Utd offer swayed Petrucci

June 14, 2008

ROMA teenager Davide Petrucci claims the offer of a job as a gardener for his father helped persuade him to leave Italy for United.

The 16-year-old is reportedly set to move to Old Trafford but the Italian club will receive only £200,000 in compensation for a player who scored 14 goals in 19 youth team matches last season.

"Going to play for the strongest club in the world is a great opportunity for me," said Petrucci.

"It was hard to say no, even though I am a Roma fan and would have gladly stayed with them throughout my career.

"United have offered my father Stefano a job as a gardener and he will accompany me.

"I will go over on June 30 and start in United's academy the next day."

The Italy Under-17 international added: "A month ago Roma offered me a contract on the minimum wage and they did not say how long it was for.

"I asked for a bit of time to consider it, as United's offer had already been made, but they gave me just three days.

"Roma closed the door on my while United opened another. They could have valued me more highly."

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joey (14/06/2008 at 14:41)

If only all transfers were this simple - Offer Kaka 95,000 a year and his wife a job as a hostess at one of the Trafford Suites ....... If only ....

Red Dawn (14/06/2008 at 16:48)

The groundsman job for his father wasn't the deal clincher, that is just ridiculous.

United offered him a financial package which a young lad of 16 just couldn't refuse, plus ofcourse the attraction of playing for the best team in Europe.

That's three promising youngsters signed (Rafael, Fabio and Petrucci), with the French lads (Helan and Situ) possible on their way too.

Johnny The Truthful One Smith (14/06/2008 at 16:58)

That is really good news as Red Dawn mentioned those youngsters, im really pleased and hopefully they can develop into good players as well that would be a nice young crop coming through and hopefully some british lads can make the grade too. Especially with this supposed Foreigner ruling coming back which by the way i hope never is sanctioned,at least not 6 players maybe 3 or 4 which i think would be more realistic

Red Dawn (14/06/2008 at 18:05)

By the way, supposedly, Quaresma is set to join us after Euro 2008. That's the word going around.

I personally think Quaresma is vastly overrated, but I'm open to him proving me wrong if he joins us.

Anyway, you heard it here first if it is true.

charbel (14/06/2008 at 18:16)

I think the 7-1 from last year is what swayed him.

Seriously, though, don't all these youngsters qualify already for the 6+5 since they will probably spend a few years in our youth programme? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Also, will Petrucci end up being another Rossi?

daniel (14/06/2008 at 19:22)

Red Dawn - Querasma is supposedly best mates with Ronaldo, so that would add another reason to the list of why he should stay; even though I'm sure he doesn't want to leave. Although the club wouldn't just sign RQ for just that reason, obviously.

joey (14/06/2008 at 19:57)

Charbel, you are correct in that such youngsters would eventually be classed as homegrown. About him turning into another Rossi, I wouldn't mind it, would be a brilliant investment buying him for 200k and selling for 7m, very good business.

And about Quaresma, no way that's happening, we don't need him, and no way we'd spend the £20m+ Porto are asking for.

RedDerby (14/06/2008 at 22:26)

Intelligent, talented and ambitious youngsters like Petrucci go to OT. Average and confused ones like Ramsey go everywhere.

george (14/06/2008 at 23:57)

Charbel;why be serious when you can be that amusing.
Answer;he'll end up being another Petrucci!

MG, Canada (15/06/2008 at 03:50)

Quaresma, although talented, is an extremely selfish player. He hasn't realised yet that his game will become more effective if he thinks pass first.

Stretford Born Blue, Brooklands (15/06/2008 at 07:38)

Offered his dad a gardners job??!! your club will go to some lengths, were's the garden.., at Fergie's house!!!!!!!!!

mick the red fireman, middleton (15/06/2008 at 12:14)

Stretford Born Blue, Brooklands. Does'nt matter where the garden is its smelling of roses unlike your place.

bobbyc, manchester (15/06/2008 at 16:11)

I would be more concerned about Shinguards proposed changing of the city badge if I was Bertie Brooklands Blue!I have some suggestions for the badge .A submarine instead of the Ship to represent the number of times city have sunk to a lower division? Instead of 3 stars (what are they for anyway?)a load of stars to represent all the past managers.Mind you they would have to have a very big shirt!A dustbin rampant on a rent book to represent the Council House?Lots of ideas ,and food for thought to all the berties intruding on the double winners site!

AS, Ipswich (15/06/2008 at 18:41)

I dont fancy Quaresma so far as he looks more of a player who wants to play on his own term which is why he failed on his spells in Spain.
We need a striker as i dont think CR will leave this summer.

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