Why United should not be disappointed over Moura transfer

Lucas Moura chose money over history ?

The Lucas Moura transfer saga finally comes to end and the recent trend has continued – of snubbing the opportunity to play in the famous red jersey of Manchester United and choosing money over challenge.

Money here points to the huge salaries that the likes Chelsea, Manchester City and PSG are willing to pay and challenge refers to the tough competition that one would have to face to get into the starting 11 at Old Trafford. Of choosing ‘a project’ over pride, glory, history and tradition.

There was never any doubt about the talent and potential that Moura has and so his transfer to PSG is a huge blow to the Red Devils, who were chasing him all summer. But as the super-rich PSG reportedly completed the 36 million pounds signing of the Brazilian, here are some reasons that should bring some relief to the disappointed 659 million United fans world-over.

“£36 million for a 19 year old boy. That’s just amazing. The game has gone mad.” This is what Sir Alex Ferguson had to say, which almost sums up everything. United would have never paid this high for a raw talent which was yet to be proven at the European level. It makes me crazy to think that Rooney (£26.5 million) and Ronaldo (£12.24 million) almost together account for this amount, when they were purchased. And if you consider the £6 million agent-cut, you can add another Vidic in there, who was transferred for £7 million. I know times have changed and transfer fees have rocketed skyways, but how can one 19 year-old lad be equal to three world class players?

Whenever a transfer speculation about United pops up, all United fans first barge into YouTube. And boy! Lucas was just amazing in those videos. But those videos were of his early days and his recent form has dipped. The progress expected out of him was not seen over the years. However he is only 19, full of potential, still not a finished product.

He started out as a CAM and now operates at the right wing. We already have three world class wingers in Nani, Young and Valencia. We also have Kagawa and sometimes even Rooney at CAM. So where would have he fitted in?

Nationality is not the only thing in common between Anderson and Moura because even Anderson, when purchased, was a hot prospect costing £25million. But even after 5 years following his transfer, he could not justify his talent and that is the risk involved when you pay for future potential over current ability. You never know, even Moura would have become yet another Anderson.

A good thing for the ‘Glory Hunters’ of Manchester is that they can now invest all the Moura-money in buying a CM and LB, which they desperately need today.

I might have sounded like a typical United fan, who speaks highly of a transfer target when the speculations are on, but later start doubting his abilities when he goes elsewhere. But I will have to confess that Moura is destined to become a star, perhaps, had he joined us, he would even have become a bigger star under Sir Alex.

But nonetheless, United can still benefit out of this situation if they use all the money left wisely. In 2003,we missed out on Ronaldinho, but the very next year, we landed with Cristiano Ronaldo. So you never know!