great Dennis Irwin as United finest left wingback of the past 50 years.

Written By Tega Ogaga

5 Likely Replacements for Nemanja Vidic

Replacing a player like Nemanja Vidic is no easy undertaking. Alongside former dutch international Jaap Stam, Vidic represents one of the finest two Centre defender to play in the Ferguson era. The Serbian defence stalwart has seen it all at Manchester United winning a host of trophies and rightly after 8 successful years need to move on, age has beckoned on him and he has lost a yard or two.

 Top 5 likely replacements.

Mats Hummels; 25 year old German international from the Westfallenstadion represents Van Gaal major interest in the heart of United’s defence, a seasoned international Champions league finalist and Bundesliga winner. Hummels is considered a very top player in his position and he has shown that over and over again in the course of the past season and the German national team. Getting Borussia Dortmund to do a deal on him might be a hard nut as he’s under contract till 2017. However, if United wants to get this man a deal needs to be done before the commencement of the World cup in Brazil as his central defence partnership with Jerome Boateng might just incite Bayern Munich to get into the mix and if Bayern do not get into the mix, a good show at the world cup may just hike up his price tag further.

Mehdi Benatia; Arguably Roma’s player of the season, the French born Moroccan international has finally emerged as one of the best defenders in the world, with career experience of the French and now Italian league Benatia has everything United next defence stalwart - big, strong and quick. An European style player but with African grit, though at 27 years he might not represent the far future United requires but he can deliver in the short term under Van Gaal who has just 3 seasons to spend with United assuming his contract will not be renewed thats ). And we also believe he won’t need a lot of convincing to move camp to Old Trafford.

Ezequiel Garay; Argentine Garay was purported to be highly regarded by former United manager David Moyes. After a highly successful league winning season with Benfica, Garay has become the toast of a number of clubs. Putting in two excellent performances in two Europa league finals and not winning might just be the best scenario to snatch this Argentine stallion. But Like Mehdi at 27 he has not more than 5 years or 6 at most at that level of athleticism in him. Having Garay line up with a younger Hummels would be a dream pair.

 Bruno Martins Indi; The little known Dutch international is highly regarded by United’s manager who of course is the Oranje manager to the world cup. At 22 years he represents a bargain and long term player that United can get up 6 to 7 seasons from and still get a salvage value on him. If Oranje do well at the world cup this man’s value might hit the roof.

Eliaquim Mangala;   The French international is the one player United might find difficult to attract, with United’s neighbour City and Chelsea having already shown interest, signing the high rated Frenchman will not be an easy task for United especially as we will not be in Europe next season. Mangala alongside Indi are the new generation central defenders, a replica of Marcel Desaily in style but still have brushing up to reproduce the Desaily finesse. 22 years and plays for FC Porto

My Expectation From Louis Van Gaal In His First Season

One time champions league winner, 3 times finalist, league winner in Holland (Ajax and AZ Akmaar), Spain (Barcelona) and Germany (Bayern Munich) that is a short brief of some of the major achievements of  the man Louis Van Gaal, the man saddled with the responsibility of taking United back to the top.

United poor seventh place finish in the 2013/14 EPL  season and absence from Europe next season necessitated United management  to go outside of the U.K ( for the first time) to hire an experienced top class man. The question that begs is what can he do in his first season to bring United back unto their glorious path?

The rebuilding process must begin in earnest with expected players’ exodus that has seen Giggs retire, Vidic to Inter, Ferdinand out of contract and possibly transfer of two of the following Cleverly, Young, Fellaini, Valencia and perhaps Nani.  Van Gaal will be expected in his first season to bring in players across every area of the team, 2 central defenders, 2 midfielders and at least one attacker cum striker. The mission will be to get the team to play as a unit, qualify for Europe and compete for the 3 local titles and possibly winning one. Whilst Van Gaal on paper looks the perfect fit for the job, it won’t be an easy task convincing top quality players to transfer to a non Europe playing team and that is one of the area the charm and status of both club and manager comes to play. Man Utd is arguable the biggest club in the world , Van Gaal represent the face of Europe top managers and together with  the right  paycheque  that problem could be easily over come.

As learnt from the Liverpool experience, being away for two long as a title contender only makes the job more difficult, Van Gaal is expected to go for it even in his very first season. This might represent perhaps his toughest assignment till date but the man has shown a capability of building great side on the strength of young players as seen in his past. And truly there are no much better options in Europe that can be trusted with this task as at now other than Van Gaal.

Manchester United Fans Must Give Louis van Gaal Time

Having finished seventh on the table in the just concluded season, Manchester United fans will no doubt want to return to winning ways once again. Manchester United fans are already used to winning trophies, but they must give new manager van Gaal time to rebuild the team.

As a Manchester United fan, one of the most painful experiences I went through last season was watching teams like City and Liverpool beat us at Old Trafford. Those defeats home and away were low moments in my many years of supporting the team, and that was why I celebrated the sacking of David Moyes. To me, it is not time to drop ones' season ticket, I am prepared to renew my own season ticket and I advise all United fans that will keep the faith toBuy tickets to see Manchester United here. Our money can only help the club more.

