Fergie's thanks to Silvestre

August 21, 2008

SIR Alex Ferguson has thanked Mikael Silvestre for his nine years of service to Manchester United after the defender completed a move to Arsenal.

Speaking after Silvestre had completed the formalities of his move Ferguson said: "Mikael was a great servant and a wonderful professional. We wish him all the best at his new club and thank him for his service."

Silvestre - who has 40 caps for France - had fallen down the pecking order at United with Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand becoming Sir Alex Ferguson's first-choice partnership at the heart of the defence.

Wes Brown and John O'Shea can also provide cover in the centre and have recently agreed new deals at the club while Patrice Evra has made the left-back spot his own.

And with his contract set to expire in 2009, Ferguson has allowed Silvestre - who is the first player to leave United for Arsenal since Brian Kidd 34 years ago - to join one of their major Barclays Premier League rivals.

Now Silvestre is looking forward to a new and unexpected phase in his career.

"I've spent a large part of my career at United, the last nine years, and I'll remember that time fondly but feel I'm ready for a new challenge," said the Frenchman, who has been handed the number 18 shirt.

"Arsenal are known for playing technical and skilful football, and have a young but experienced squad.

"I'm really excited about this next stage of my career, hopefully playing my part in helping the club to new successes."

What is surprising though is the fact Wenger has handed Silvestre, who has a recent history of injury problems, a two-year contract.

It represents a change in policy for the Arsenal boss, who has previously been reluctant to offer players over 30 - including the likes of Robert Pires, Jens Lehmann and Dennis Bergkamp - anything more than a one-year deal.

Ferguson signed Silvestre from Inter Milan in 1999 after he began his career with Rennes, who he left for the San Siro in 1998.

Silvestre enjoyed considerable success with the Red Devils and won four Premier League titles, an FA Cup winner's medal and a League Cup winner's medal in his 361 appearances with the club.

But his final season at United was hampered by a knee injury sustained against Everton in September 2007, which restricted him to only six competitive appearances.

Wenger has pointed to Silvestre's experience and versatility as two main factors behind his decision to sign the player for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £750,000.

The 31-year-old, who missed a large part of last season with knee ligament damage, has agreed a two-year deal at the Emirates Stadium.

With his contract set to expire next season, Silvestre had been linked with a move to Bordeaux and Manchester City during the summer but he has opted to move to north London.

Although the Gunners have undoubted quality throughout their young team, they are short on experience - something Silvestre can offer.

Wenger said: "We have a strong squad but a young squad and Mikael's versatility, experience and calibre will provide the extra depth we need to reinforce our challenge for honours this season.

"His defensive adaptability will serve us well and it's a big plus that Mikael has top-level experience and a great understanding of football in the Premier League."

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seasider, blackpool (21/08/2008 at 09:21)

Great way to undermine your rival's title bid - sell them Mr Bean to play in defence.

Neil Mcnab's Moustache, manchester (21/08/2008 at 09:23)

Phew that was a close one!

tooth&claw, manchester (21/08/2008 at 09:27)

A good move for all concerned, although we are now lacking competition in defence.

It's another sign of Arsenal's financial problems though. Sell a young defender and buy a replacement for a quarter of the price.

It also tells you all you need to know about Wenger. Sell a talented English defender, who had been starved of games at Arsenal, and buy a Frenchman.

tooth&claw, manchester (21/08/2008 at 09:28)

A good thing with Silvestre going to the Emirates is that they'll give away significantly more penalties this season.

moorz, Dublin (21/08/2008 at 09:32)

Always used to cringe when Silvestre got on the ball, big liability and never really rated him. Although anyone that pops up with a couple of goals against the scousers can't be that bad!

Alias Smith, over the moon (21/08/2008 at 09:36)

seasider, good one! Actually, I can only assume that this is an indication of how little Fergie thinks of Arsenal's chances. After all, Heinze would have got his move to the Scousers over SAF's dead body.

galwayred73, Ireland. (21/08/2008 at 09:43)

Why do we continue to let players go for absolutely knock down prices? Becks, ruud, beans and now silvestre. Fair enough this move wont send shockwaves through the club and he is 31 but I do think we could have screwed at least a couple of million outa them considering the crazy prices being paid for below average players these days. Especially when other clubs seem to enjoy squeezin every last million out of us for players.

edinburgh red, edinburgh (21/08/2008 at 09:47)

Id rather have had a fit silvestre covering lb and central than o'shea,prone to the odd lapses but was a decent player for us, suprised we sold to arsenal,surely sunderland would have paid us more

edinburgh red, edinburgh (21/08/2008 at 09:48)

Oh and obviously in this transfer I cant wish him luck,unless he injures fabregras etc in training,yeh maybe he's a trogan horse

Roy (21/08/2008 at 09:55)

Im glad SAF has not blocked the deal - the guy always sees good those that he feels are loyal.

But why 0.75m?

Utd may save 50k a week on wages but surely the guy is worth more than that. Utd need to sell 40 Silvestres to pay for Berbatov.

40 sil

Lord Ruud (21/08/2008 at 10:03)

I agree with you Edinburgh Red.

This deal makes little sense and must be motivated by getting him off the wage bill. He provides good cover at left back, where his concentration lapses weren't so costly and is a decent stand-in at centre back. When Rio was banned, he even played pretty well there in his absence. It also strengthens Arsenal despite what a few snipers on here say, as he is good aerially and will provide them with solid cover.

