Ferguson is a Smooth Operator Indeed

Whilst reading the news on ESPN Soccernet today, I realised something interesting. David Beckham was a home-grown Manchester United player who was sold to Real Madrid for US$41 million and, at the time, I thought it was quite a gamble to sell the team's talisman and star performer. However, I realise now that Christiano Ronaldo was bought just as Beckham left and was duly given the no. 7 jersey (i.e. direct replacement?) immediately as well.

Now, Ronaldo who was bought for US$20.29 million has been sold for US$132 million - a tremendously handsome profit by any standards - and again, many feel that it is quite a gamble to sell the team's current talisman and star performer. However, on closer inspection, it seems as though Federico Macheda has been earmarked to be the direct replacement for Ronaldo.

By the looks of it, it seems Macheda can easily fill the void and if he rises to the heights of Beckham and Ronaldo, Ferguson - and more so the board of Machester United - can look forward to another windfall in 5 to 6 years' time.

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Man Utd One Game Short of Maximum for Season

Yesterday, Man Utd beat Arsenal 3-1 to reach the finals of the Champions League Competition. And with it winning all the other possible trophies save the FA Cup, it would have played a total of 66 games between August and May at the season's end - which works out to something like 1 game every 4.5 days.

If it had reached the FA Cup finals, this total would have been 67 - the maximum possible number of games for a Premier League club to play in one season. Contrast that figure with a club like Hull City which played about 45 games this season, and one can see the demands required of the top flight club. In fact, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal have all played less than 60 games this season.

As a fan, it is great to be abe to see the club I support in action so often and I am amazed at the fitness and discipline it would take as a club to achieve this feat.

FA Cup Final

I just watched the second half of the English FA Cup Final between Cardiff City and Portsmouth and couldn't help but think Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal or Liverpool could have easily demolished either finalist based on today's performance. A painfully soft goal to win a Final, the game sometimes seemed like a 'reserves final' (Glenn Johnson - ex-Chelsea and Sylvain Distin - ex-Man City) or even a Veteran's category (Hasselbaink, Kanu, Campbell, Fowler) final.

I watched the game as a neutral observer until I realised David James was in goal for Portsmouth - after which I instantly became a Cardiff supporter for the night. The underdogs seemed overwhelmed by the significance of the game but I believe they could have snatched it if not for the silly goal and/or they had believed in themselves a bit more.

However, one player that clearly caught my eye was this guy whom I thought was a semi-retired veteran (due to his grey hair) - Kevin McNaughton. A Scottish player, he was cool & smooth in his play, and his first touch is quite incredible. Not to mention, his defensive play is astute, wise and decisive. With his gangly frame, his style quite reminded me of the great Ryan Giggs. Of course, it didn't help that this right-back seemed to be struggling with fatigue and a pulled muscle late into the game - which added to the impression that he was an ageing player.

Surprise, surprise, the guy is just 25 going on 26 this year and should be reaching the peak of his career. The reason that I am highlighting McNaughton is because I am confident that he will be snapped up by a Premier League club for next season. You see, over the years, I have been able to correctly 'spot' such talents and I want to use this as a documented example.

In the first soccer match that I ever watched for myself, I was impressed by Mark Hughes as he played for Man United - and scored twice (one with an overhead kick). Years later, I spotted Darren Anderton during an FA Cup game (this was before he joined Tottenham) and felt he would be snapped up. I also felt Louis Saha should have been in the Man United squad a good season before he joined from Fulham.

So let us see what the results of this 'experiment' will be and hopefully, I will not be falling flat on my face - could very well be another Robbie Savage ("...started his playing career as a trainee at Manchester United, but was released..." & "...holding the dubious distinction of being awarded the most yellow cards in his career of any Premiership player in the league's history...").



Update:
Looks like an indication of my 'talent-spotting' might be the fact that the player appeared in the picture published on the ST on Sunday as part of the match report on the FA Cup Final.