New Player Review #3 - David de Gea

David with SAF as he signs for Man Utd - guardian.co.uk

Date of Birth: 07/11/1990 (Age 20)
Place of Birth: Madrid
Professional Debut: 30/09/09 (vs Porto)
Nationality: Spanish
International Caps: 15 @ U17's
                               15 @ U19's
                                 1 @ U20's
                                13@ U21's

Joined Manchester United: 01/07/2011
Signed From: Athlético Madrid
Transfer Fee: Undisclosed (estimated £17-18million)
Squad Number: 1
Position: Goalkeeper

After all the speculation of Rene Adler falling through the next name on the list seemed to be David de Gea and as far as Sir Alex was concerned it was perhaps the only name on the list. There never seemed to be any substance in claims of any other keepers, the next closest name was Pepe Reina from the scousers which was ridiculous altogether. It would not have been worth the aggro and the price would have be insanely inflated.

In the end Ferguson seems to have had a punt on the young Spanish keeper who has be favoured in the national youth sides over the past number of years gaining an impressive 44 caps at this level. Though I fear it could be a while before he earns his first senior cap due to the stranglehold on the positions Iker Casillas has, and only being 30 himself, he may continue to hold the senior Spanish goalkeeper position for many seasons to come. Even if Casillas does lose favour David will then have to contend with Victor Valdes (29) and Pepe Reina (28).

Hopefully coming to a club such as Man Utd can help spring board him towards the senior position though as the experience he would gain would be invaluable, having already won the U17 and U21 European Championships with his country I'm sure his aim will be to continue this pattern into his senior career. But what may be Spain's loss could be Utd's gain as de Gea can focus solely on his club career cementing himself in-between the sticks at Old Trafford for many years to come.

de Gea at his first training session with the squad - manutd.com

One thing we can be thankful for is that after watching the training session @nickcoppack reports

"Just watched #mufc train in Portland. Stuck with the GKs - de Gea showed good handling. He's a catcher not a puncher. Phew."

Already on of the highest rated keepers in Europe and can only improve. If he fills his potential he could challenge records set by Schmeichel and Van der Sar at Man Utd.

Rating: Exciting potential. Good signing.

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New Player Review #2 - Ashley Young

 Debut vs New England Revolution - mirrorfootball.co.uk

Date of Birth: 09/07/1985 (Age 26)
Place of Birth: Stevenage
Professional Debut: 13/09/03 (vs Milwall)
Nationality: English
International Caps: 15

Joined Manchester United: 01/07/2011
Signed From: Aston Villa FC
Transfer Fee: Undisclosed (estimated £16million)
Squad Number: 18
Position: Winger/Attacking Mid (R/L/C)

No hassle, no fuss. That's the best way to describe the capture of Ashley Young from Villa, it appears to have been contact was made between the two clubs and Ashley agent. A price and the move was agreed before the news broke. All there was to do was allow Young to finish his holiday, there never seemed to be any panic or noise about the transfer until he had. Then he returned to completed his medical on the 22nd of June and the transfer was officially announced the next day.

As with Phil Jones, I am glad to have grabbed another English player and at 26, Ashley is only coming into his prime. He is a player that I see as made for United, a proper winger who can run all day. Like Antonio Valencia, who came from a smaller team and never flinched as he stepped onto the right-hand side of the turf at Old Trafford, I can see Ashley having a similar effect on the left. He can beat men, cross the ball and shoot.

He was impressive at Villa over the past few years and that was with a struggling team, when given the opportunity and freedom now to show what he can do, I hope he can step up to the challenge. He has all the tools to be successful and can give United that same steady influence on the left wing as Valencia gives on the right.

Just one piece of advice for Ashley. No snoods at OT.

Snoods Banned at Old Trafford - bleacherreport.com

Rating: Made for Utd. Great Signing.

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New Player Review #1 - Phil Jones

Phil Jones - Football365.com

Date of Birth: 21/02/1992 (Age 19)
Place of Birth: Preston
Professional Debut: 22/09/09 (vs Nottingham Forest)
Nationality: English
International Caps: 4 @ U19's
                               9 @ U21's

Joined Manchester United: 01/07/2011
Signed From: Blackburn Rovers FC
Transfer Fee: Undisclosed (estimated 16.5million)
Squad Number: 4
Position: CB/DM


Jones was Utd's first signing of the summer, being announced on the 13th June. I must admit it did seem to come out of nowhere to me but as soon as the news broke I was very please with this capture. Another young, English defender who can grow into a prefect partnership with Chris Smalling (21), both a club and international level throughout their careers over the next 10 or more years.

I am Irish not English, but when Man Utd capture English players it makes me happy because I know that they understand fully that Utd are the biggest club in the world and that we are (probably) the club they dreamed to play for. They will not become want away stars and feel like jumping ship at the first sniff around from Real Madrid or Barcelona ect. a la Cristiano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso and Cesc Fabregas.

Jones and Smalling Partnership - skysportsnews.com

Jones has had much more premier league experience at Blackburn than Smalling had at Fulham before he joined but I can still see him being used sparingly as Chris was this past season. There is no rush and Jones will not be thrown in the deep end. I may be proved wrong but I can't see Phil being played regularly in the defensive midfield position he played at Blackburn a lot of the time. He will be asked to learn from the experienced defenders already at the club and barring major injuries to Vidic or Ferdinand, will be eased into competitive matches throughout the year.

Rating: Good with potential to be great


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New Direction - Red Devil review

So this kinda started as a blog to help me put of revision for my final university exams...it worked but I haven't really posted since. I've now decided that I am going to dedicate this blog mainly to Man Utd and the big stories around the club, its players and fans.

New RDR Logo

I'm going to do a short write up about each of Utds new signings over the next few days and will try to be more dedicate to writing the blog. Think I will also try to begin a blog reviewing the films I watch throughout the year (as that's nearly all I do between watching Utd matches). I will attach a link for that if it ever happens.

Also just to complete the first post I have now graduated from University, I got a 2:2 in the end. The job hunt has begun and I have my first interview coming up shortly.