Harry Diamond
Gary Neville has discussed Sir Alex Ferguson’s approach to completing transfers at Manchester United and insists the former manager ‘rarely ventured into the world of buying the complete star’.
Ferguson is regarded as one of the greatest managers of all-time following a glittering career in English football, Manchester United dominating the first two decades of the Premier League era winning 13 league titles and two Champions League trophies amongst their honours.
The club have struggled to challenge for major silverware since Ferguson’s retirement seven years ago, with a host of marquee signings failing to arrest a decline during a transitional era for the record 20-time champions.
Neville has now opened up on the secrets of Ferguson’s sustained success in the transfer market, explaining how the former manager worked in three key categories when it came to recruitment and rarely decided to pursue ready-made stars.
“There were three categories,” Neville said on Sky Sports. “His policy was to promote youth wherever possible, that was number one before he even looked at the external market.
“Number two was to look at the best in the Premier League, those he could trust, and still have growth and be with the club for a long time. Gary Pallister, Steve Bruce, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Robin van Persie.
“And then he always wanted emerging international talent that could come over to Manchester, that he could work with and develop into great players. Nemanja Vidic, Peter Schmeichel, Patrice Evra, Cristiano Ronaldo , Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
“He very rarely ventured into the world of buying the complete star, and it’s not far off Pep Guardiola’s tactic with Manchester City right now.”
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