We certainly look light on experience in defensive cover now. Everytime Vidic, Evra or Ferdinand goes down now, we'll all be holding our breath. Could this move mean that Fergie has a lot of faith in the Brazilian twins?

A Manc and blue (21/08/2008 at 10:04)

Close, Thought he was coming to Manchester!!

neal 07, south stand lower (21/08/2008 at 10:05)

i wish him all the best and thank him for his time at Utd..

but i would prefer him to still be here, as opposed to the great oaf that is John O'Shea, he is shite!!!

perhaps this is a sign that SAF will be giving young Fabio more games as cover to Patrice..

then again who knows, maybe the godson Fletcherino can play left back!!!lol!!

redross, Warrington (21/08/2008 at 10:08)

Does this mean Evra is going to play every game of this season? Who is our cover for left back? O'Shea? in my eyes is not a full back, Evans? maybe, he has played there before but not his best position or Fabio de Silva? inexperienced! And what's going on with signing a Striker? Its all gone very quiet. I really don't think we have a strong enough squad to compete on all fronts this season. Get Berbatov signed before we drop more points!!! I will not wish Silvestre Good Luck because I hope Arsenal have a s**t season but thanks for your service.

Teresa20, Norwich (21/08/2008 at 10:15)

Good luck to Mikael, unfortunately he has been moved down the pecking order at United by some fantastic new players over the last couple of years, but he can still performe at the top level and will bring Arsenal some much needed experience.

danny, WILMSLOW (21/08/2008 at 10:16)

Fergie seems to be getting left in the wake of Chelseas new buys,looks like they will get Robinio.United million of fans around the world must be wondering,how many years will they have to Watch the likes of Giggs WHO IS TO SLOW AND VAN DER SAH WHO CAN,T CLEAR A BALL.Keep out bright young talent.
How many times have I seen Brown make the same mistake for United as he made for England.

OK Balders (21/08/2008 at 10:21)

i'm going to get wasted this weekend !! lol ... it's a celebration.

Regular scribes on here will know my utter despair over the years at cacahuète tête.

Yes, he's been a good servant to the club but i reckon even berties/dippers (most deffo) and chavs would be for £50k per week ffs !!

The bottom line is that he simply wasn't a Man Utd player. When folk respond with "well Wenger must think he's quality" - my reponse is - "so you'd accept Senderos in a utd shirt then?"

NO, exactly 'cos he's even worse !!!

Only good at passing wind, can't trap a bag of cement, dithers on the ball with it never under control, gets tangled up with opposition legs so allowing others to clean up, was always agressive and intimidated a bloke called Henry AND is very fast ........

christ, old rubber face could have bought my dog then for half the fee!!!

"taxi ! to the emirates before it's too late"

good luck MS!

george (21/08/2008 at 10:22)

Silvestre was great at left back in his early UNITED career.I still think because of his strength he was our best left back cover,but time moves on.Sad to see him go.Less antagonistic to SAF than Heinze so he's got his wish.

Elihud, Tanzania (21/08/2008 at 10:26)

Thanks silvestre 4 ur service,all the best at emirates

United Through and Through, Manchester (21/08/2008 at 10:28)

Silvestre is an excellent player, and Arsenal have a bargain. Its a shame he hasn't stayed for the rest of his career. We look very short in defence now, and to be honest the whole squad looks pretty small. We're fast getting left behind in the transfer department. Looks like Chelsea will sign both Robinho and Fabio Paim of Sporting in the next couple of days. They have 2 world class players for every position. We made the mistake of not strengthening after the trebble season, and it cost us dear. Now its going to happen again. We need signings, and not just one!

Andy Bergen, Bergen, Norway (21/08/2008 at 10:30)

Have to agree with Edinburgh Red. Why didn't we sell to Sunderland?

We're getting approx 3 m in transfer fee and reduced wages, but suddenly we're left with Neville/Brown, O'Shea and Evans as the three most experienced defensive covers. Not too reassuring when you aim to play 60 matches + internationals this season. And strenghtening the arse?

We should have refused to sell to arsenal or city, and told him he'd only go if the deal was right for United.

Quite puzzled and disappointed over this deal.....

At least the fat f*** at the FA got the boot last night.

kubanpete (21/08/2008 at 10:39)

Good luck to mikael, lets not forget that he chose UTD over the Dippers when he moved from the San Siro. It is a surprise though, as he was a good defender that could play in any position across the back 4, now we have to rely on that peice of sh*t O'Shite, who should have been sold to Rochdale or some club like that long ago. And Fergie where's the signings ? get a striker bought.

bobbydazzler (21/08/2008 at 10:39)

danny wilmslow methinks you are not a red. if you were you would have seen wes put in fantastic performances all last season he was an integral part of the best defensive unit i have seen at united in my 45 seasons.

Shaz Leicester (21/08/2008 at 10:40)

The future lies with Evans and Brazilian twins. Evans was outstanding according to newspaper reports. OafShea only stays because he can cover LB /RB/ CB and CM - though only if half our squad has been shot down with viral meningitis! Will be interesting to see how he gets on at the Arse. Good luck Tweety!

Jack Thorley Trafford, Timperley (21/08/2008 at 10:41)

I think that the fee is low because Silvestre was due a testimonial next year which would have been worth £1million pounds to him.Arsenal would probably have paid him a signing on fee of about £2million.Wenger has probably bought him to put pressure on Gallas who had an 'iffy' season last year.
It could also be that the Fergie has ben told he must reduce the wage bill if he wants to bring in Berbatov.

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