United's summer transfer business was red-hot when it came to the swiftness of the process – but it was met with a distinctly cool welcome.
In the space of 16 days in June, while Sir Alex Ferguson was on holiday in the South of France, Old Trafford chief executive David Gill was whistling through the formalities of wrapping up three purchases.
The groundwork had been done and it was a matter of rapidly concluding a club record summer spend of just over £50m.
While the rest of the Premier League and Europe were contemplating their revamps, the champions’ facelift was done and dusted.
But the biggest-ever close season expenditure left a lot of United fans unfulfilled.
A triple swoop for Phil Jones, Ashley Young and David de Gea was not met with the excitement and anticipation a freshening-up exercise usually generates among the support. The £16m acquisition of Jones from Blackburn Rovers was greeted with sage nods of approval from those who had seen snippets of the teenager’s talent at Ewood.
But the centre of defence was not an area that appeared to need surgery. Rio Ferdinand and captain Nemanja Vidic had a few ailments last term, but the partnership was recognised the soundest in Europe.
Impressive
Back-up was provided by Chris Smalling, impressive in his debut season, and Jonny Evans.
Another centre-half did not seem a priority and Jones was viewed by Old Trafford fans as one to be used selectively during the course of his debut campaign.
The search for Edwin van der Sar’s successor was long and when it came down to Fergie snapping up a 20-year-old, non-English speaking Spaniard as his chosen one, it raised a few eyebrows.
A young Premier League newcomer did not seem the ideal fit to wear the gloves of a 40-year-old been there, done it and got the T-shirt keeper like the Dutchman.
The spectre of another post-Peter Schmeichel era loomed ominously in some eyes.
Then there was the import of £16m Ashley Young from Aston Villa. Yes, the 26-year-old was growing into a danger man for England, but United had Nani and Antonio Valencia. Was another winger really going to make that much of a difference to the champions?
All in all, there was a distinct air of indifference to Fergie’s shopping list. It didn’t exactly catch the imagination.
But the United manager can now look back on the summer of 2011 with huge satisfaction.
His newcomers are winning the support of the fans and sceptics are having to concede the canny Reds boss has pulled some more rabbits from the hat.
Far from being one for the future, Jones has become a young man of the moment.
Injuries to Ferdinand and Vidic may have prised the door ajar more quickly than he could have anticipated, but the 19-year-old has raised questions as to whether or not the experienced Anglo-Serb axis has a sustainable future as United’s backbone after all.
He has been likened by veteran Reds watchers to having the physique, command and versatility of the great Duncan Edwards – and that kind of accolade has rarely been bestowed on anyone.
De Gea didn’t initially quell the murmurs that he was too young and fragile to cope with the no-holds-barred bruising English game.
A dodgy start in the Community Shield, then at West Brom, focused the spotlight keenly on the former Atletico Madrid No 1.
But De Gea was ready to take the criticism on his shoulders.
Asked whether he was bothered by the bad press he was getting he replied: “No, it seems normal to me. When you do things wrong, even though it’s a couple of mistakes, the press has every right to criticise you, especially when you’re a goalkeeper, who is always under the spotlight. What happened is something normal and no big deal. Now it’s in my hands to change those early negative criticisms into praise.”
It was a brave response and he was as good as his word as he grew in stature. A penalty save against Arsenal and some impressive shot-stopping has stifled the detractors.
Young’s impact on the Reds’ left wing has brought vibrancy back to United’s style and lifted the tempo.
He might not have been high on United fans’ wanted list but they wouldn’t want to be without him now. Three goals and an eye-catching rapport with Wayne Rooney have seen him settle comfortably and impressively into a red shirt.
The June flourish that was met with indifference, could prove to be one of the most successful spells of transfer activity in Fergie’s 25 years at the club.
What do you think? Have your say.
Stuart Mathieson: Manchester United fans who doubted Ferguson's summer buys have had to think again
October 05, 2011
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Matty....what have you become?
(shakes head in bewilderment)
I have to admit that Young has been much better than I thought he would be and we look far better balanced and threatening with him down the left and Nani down the right (I still think that Nani is 20 to 30% less effective playing down the left). Young has given us another option at set pieces which we desperately needed because we have been woeful in that area since Ronny left.
Jones hasn't been too much of a surprise given all the plaudits he earned last year but he definitely needs to stifle his attacking urges at times!
