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Thursday, May 31, 2007

Manchester United sign Nani and Anderson. The transfer lowdown

Good morning boys and girls. I thought that I’d get my post in early this morning because of the fantastic news that broke last night. I check my comments and six guys have beaten me to it on the comments, God you guys are fast. I think it’s important for us to welcome Nani and Anderson to the club, so I’ll see if I can find some Youtube videos of them.

Reports suggest that the pair have been purchased for up to £30 million. This would take Sir Alex Ferguson’s pre season spending close to the £50 million mark. Both players represent an attacking prowess, which gives us some insight as to how United are going to play their football next season…. Anyone for more goals?

The sun article says that Ferguson is opting to play a 4-2-3-1 formation next season. We would have our standard back four, Hargreaves and Carrick as holding players, Ronaldo, Anderson and Ronaldo as our attacking options with Rooney up front. To me that sounds a little devastating. My only concern would be that Rooney is not an out and out striker, but the way the front four play, changing positions and interlinking with each other I think that they will all interchange positions throughout the game.

Anderson is one of the most coveted talents in Europe with Chelsea and Real Madrid both interested. His first club was Gremio coincidentally the same club where Ronaldinho rose through the ranks, indeed some have even gone as far as to compare him the Brazilian master. In 2005 he won the player of the tournament at the Fifa under-17 world championship. His move from Porto was completed in real haste, something United have not done all that well in recent years. Anderson has been named in Dunga’s squad for the Copa America. View Anderson’s stats here.

Nani is a more renowned talent to many United fans. Dubbed the new Ronaldo, he has long been a target of Sir Alex Ferguson. He is seen as a long term successor to Ryan Giggs who this week announced his retirement from international football to prolong his United Career. Nani is considered the most promising of left Wingers in Portugal, he has speed, skill and is a good striker of the ball. Nani made his first-team debut for Sporting Lsibon aged 18, making 29 appearances including all six champions league games. He scored 5 goals last season. View Nani’s Stats here.

I think that one important thing has emerged with these two signings and that is the growing role that Carlos Queiroz is havign at the club. These two deals were done in Portugal, Queiroz’s home country. I don’t think this is a bad thing, after all he is bringing flair and exciting players to the club. It’s not that Sir Alex didn’t do that before, more that Carlos maybe has the connections in Portugal at a time when they are producing some of the finest talents on the world scene.

The papers are saying that Ferguson is not finished yet and still wants to add another striker to his ranks. At £50 million already spent I think we will see some departures before this happens. According to journalists, Heinze is a forgone conclusion and I woulld expect Richardson and Saha to move on in order to fund a new set of legs up front.

These signings come at the right time for United. As Scholes and Giggs prepare to hang up their boots, the future of United arrive. They will have one or two seasons to learn from the masters, let’s hope they do and pick up where our Salford heros left off.

Videos of Anderson





Videos of Nani





See the UK Newspaper stories here.

the Guardian

The Mirror

The Sun

The Sun part 2

The daily mail

The Daily Telegraph

The Times

6 comments:

Ruud boy said...

as good as ronaldo is, i think even he would struggle to fill 2 of the places in the 4-2-3-1 you describe!

i see 2 of my 3 predictions have come right so far - that we would sign hargreaves, nani and torres. torres could still happen!

[ps you seem to have a fault on your system whereby every time i want to post a comment i have to sign up as a new user again, but it then recognises my details]

Anonymous said...

These signings are terrific for the club..O.T will be buzzing next season with this abundance of pace,skill,creativity and flair and the aggression+strength that O.H will bring to the united midfield.Hopefully Saha can stay fit,if we dont get a new striker..or maybe we cud get someone low-key like afonso alves or quagliarella or even larsson or viduka(who is on free and wud not be too much of a risk knowing that he can score goals in england,he cud be our new Teddy.S)

Anonymous said...

Just heard we are after Anelke from Bolton,whatever poeple say about him he always scores goals, if he can get 13 at Bolton I`m sure he would get 25 to 30 with us.Great and exiting news on the three signings can`t wait for the new seaso to start.

Gentleman said...

I can't agree more with what you guys have said. Hopefully Nani and Anderson will be able to hunt for more glory with us. I wouldn't mind Anelka with us actually, given the fact he can score goals. But he have to change his attitude before he got axed like how he was in Arsenal.

marlowe diego said...

i think anelka has calmed down quite a bit. his ego must have got bruised after playing at city! and i think big sam showed that it is possible to use his talents and control his attitude. would be an intersting signing that's for sure! anyone know what price?

No. 7 Shirt said...

There is no doubt that these signings are ones that are for the future and for help for Giggs and Scholes. Those two are reaching the point of old age (34 and up), and there is no way they can play 70 games/year anymore. Anderson and Nani are being brought in to the cultured and taught the English way so they can start their career when Giggs and Scholes are ending theirs.

I have done scouting on both these players on my blog....

if you read it you will see that I believe SAF has made two good signings and the future is bright at United.