Life’s a Pitch: Man Utd get “conservative” in transfer market

Gone are the days when Manchester United used to laugh in the face of transfer records.

Gary Pallister, Rio Ferdinand, Roy Keane and Bryan Robson are all players who went on to become Old Trafford legends, yet all cost top dollar.

But under the ownership of the Glazer family United have undergone a period of frugality. Instead of prioritising transfer targets on ability and potential, Sir Alex Ferguson is now focusing on affordability and value for money. Eden Hazard being a case in point.

The Life’s a Pitch video panel takes a look at this and wonders if this lack of ambition is depriving the squad of top talent.

Yet despite the cravings of most United fans for more creativity in midfield, Alexander Netherton feels that Shinji Kagawa will meet the shortcomings of last season’s trophyless season, and that they don’t need another midfielder to regain the Premier League title from Man City. Find out why.

Talking of Man City, not wanting to rest on their laurels, the champions are on the look out for central defensive reinforcements and video panellist Dave Kidd of The People believes Liverpool’s Daniel Agger is a more realistic target than Fabricio Coloccini.

And staying with City, our panellists have been on the prowl for the Premier League manager of last season to lead our Premier League select XI team. Unsurprisingly, Mancini is one of the names in the mix. But he faces stiff competition from the Toon’s Alan Pardew, Roberto Di Matteo of Chelsea and several others. Find out who gets the nod.

Elsewhere, with all the fancy new midfielders arriving at Chelsea this summer, Mike Calvin wonders about the fading prospects of English starlet Josh McEachran at Stamford Bridge.

We’ve also got loads of analysis of all the latest transfer rumours, plus we assess whether those deals that have been completed will be a hit or a miss.

Expert pundit videos

“Man Utd have become conservative in the transfer market”

Manchester United have swapped ambition for frugality in the transfer market, claims the Sunday Mirror’s David Walker.
Changing times >

“Man City more likely to get Agger than Coloccini”

The People’s Dave Kidd assesses Man City’s chances of bringing in top quality central defensive reinforcements this summer.
On the defensive >

QPR eye Bellamy, Babel to Newcastle, Milan in for Skrtel?

Three more slices of summer speculation are plucked from the ether and given a rating out of 10 by the Life’s a Pitch gang.
On the move? >

Who is the Premier League’s best manager?

Who was last season’s best Premier League manager? The Life’s a Pitch panel gets stuck in.
The main man >

Lively opinion blogs

Man Utd don’t need another midfielder to regain title

Sir Alex Ferguson apparently wants another central midfielder at Old Trafford, but Alexander Netherton thinks Manchester United can win the title without one.
Ready to go >

McEachran’s plight highlights English football’s big problem

With so much investment in the Chelsea midfield this summer Josh McEachran has fallen even further down the pecking order, writes Mike Calvin.
On the outside >

It’s not time to write off Owen Hargreaves just yet

Even if Owen Hargreaves’ trial at QPR doesn’t result in a contract, Mike Calvin still believes the former Man Utd and Man City player has a future in the game.
Still has something to offer >

Beckham is better off out of Team GB football experiment

Mike Calvin explains why the only person whose reputation will be enhanced by Team GB’s football campaign will be David Beckham, who was left out of the squad.
Better out than in? >

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