Sam Allardyce: Sir Alex Ferguson always knows when to rebuild
There is no doubt that Sir Alex Ferguson looks for a certain type of player when he builds his Manchester United squads. Basically, he is after the footballer who has the mentality to play for United. That's the crucial element when I speak to him about this: he assesses the mental side, not just the skills-based side.
He is, in particular, trying to understand whether the player can handle performing for United and the pressures the club suffer in terms of how every game must be won, and so can they be part of the club's relentless winning campaign. There is no let-up to that drive from Sir Alex, and from the club. Losing two games on the trot at Manchester United is a crisis, it's a disaster, it is talked about everywhere.
So selecting the type of player who has the winning mentality to carry this on throughout the years is one element he has mastered on many occasions.
Spotting talent is pretty easy but whether that talent will be able to produce its best in the high-pressure games is one of the hardest things to gauge. I think that's why Sir Alex often tries now to buy players younger [as he has this summer], with Phil Jones [19] and the Spanish goalkeeper [David de Gea, 20].






Openings: Olson Olson Recine & Ass @ Nyehaus
New AM post: Openings: Olson Olson Recine & Ass @ Nyehaus
RT @ (Jack Recine)How I Cured Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Naturally!: Hot New Health...
@ Between you, Jess Recine and myself. I'd say 4 times is an appropriate number



