- Jul 19, 2015
- 6,647
- 27,841
Ok
Berbatov was moved on after he hit 30 and was very much a bit part player by then. Making only 12 appearances in the league that season.
Kanchelskis had a falling out with Ferguson, nothing to do with ability or strategy.
Sheringham was in his mid-thirties but was offered a contract, but refused. No attempt to move him on.
Cole, was a bit part player when he moved on. Becoming 4th choice.
Yorke bit part player when he left. Possibly frozen out because of a rumored falling out in his last season. But had already began to lose his spot before then after some poor performances.
Van Persie - not sold under Fegerson but rather under van gaal. Wasn't a starter when he left, but rather was used in rotation for two successive seasons. Left in his mid-thirties.
Stam - Valid but 'JAAP STAM WAS THE ONE. Without a question, I made a mistake there'. - Alex Ferguson
Van Nistelrooy - Valid. Though again, partly caused by a falling out.
Vernon - He never performed well at Man Utd. Flopped there. Never actually established himself as a starter only used in rotation.
Tevez - He was loaned to Man Utd for two seasons. He was offered a contract at Man Utd, but refused and made the choice to go to city.
Being generous I'd say maybe 4 of those prove your point. But that is a very generous interpretation. You always had to be on Ferguson's side, if you turned against him you were out. He did refresh his squads a little bit, though the core of a team would only infrequently change, and infact if you at his sides the players outside his core often were not all that good but offered useful things for the squad and their deficiencies were masked by a super-strong core.
He didn't normally just discard big players in refreshing his team. Rather they would be phased out and eventually let go. People like Stam were let go only because a lot of money was offered and he was deemed replaceable. Not as a preplanned move. The thing is I think Poch does want to refresh the squad. It's just for whatever reason this hasn't been possible. He clearly wants some players out and some in.
I’ll leave Sir Alex to speak for himself on this topic. He famously said (when reflecting on his success and longevity)...
“I believe that the cycle of a successful team lasts maybe four years and then some change is needed. So we tried to visualise the team three or four years ahead and make decisions accordingly. Because I was at United for such a long time, I could afford to plan ahead. I was very fortunate in that respect. The hardest thing is to let go of a player who has been a great guy – but all the evidence is on the field."
What I have been saying is that teams need to change every 3 or 4 years otherwise players become stale. The majority of our matchday players used so far this season are now into their 6th season with Poch. I’m not blaming Poch, I’m blaming Poch and Levy. But the whole first team inc. the manager are stale and do not have the same positive energy of 2015/16 or 2016/17.