Manchester United: Let's Get Real About Who They Will or Won't Sign

OK. I'm a typical Manchester United supporter. I get carried away about who I'd like us to sign, and jump around like a kid when we sign someone who is a surprise.

I'll never forget going crazy when Fergie had the audacity to sign Michael Owen. That just about summed up what the Boss can do. Owen is one of the greatest English strikers ever. OK, he's been injured, but he'll never let you down. And this Chester lad loves being at United.

As for Wesley, well, I'm afraid he (or his agent) has burned his boats.

Let there be no doubt about it. Wesley would have been a perfect United signing and could well have become a legend. But his apparent unwillingness to drop his £200,000 plus wage demands has probably scuppered his chances for good.

There's every reason to write articles speculating about possible United signings, and I respect most of the suggestions as possible enhancements to the squad. But what we are dealing with here is Sir Alex's single-mindedness.

He is incredibly committed to the development of United's youth—and rightly so, because he has a truckload of talent knocking on the door, unlike Kenny Dalglish, Roberto di Matteo, etc. In this respect he is undoubtedly walking in Sir Matt's footsteps.

Fergie also has a set strategy for these youngsters: they prove themselves in the Academy and Reserves; then they go out on loan—probably to a Championship or Division 1 team; followed by a spell with a selected Premiership team. In every case, SAF will only entrust his players to a coach who will play them and give objective feedback, like Moyes (or even his own son, Darren).

Tom Cleverley is a classic example, as is David Beckham. (Do you remember him going to Preston?) It's partly about development and experience through the stages and partly about having the right attitude and humility. It is not widely known that Chicharito could have gone out on loan if he hadn't hit the ground running...

So, as with all previous dynasties, Sir Alex will blend youth and experience. It's all very well that people are saying this is the worst United squad they've ever seen, but we have 70 points and could finish with an unprecedented 97, despite this being a team in transition.

How can anyone argue with his strategy when Danny Welbeck is already an established striker (and will be for England also after the European Championships), he has signed arguably one of the greatest young English talents ever in Phil Jones, as well as a possible future world's best goalkeeper in David De Gea?

Now, I would like to think we could become the best team in Europe through youth development; and I would also love us to sign some of the top players in the world. But actually...and realistically...there has to be a blend of the internal and external.

People are talking about the next Paul Scholes...there will never be another Paul Scholes. Likewise, there is also only one Luca Modric.

At the end of the day, among the things that matter to Sir Alex are finding young gems, pace, ball skill and sublimating ambition to the team goals. Big egos (like Balotelli) need not apply. That's why Morrison had to go (and Kieron Richardson or Darron Gibson for that matter).

In the next few slides I shall simply propose the very few signings that in my opinion are either needed, or would fit the blueprint going forward.

Let's start with strikers, now that Dimitar is on his way... 

Right now, Robin is the best striker in the world. He has remained pretty much injury free for 15 months, and there is nobody better. Why does everyone automatically assume he would go to City?

He would become a legend at United. Imagine him playing alongside Rooney and just drool...

City might offer £210,000 a week if they can offload Tevez and Adebayor, but Sir Alex would not baulk at that salary, making him the second-highest paid player in the squad. Nobody would argue with that.

Sir Alex loves strikers. While Nando was at Liverpool there was no way he could have signed him. Now he is a flop at Chelsea, they would probably take £30 million.

Have no doubt about it. Sir Alex would sign Nando at a stroke. While he was at Liverpool, the Spaniard was the best striker in the world. He ended up unloved, and it broke his confidence. Don't forget SAF was a striker himself; he looooves sheer b****y talent. He would back himself to help Torres rediscover the form that made him great.

He would also become a legend at United.

Form is temporary —class is permanent.

In my opinion, Karim missed a huge opportunity when he preferred Real Madrid to United. Don't get me wrong, he has been a great success in Spain and his best is yet to come. But he could have hit the heights of Eric Cantona at Old Trafford.

It's not too late Karim...come and be a hero for life.

If you have young talents like Cleverley and Pogba, and old masters like Scholes, why settle for second-best?

As Paul Newman said when asked about the secret of success in his 25-year marriage to Joanne Woodward: "Why go out for a burger when you have prime steak at home?"

You get the picture?

In midfield, Carrick is massively underrated and hopefully Fletcher will be back. The two of them are bedrocks. Scholes will play when Sir Alex wants him to and the young talent will mature.

So who would fit?

Luka Modric is not Paul Scholes, but he could become as big at United. If Harry goes to England, surely United will sign him for £35 million?

This lad is some talent. It's no wonder Sir Alex has been to see him personally. And he's only 19.

He's nothing like Paul Scholes, but he has vision, great pace and ball skill. This is the United of the future. If I had to stake my reputation on one signing, this would be the one. 

Imagine the future at OT, with Hazard, Pogba and Cleverley being rotated...perm any two from three.

Mouthwatering.

Serbian.

Sidekick to Nemanja Vidic.

Only 23.

Potentially one of the greatest central defenders in the world.

Done deal—sign him, Fergie.

I sat in awe as I watched this lad at Old Trafford. He's the real deal.

He can play midfield or defence. He looked so mature. My golly, he would fit into the United team like a hand in a glove.

You'll note that I've been very focused in my selections and I think Sir Alex needs to be equally single-minded.

Just pick three targets, Fergie. Money is no object—go for them.

So who would I sign if pressed?

Torres, Modric and Martinez...end of. Get it done, Sir Alex—all the other rumours are distractions.