[GocartMozart]

I've been thinking about the impressive foresight of Sir Matt and his decision to go not only into Europe, but also to develop young players and throw them on the pitch. I couldn't help but think about Sir Alex's visionary moves and looked at the current trend of infusing the team with South American and in general foreign talent. I then crossed over the Ronaldo thread and his desire to move onto Spain. Well I'm used to United legends being legendary for far longer than 5 years and wonder if the lack of loyalty to one team comes from the fact that these players are foreign. In my opinion, I think I'd rather take loyalty to my club than trophies, but maybe it's just me.

I look at how players are swapped back and forth between teams in Italy and Spain and I fear that we are losing the soul of our club, the legacy and the loyalty.

[redchampione]

I think it's inevitable these days that a top team is going to have talent from abroad, and there's nothing wrong with that plus it brings an appreciation of United to a wider audience, which can only be good. If you look at Ronaldo, Tevez, Anderson, Vidic, Evra, Van der Saar today it's hard to imagine the club without them, and I must say that all the above do seem to be dedicated to the club. I wouldn't say they necessarily bleed Red, but they definitely seem committed to me.

However when I think back of United hero's, the people I consider represent the heart and soul and history of the club I think of Charlton, Best, Law, Gregg, Stepney, Crerand, Stiles etc. To me they are what made United what it is today. The only foreign players I'd probably put in that group are Cantona and Schmiecel. Yet no one can deny the influence those two had.

I think United is a unique club, and the best of the foreign players will become part of that, the rest will come and go like any employee, but the long term heart of the club is probably with players who grew up knowing who United were, maybe following them, and eventually playing for them. Without them I don't believe we'd be the club we are today.

[GocartMozart]

great post.

I find it intersting that already, most people have chosen the mediocre team that is loyal to the end. of course the worst scenario is a mediocre foreign team. That's truly my greatest fear.

While this week has made me reflect on the type of United team I want, I have to be realistic that these choices don't come down to what the fans want or expect, but is really a factor of what the FA has done to the growth of the game, and to the wealth of talent outside of Britain. At one point, when you have 8 top teams fighting for Champions League spots, you won't be able to find enough incredible left-backs only from England. It seems that the cost for having a more competitive league, is to have a game filled with international talent. That's being practical.