You heard that right folks the United board have not, repeat not, fucked up on a transfer deal. Seriously, this isn't April Fool's Day, today The Red's board agreed the £4m transfer of Park Ji-Sung from PSV Eindhoven. The club has been negotiating behind the scenes for nearly a month - although PSV have tried to conduct the transfer through the media as usual - and have paid the exact fee that they originally offered. So much for PSV's demand for a "mega transfer fee", so much for money-bags Chelsea's interest, so much for Kenyon style capitulation. What next Ferdinand will sign a his contract and Fergie will play two up front. Ok, you're right, that's going too far!
Park, an all action attacking midfielder who can play across the midfielder four, has a real chance of making at Old Trafford. Although some recent signings from abroad - Kléberson, Djemba-Djemba, Forlan to name but three - have been expensive failures, Park shouldn't be one of them. He has heart by the bucketload, no little skill but more importantly has already performed at the highest level in the Champions League. The question is: will Fergie give him a chance? Depending on other signings this summer Fergie could switch back to a 4-4-2... in which case Park could find himself used mainly as Ronaldo's back-up. However, should Sir Alex continue to employ a five man midfield Park will compete with Darren Fletcher for a place on the right side of a midfield three.
Park's signature will surely see some movement out of Old Trafford. United now have Park, Keane, Scholes, Giggs, Ronaldo, Fortune, P Neville, Fletcher plus John O'Shea competing for places in midfield.
Roy Keane's ageing legs, however, are still a problem. The obvious candidates - Gattuso, Vieira, Gerrard, Essien, Mascherano - are all unwilling or very unlikely to join the club. Yet the Keane issue is one that many United fans feel is seriously limiting The Reds chances of regaining some silverware in 2005/6. Keane, once two players in one, is less that half of his old self. There's the same drive; the same fearsome burning desire to win, but the legs don't carry the fight any more. Like Mike Tyson, Keane has fought in one too many war. His continued inclusion in the team is forcing the tactical switch to 4-5-1, which in turn is having a negative effect on Wayne Rooney. It may be Ferguson's toughest decision yet but dumping Keane is perhaps his most crucial.
Up-front Sir Alex may also need to make some equally tough decisions if his revolution is to continue. The most difficult being that of Ruud van Nistelrooy's future. Dare Scotland's finest sell the Dutch international striker, aged just 28, at the theoretical peak of his career? Ruud's stats in 2004/5 were well down on previous seasons, although two major injuries played a major role in that.
It's safe to say that the only chance of Louis Saha remaining at the club are for him to get another long term injury, therefore blocking the inevitable transfer. 18 months on from his protracted transfer to the club and a succession of injuries have almost certainly put an end to his United career. The board will sanction a sale at a fraction of his £12m purchase price.
That leaves room for a major import and it's no secret that Fergie would like to bring in St. Michael Owen from Real Madrid. Much to the chagrin of United's rivals down the East Lancs Road, it might just happen as well...
credit : www.unitedrant.co.uk
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