Old Trafford boss looks to use squad players to land either Goodison Park or Stadium of Light youngsters.
A slice of United’s Manchester connection could be sacrificed in the summer to rebuild the Reds’ midfield. Mancunians Danny Welbeck and Wes Brown could both be on the way out of Old Trafford as Sir Alex Ferguson closes in on his summer wanted list.
With Paul Scholes yet to announce whether he will carry on next season and serious doubts over the futures of Owen Hargreaves, Darron Gibson, Anderson and even Ji-sung Park – whose contract ends in 2012 – Fergie will focus on boosting his midfield once the season ends.
Fergie is also looking to replenish his stock of young stars in the centre of the park with Everton’s Jack Rodwell and Sunderlands’ Jordan Henderson on his shopping list. Goodison boss David Moyes has recently put the block on England Under-21 Jack Rodwell leaving Goodison Park, while Steve Bruce says £20m wouldn’t be enough to tempt the Black Cats into selling their star midfielder.
But that’s where United’s two home produced Manchester players come into it. Welbeck is enjoying a hugely successful loan spell at the Stadium of Light and Bruce wants to sign the 20-year-old, especially following Darren Bent’s surprise mover to Aston Villa in January.
The experience and defensive qualities of Brown, who fell out of favour with Fergie this season before his recent recall as injuries mounted up, are also attractive to Bruce. Welbeck, on his own or the double package, would be the kind of deal that could persuade Sunderland to part with Henderson.
The same Old Trafford combination is the draw for Everton. Securing either Brown and Welbeck or one and cash could swing the Rodwell deal in the Reds’ favour. Fergie has insisted Welbeck will return to Old Trafford for next season and that he is a part of United’s future, but it might be a case of needs must as he revamps his midfield especially with Javier Hernandez making such an impact in his debut season.
SOURCE: Manchester Evening News
This could well be a good bit of business by Sir Alex Ferguson as he looks to cut transfer costs by offloading some of his squad players to land players to help build a new generation of talent at Old Trafford. Both David Moyes and Steve Bruce would like to keep their young English talents but will know that when a club the size and grandeur of Manchester United come calling then it is very difficult to prevent a player’s head from being turned.
Moyes has of course been through all of this before with Wayne Rooney and indeed also when Joleon Lescott forced the Toffees into selling him to Man City. Jack Rodwell has been linked with a move to Man United for the best part of two years and this summer a deal could be struck.
Everton may prefer a straight cash deal as the Goodison Park boss may want to invest his money elsewhere as it seems his needs are a little different from Steve Bruce who clearly would be interested in Danny Welbeck given his decent showing for the Black Cats and the sale of Darren Bent.
Wes Brown apparently fell out with Ferguson earlier this season and seems destined to end his 14 year tenure at the club.
Jordan Henderson has stated his desire to stick with Sunderland but if a concrete offer is made then the England international may change his tune. Some may feel that the use of players to finance deals could have something to do with the big debts reportedly accrued by the Glazers, Ferguson has been told by chief executive David Gill that funds will be made available to the Scot this summer.
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