Manchester United's New Signings

Source: The Busby Babe

Manchester United's early swoop for two of the game’s brightest talents along with the acquisition of a proven performer in Hargreaves would have really put the rest of Europe’s major football clubs on the back foot.

Ferguson’s ability to spot the future stars of the game has been a decisive factor in the prolonged dominance that United has had over the last decade. It started with the likes of David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, continued with Ronaldo and Rooney and has reached a new level with the likes of Nani and Anderson.

Nani and Anderson were on the radar of many of the big clubs in Europe, namely Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea. They are going to be the next super stars of world soccer and in many pundits eyes, including mine, will surpass the likes of Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. This is a major statement, but these two at their tender young age have already done enough to suggest that they can do this.


Anderson the 19 year old Brazilian was one of FC Porto’s main players this year. His game against Arsenal in the Champions League was nothing short of superb, his flair on the ball coupled with his crisp passing and deadly shots on goal were simply mouth watering and enough for him to gain praise from Arsene Wenger, one of the hardest managers to please in world football. This form continued through out the season and it was only a matter of time before the big clubs of Europe came knocking on his door. Thankfully for us United fans, we got their first. His flair, skill, talent and Brazilian-ness is sure to add another dimension to the United team and with the guidance of one of the best managers in the world along with superstars like Ronaldo, Scholes and Giggs, he is sure to blossom even further and become on of the greats of the game.

If Anderson has got flair, then there would be no word to describe Nani. His use of the ball is absolutely sublime, his trickery is getting to the Ronaldo standard and he has all the other great attributes that you would expect of a super star midfielder. Coming from Sporting Lisbon, the former club of Ronaldo, the 21 year old Nani is sure to delight United fans just the way Ronaldo has done.

The scary thought for oppositions clubs is that these two are still only young at 19 and 21 and will be given some time to develop under the guidance of the pros that current occupy United’s midfield. People often talk about Barcelona’s forward structure with the likes of Ronaldinho, Messi and Eto'o when he was playing well, but in a few years time it will be Manchester United with a midfield comprising of Ronaldo, Hargreaves, Anderson and Nani, with the likes of Carrick to fill in whenever needed.

Things are good at United at the moment, but mark my word, they are only going to get better.