Sunday, 9th September, 2012
Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he has dramatically stepped up Manchester United’s scouting operation in South America and Mexico.
The English giants have been extremely active in snapping up young talents from the area in recent years, picking up Fabio and Rafael da Silva, Javier Hernandez and most recently, highly-rated 18-year-old Chilean forward Angelo Henriquez.
Ferguson has also signed South American players from other clubs, notably midfielder Anderson and winger Antonio Valencia.
But with identifying young talent a key consideration at Old Trafford, Ferguson is determined to snap up starlets before anyone else and also gain the inside track on South American football.
And to this end he has ramped the club’s scouting operation.
"Our scouting there has increased. We’ve got an operative in Mexico, two in Brazil and four South American scouts now", the Manchester United boss told Inside United.
"Quite frankly, they do produce. The South Americans love playing football, it’s just in their blood.
"The three Brazilians – Anderson, Rafael and Fabio – love it and are first to training every morning. It’s a breath of fresh air.
"Antonio Valencia is as tough as nails with great discipline about him. Chicharito has a fantastic attitude to playing and everything else.
"It’s really good. We’ve done very well in Central and South America in the last two or three years."
With Manchester City and Chelsea splashing the cash in England, Ferguson’s strategy of identifying and then recruiting future stars before their value skyrockets may be crucial to Manchester United’s continued success.
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