Now that a new manager has been appointed in the person of current Dutch national team boss Louis van Gaal, it is important that he be given time to rebuild the team. Personally, I think the manager should be given healthy transfer funds to buy key players. As we saw in the case of Tottenham Hotspurs last season, new signings take time to blend. AVB was given the boot midway into the season because his team was doing poorly, but his sacking the change much or did it?

While a lot of fans would argue that Manchester United are different from Tottenham and are used to winning trophies, it is vital to state how important it is to give the new manager time to succeed. Louis van Gaal has one of the best CVs in club football, and should not be pressured. His football philosophy is without doubt one that will benefit the team. He is disciplined, frank, and hardworking, and will need time to instill his footballing philosophy into the team. 

His impressive achievements over the years include winning the Champions League trophy in 1995 after guiding a young team like Ajax to beat AC Milan, winning the Dutch league title with AZ Alkmaar, winning two La Liga titles with Barcelona, and taking Bayern Munich to both the German title and the Champions League Final in 2010.

For van Gaal, it is not a question of experience and pedigree, but rather it is about giving him all the time and support he needs to return the team to where we belong.

Robin Van Persie Warns Teammates Of Louis Van Gaal

Manchester United fans have been warned to be ready for some serious football business as new manager, Louis van Gaal is not one to mess with.

The warning was issued by no other person than former Arsenal striker and captain, Robin van Persie. The former Arsenal man warned that both van Gaal and his backroom staff are ‘continuously on top.’

“The technical staff is continuously on top, not only during training, but also in the hotel. Or if we come together for a discussion.

“It’s a different kind of approach than I was used to from previous coaches. But I like it very much. Very direct, but to get better. And I do not find it tiring, I just get the energy.”

The current Netherlands manager whose appointment as Manchester United manager was confirmed almost a week ago is expected to resume work immediately after the World Cup. His appointment has been hailed by many football enthusiasts who see him as the right man for the job.

However, his managerial style is what will likely give a lot of people thought for concern as players like Rooney and the likes need to sit up if they hope to be in the manager’s good books. To further corroborate what van Persie said about his national team manager, former Ajax player Ronald De Boer had this to say:

"He's very strict," De Boer, who played under Van Gaal for club and country, De Boer told BBC Radio 5 live.

"When I was young, I was scared of him and feared him a bit."

Speaking in the same vein, current Derby manager, Steve McClaren who also worked as a coach in Holland said:

"He is very forthright, he knows what he wants, he knows what he is doing and he is very disciplined."

“You either love him or you hate him in Holland, he is one of those characters, but he is successful, he gets teams winning and he is experienced at that level."

Louis van Gaal is without a doubt one of the best managers in the world. He has an enviable CV, having won the league titles in Germany, Spain, and his home country Netherlands.

Make Ryan Giggs The Permanent Manager - Sir Alex Ferguson

Former Manchester United‘s boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Ryan Giggs should be given United’s top job on a permanent basis.

The 4 – 0 thumping of Norwich was a very good start for Giggs tenure at Old Trafford. Though the first half was rather slow, the defending champions came back after the break with determination and verve that was typical of them.

Given United’s superlative display last weekend, there surely would be calls in some quarters to give him the job in full time capacity. And Ferguson has thrown his massive weight behind Giggs as he said;

”I think he [Giggs] is the one man they should go to really”

“He’s got 20-odd years of experience at Manchesteer United. I signed him as a kid at 13 years of age. He’s gone through the gamut of emotions at the club – he’s experienced all the highs and lows. He knows exactly what’s needed to be a Manchester United’s player and I am so pleased as he brought Paul Scholes back in, and Nicky Butt of course – two great professionals”

“They understand the club, they are hard workers, they are straight as a die. So you have got the right combinations there, there’s no doubt about that. “

Ferguson handpicked former Everton boss David Moyes to succeed him as he thought the Scot shared a lot of characteristics with him and thought he would do just as well at Old Trafford but he was hugely disappointed.

While I’m happy that we’re back to winning ways ( I honestly wished it’s been likely this for most part of the season), can we actually afford to take another huge gamble with Giggs? Twenty years of experience as a player is not the same thing as two years experience as a coach. Gigs sure knows how United works like no other person, but should that be all the reason we should commit a club as big as United into his hands?

Ferguson gave us false hopes when he brought in Moyes. Now he’s backing Giggs. I will take any recommendations coming from him with a pinch of salt. We’ve learnt our lessons the very hard way.

I would like to see a world class coach as boss of the Red Devils while Giggs understudies him as assistant coach. Wouldn’t it just be good to see someone from our own Class of 92 on the manager’s bench?

Anyway, from all indication, we will not be in Europe next season but if rumours are anything to go by, it will be an interesting time for all United fans in the transfer market. We reportedly have 150 million to spend and I expect it to be well spent. To show my believe in the board, I am buy to buy my season ticket early this year and encourage you to do same. Click here to buy football tickets on via 1st4footballtickets.com website. If the summer doesn't turn out the way you want and would like to trade your season ticket, you can Buy and sell football tickets for all matches on footballtickettrade.com. You got nothing to lose really.