Then, there’s the current crop of South Americans in the present squad.
Ecuador’s Antonio Valencia has unfortunately lost his form in the past 2 seasons. Having cost 10 million pounds less than Veron, he started off well from Wigan and did help United to 2 Premier League titles. But if he does not return to his form from when he first joined and as he approaches the 200-matches mark, fans will only remember him for the current funk he is in.
The Brazilian Anderson was meant to be the next Roy Keane at United. The club forked out close to 20 million pounds for the promising midfielder from FC Porto. However, as he closes in on his 8th season at Old Trafford, you get the feeling the club is at a loss with this one. They tried to get rid of him but his potential isn’t in demand. They do not want to lose him on the cheap having invested so much on him. And at the ripe ol’ age of 26, you’d think clubs would be clamouring for his signature. Unfortunately, it looks as if this deal could also go down in club history as an expensive flop unless things change.
The brothers Fabio and Rafael Da Silva do not share similar fates at the club. Rafael has fared better then Fabio, who will undoubtedly go down in the annals of club history as another failed South American project. Rafael however can still be the exception to the rule. At 24 years of age, he could still pave a bright path for himself at Old Trafford and rewrite history to become one of the rare South American success stories at United. The ex Fluminense youth players, were touted as Brazil’s answer to the Neville brothers. And while United fans cannot help but peer nonchalantly over their shoulders to keep up with how brother Fabio is currently doing at Cardiff City, they can still hold a light out for brother Raf and hope he finds consistent favour with the incumbent manager Luis Van Gaal.
Let’s not forget, Manchester United have gone and added three more South Americans to their roster this season in the form of Angel Di Maria, Marcos Rojo and Falcao.
All three are established internationals in their own right.
All three have given up the chance to play in Europe’s most lucrative tournament to feature for the Red Devils, who aren’t in said competition.
At least 2 of them bring along with them a wealth of achievement and experience.
But then, so did Veron.
And the stats, like Shakira’s hips, they don’t lie.
So, for the sake of the United faithful, let’s just hope they all turn out like Tevez instead.
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