I will go against the grain here and say that I have been least impressed with De Gea, while his shot stopping has been fantastic at times he still looks very dodgy on crosses and his flailing, desperate dive at the ball when [can't remember who] tried to lob De Gea from his own half would have been pure comedy had it not looked like it might go in! However, that is not to say that De Gea won't develop into a fine keeper for us; he is still very young and learning but seems to have all the potential so good luck to him.
Blimey getting a bit misty eyed arent we....only 7 games in ? clutching at straws methinks. lets replay this story at xmas when de gea is dropped, smalling and jones are on the bench.
Same with england - jones was rubbish in the U21 tournament at centre back, was chasing shadows against the danes, czechs and spanish.
like rodwell, chamberlain etc....potential yes but nothing more than that.
Still could have done with a nice creative player in the centre like Nasri, Modric, Marin. And before people say Sneijder, look at Inters record this season!!
Other than that, Anderson looked good next to Cleverly, shame he got injured as he looked good also. Jones looks immense going forward, few lapses at the back but defender mature with age and he is still a kid, young looks the real deal, never made the heights i expected when he first joined Villa but catching up on that now, De Gea slowly coming into his own, by next season he'll have a bit of weight on him and will command that area. All in all it's looking quite good, player of the year for me so far, Danny Welbeck, looking good this year!!
I was very happy with all 3 of the signings and all are looking good however like a lot of fans would have liked to see CM overhauled, Gibson and one of Park,Fletcher and Carrick should have been shown the door and 2 quality midfielders brought in, just look at the performances since Tom has been injured woeful, been very lucky in many games so far but will atke the luck and the points we really could have lost but to be challenging for the CL our CM is just not at the standard required, however we will fight for the league title and hopefully get there but the CL is beyond us I would be happy with a semi final place this year and then hopefully next year he does something about CM
Fact is the Club have not addressed their real weakness which is the centre of midfield. Cleverley for all his promise remains unproven, Anderson goes from bad to worse, Carrick is incapable of passing a ball fprward and Fletcher whilst sound does not provide that spark that is needed.
the lad jones may well prove to be one of sir alex's greatest ever buys imo he will go on to to match and surpass rio's career at united.
the glaring omission from the summer buys was at least 2 very very good central midfield players . we did'nt get the dutchman but there are many players worldwide who are far better than what we already have. it should have been sorted.
I don't thing any Utd fan really doubted the value of the three major summer signings, so there is no rethinking to be done. Utd fans, instead, desparately reiterated the need for a holding midfielder, someone to do the Roy Keane (or Paul Ince) job and, on this issue, it is SAF who has some rethinking to do, because, even though we are at the top of the PL table, the last few games have clearly exposed this problem to such an extent that opposing teams have begun to exploit it; some say that Jones can fill the job, but he was bought for the defence where he is most wanted given the physical conditions of Rio Ferdinand and the Da Silva twins. I don't think that Cleverly fits the role either. In other words, if we solve the midfield problem, we create, maybe, a bigger one for the defence. Carrick has miserably failed when called on, Fletcher is very inconsistent and let's not talk about Anderson in this role otherwise .....There is obviously, still a missing link there between the center line and our GK so somebody has to do something about it.
I,ll tell you what a lot of united fans think Stuart,......Jones is great, De Gea will be great, and not sure on young,...he has started well, true, but the dippers and city next, the jury is out.
What is most important is this midfield scenario,...TC is a great player and the sooner he,s back the better.
Anderson has good games, but more bad games.
carrick, fletcher, park,.......quite simply, not good enough.
I cannot believe, in a million years that SAF is happy with any one of these 4 to partner TC and take on the best in europe.
But lets wait and see (january window), happy days.
Why i think the fans were indifferent to the summer signings is because they were wondering why we needed another winger?When most of the summer we were expecting to sign a top midfielder ,dare i mention the S player who i might add your paper was guilty of keeping alive and when we eventually did not fill the position which we really needed ,that is why the indifferent response occured .The signings of Jones ,De GEA were needed
7 matches doth not a season make! However, the signs are very positive and we could certainly be in for a very successful and entertaining season if the early promise continues and we can keep the key players fit. Well done SAF for the excellent signings and for bringing through Welbeck and Cleverley.
United has made the best signings so far at an affordable price. Long live UNITED.
