The Ljajic Deal: Penny Pinching or Smart Allocation of Resources?

United today backed out of the agreement to sign 18-year-old Serbia Under-21 international Adem Ljajic, otherwise known as “Little Kaka”. The official explanation is that “having closely monitored his development over the past 12 months” the club has chosen not to pursue the transfer.

I have no first hand opinion on Ljajic’s development over the past 12 months and would welcome any input from Serbian readers. But the collapsed deal of course raises questions whether the Glazers have told Ferguson that there is little or no money to spend, and if this in turn indicates that the club and its owners are heading towards a financial crisis.

I do, however, believe that the main reason for opting out of the deal is that Ferguson has other major plans in the transfer market. Over the last few months it might have dawned on him that the he needs to sign a world-class goalscorer (Dzeko?) a goalkeeper (Neuer?) and, considering the different kind of question marks over Ferdinand and Vidic, a central defender (Rodwell?). This would add up to a very substantial outlay. In parallell the development of some of the youngsters already at the club might have made it seem less urgent to bring in another promising teenager (apart from Rodwell, that is…).

The Glazers, by all accounts, can pinch pennies with the best of them, but I don´t believe the Ljajic deal is an example of this. I think it looks more like a smart allocation of resources, having identified more pressing needs.

I hope Ljajic has a successful career ahead of him. But I will probably be disappointed if he does indeed become the next Kaka.

Do United’s starlets really exist?

An intriguing story in The Guardian reveals that the 16-year-old Moldavian prodigy Masal Bugduv doesn’t exist. It appears that the player has been created out of nothing by a number of bloggers using e.g. Wikipedia and fake Associated Press-stories. What makes it all the more remarkable is that, while not existing, Bugduv still managed to be ranked 30th on The Times’ list of the hottest young football talents in the world. His name has since been removed from the list, for obvious reasons. But even without Bugduv the list is a rather strange hotchpotch, mixing unknown English teenagers with established stars like Karim Benzema and David Silva.

The non-existence of the Moldavian superstar-to-be raises a couple of important questions. The first is how much you can rely on information in a blog. The second, and perhaps even more important, is how many of United’s own prodigies that really exist?

I’ve seen photos of Adem Ljajic alongside Sir Alex, but let’s face it, Photoshop can be a devious tool. A thorough search of the Internet gave no indication as to the existence of United target Jack Sampson. And newest recruit Ritchie de Laet is supposed to have spent a year and a half at Stoke City, but hasn’t been seen anywhere near the first team.

For final proof of the existence or non-existence of these and other young stars we might have to rely on Descartes. Meanwhile, I’m just waiting for City to lodge a “massive” bid for Bugduv.

Official: Bambi and Kaka on their way

United has offically confirmed that Zoran Tosic (“Bambi”) and Adem Ljajic (“Little Kaka”) will join the club. Tosic with immediate effect while Ljajic will remain with Partizan Belgrade for the rest of the season. How good news is this?

Serbian “scouts” in general seem to lean towards the view that Ljajic is the important signing and the greater prospect, but since he’s only 17 it’s impossible to know how much of his potential will be fulfilled.

Tosic on the other hand is an established Serbia international with 12 caps already at 21 and should be a useful squad player. Perhaps after a period of adjustment. Remember that it took several months before his compatriot Vidic started to look like a United player. Anyway it’s good to have another winger in the squad as Giggs is now considered a central midfielder and Nani looks ever less likely to challenge Ronaldo and Park for a place in the first XI for important games.

United to sign Kaka and Bambi

According to the Daily Mirror United are about to sign two Serbian players from Partizan Belgrade. We have previously been linked with 17-year old Adem Ljajic, a right-sided midfielder nicknamed “Little Kaka”, but now the deal is rumoured to also include 21-year old midfielder Zoran Tosic who can play on either flank and is nicknamed “Bambi”. The deal is expected to go through in January if work permits are granted.

“Little Kaka” on trial

According to the Daily Mail, United are giving a trial to 17-year-old Serbian starlet Adem Ljajic. He’s a right-sided midfielder who has been nicknamed “Little Kaka” after impressing in CL qualifiers for Partizan Belgrade. He has already represented Serbia at U-21 level, and scored the only goal of the game against Sweden U-21 a few weeks ago.

After an in-depth “You Tube-analysis” there doesn’t really seem to be any need for a trial. Just sign him up, Fergie.