Manchester United QH: 5 Reasons the Club Did Well by Not Signing Wesley Sneijder

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In an article published last month by MEN Media Ferguson distanced himself from signing... well anyone.

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1455646_sir-alex-ferguson-cools-wesley-sneijder-rumours

"I have been saying it for weeks," he said.

"Everyone has been writing differently. We are just carrying on with our business.

"You can forget anyone you like. I am happy with the young players I have got."

Fast forward just over three weeks beyond that conversation and four games have been played; four games that United have won amassing a huge 17 goals and conceding just five.

He is happy with his young players. Are you?

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Wesley Sneijder is soon becoming a big fish in a shrinking San Siro pond, after the much-publiscised departure of Samuel Eto'o to Russia.

He had an escape route to Old Trafford, a step closer to regaining the coveted Champions League trophy he held two years back, yet he let greed rule his head.

In no way am i claiming that Manchester United are European heir's apparent, i am merely noticing them a couple of rungs further up the ladder than Inter Milan. Sneijder will, in all likelihood, finish this season empty handed.

For Alex Ferguson to have agreed to wages in line, or more than likely in excess of (taking into account Britains uber-rich taxation laws) that currently afforded to talisman Wayne Rooney, would have been to show desperation. The great Manchester United, held to ransom by a little man with a big ego.

The deal isn't' dead, and by resisting Sneijder's over-zealous demands the first time out, if they were to plow the avenue a second time the club would be doing so from a position of strength.

They, rather than Sneijder, would sit in the driving seat.

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For one to admonish Sir Alex's decision not to sign Sneijder they would have had to derive a semblance of validity for their argument from the opening four games.

To me that semblance is negligible, if it is even visible.

Admittedly the defence and goalkeeper have suffered some hairy moments, but Sneijder is neither a defender or goalkeeper.

The central midfield duo of 21-year-old Cleverley and 23-year-old Anderson, have passed and every test with flying colours, and show every sign of maturing yet further as a duo.

Anderson in particular has been exceptional, while Cleverley, suddenly catapulted on to the main-stage after a series of lower league loan spells, has adjusted incredibly. Such a trend, when the duo in question raw at such an infantile stage of both their careers and partnership, can hardly fail but to exacerbate.

Why change a winning formula?

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Throughout his tenure as United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has never been one to shy away from setting a youthful onus upon his sides. Yet even by his own relatively new-age mantra, this season has allowed Ferguson to plunge new depths.

Admittedly the side that was sent out against Spurs two weeks back was only the second youngest of the bosses time at the helm, but in contrast to the youngest (back in 09), the side that took to the field against Harry Redknapp's men was only fractionally dis-similar to this season first team.

Sir Alex's failure to land Sneijder has given the boss the opportunity to blood new talent, such as Tom Cleverley on a consistent and sustained basis.

Cleverley is playing in the knowledge that the central birth is very much up for grabs, and that he himself has an excellent opportunity to stake his claim as the club's first choice play-maker for years to come.

The signing of Sneijder would have outlawed such a possibility, as quite simply a man on £200,000 a week who cost over £30 million, and sits resplendent among the pantheons of the world's best footballers, doesn't do bench sitting.

In this stead Cleverley, and to a lesser extent midfield counter-part Anderson would have played very much a supporting role, quite likely sidelined for the more conservative Darren Fletcher or Michael Carrick.

And we wouldn't want that would we? Michael Carrick on the pitch? Shudder.

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Alright the title is simplistic, but in a monetary climate as driven as it is by value and getting the most out of your spend, all clubs—except Man City—must set a boundary. Even the very biggest clubs need to know when their ceiling is reached.

United noted the flaw in their side, primed their target, but ultimately the target priced himself out of a move.

The financial burden that Wesley Sneijder's transfer would have set to Manchester United is an unstable one amidst a plethora of positive financial reports coming out of the club. 

Sneijder's move to Old Trafford, would have been reminiscent of an aging aristocrat purchasing a diamond necklace for his long-time spouse. It is a luxury, an item that is desired, but in the scheme of things not necessarily needed. And as is the case with all luxuries too much is too much.

Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson's aging spouse, will have to wait for her diamond Sneijder until he is put on the sale rail.