We'll soon see when we face Barca. Norwich battered us and so did Basel and Chelsea. I'm dreading City. We're way off the mark proper Utd fans want to see. Don't be fooled by the 8-2 thrashing of Arsenal. We need a midfield and a centre forward.
And all together they cost less than Tevez. (If you believe that 25 million fee quoted 2 years ago, you're dafter than Tevez looks!)
good signings, yes, but our central midfield area is still severely lacking. Since Cleverleys injury, Anderson has been overun in the centre, playing with Carrick/Fletcher. Still think we need an additional midfielder, unless long term Jones is seen as that player, he certainly has potential and looks comfortable on the ball going forwards
They have proved to be good signings, yes, but I still think we are a player short in central midfield. I'd like to see Jones move into the middle alongside Anderson/Cleverley once our defensive injury problems are sorted.
I have always liked ashely young and at times he was better then Nani , his assit level is immense and his ability to beat players is imortant it's his mentailty which iswhats in question he needs to be a big game player , if he can go up another level or Two then we would have a real star on are hands ,i think ferigie has already said he wanted him before he went to villa but he missed out. As for Jones i noticed his class last season. The keaper we just have to get behind he has to develop and change his game he needs to be more aggresive and dominite in the box.
we are crying out for a decent midffeild it is as simple as that with flecther sick and anderson inconsistant we are very light. Carrick has class but i think he has lost confidence pace and looks like we might never see the potential he once showed. cleverly is good but very untested.
Erm...what about the midfield? Blatantly obvious it's the weakest area of the team.
Very early days yet, but, the new signings are bedding in nicely. A few small teething problems by the goalkeeper perhaps, but its very early days and no one can make judgements in October. Hope they keep progressing anyway...see you in May....
I dont agree with the article at all. Last year United won the league and got to the CL final where they were outclassed. They needed signings to bridge that gulf in class. None of the summer buys have done that.
I never doubted the players we bought i did and always will doubt the midfielders we have who bar Cleverly are nowhere near good enough to challenge europes elite
Carrick is about 8th choice 4 england and cant get in their squad yet is good enough fos the worlds biggest team who can have any nationality.
Anderson hasnt performed even after gettin game after game
Fletcher is average at best only looks decent playing with awful midfielders
its no surprise our midfield has lost the plot from cleverlys injury and who is the only midfielder we have who can press opposition, pass quick and put killer balls through to our forwards
Were by no means the finished article and are even further behind barca with them buyin sanchez and cesc. Between January and the summer we need at least 1 top class midfielder
P.s
I Think carrick and Berbatov must go and i would also sell rio too who done and no worth his 120k a week
Bale to offer options on both wings and leftback and gotze would be my 2 signings
Stuart...for me it was never about who we bought in, Young, Jones and Smalling, which were all good buys, its more about who else we failed to bring in especially in midfield that concerned me and still does. We need a quality creative midfielder and someone who can offer more steel and better passing than currently available in our squad Carrick, Gibson, Ando and Flecther.
I think the United groundsmen should paint some arrows on the pitch.
The arrows should only point forward, not to the side, or backwards.
The coach should then take Michael Carrick onto the pitch and tell him it's ok to pass the ball forward as indicated by the arrows...
As for the new signings. I am very happy with them. Jones looks like he has a great future, perhaps he could solve our midfield weakness !!
Phil Jones and Ashley Young have had a tremendous start for United...like them both very much and look forward to seeing them get even better
De Gea?....jury´s still out on that one I´m afraid...at the moment I have more faith in Lindegard...
Although there has been the odd poor signing (Djemba twins?), in the main SAF and his team have done an excellent job, refreshing the side and it is no fluke that SAF has built three or four great sides in his reign here. There are lots of posters here talkignabout the midfield - well, guys, we did everything but sign a dutch player. In the end, for some reason (personal terms, transfer fee, rainy Manchester climate maybe?), it didn't happen. I'm sure the club was right not to settle for second best and try to sign numbers (like Arsenal did), just for the sake of it. I suspect that SAF would have preferred extra help in midfield and that he is already planning his next signing. It's pretty obvious that the Young + de Gea deals were planned ages before the transfer deadline and that the Jones signing was forced onto the club earlier than they would have liked because he came onto the market. All have already proven their worth and look likely to be with United for years to come. I'm willing to applaud the United management for, yet again, showing they have a clear plan to ensure our competitiveness.