Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed why he didn’t sign Spanish playmaker David Silva at the club.
. Having signed for the Sky Blues in 2010 from Valencia, Silva has gone on to make more than 170 appearances for the club, scoring 34 goals and assisting 52 more.
Nicknamed “Merlin” for his magical passing ability, David Silva is undoubtedly one of the most vital cogs in Manchester Citya s wheel. Initially starting out as a winger, Silva eventually went on to establish himself as the cluba s playmaking midfield pivot.
Silva wouldn’t fit into Manchester United’s Philosophy
Ferguson revealed that he didn’t sign Silva as it would have been difficult to fit him in to the Manchester United team structure prevalent at that time.
“We watched Silva a lot when he was at Valencia,” Ferguson was quoted by the Mirror (via ESPNFC). “And the other player they had, the same type, years before it, played in that No. 10 role.”
“My problem with that was you have to be very, very good to play in that position, because there’s no defensive duties for them”.
“So if you’re wanting to be really successful, everyone has to do their turn, has to work, you know?”
Ferguson admitted that only players of the calibre of Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona would force him to alter his approach to the game.
“So I had a difficulty with that. But, in the end, of course, there’s the greats. You could say Lionel Messi was a No. 10 type, [Diego] Maradona, some fantastic players, and I don’t dispute that,” said the former Manchester United manager.
“But at United we always found it difficult. The kind of No. 10 I used came from my experience as a footballer,” he added.
Silva has gone on to become one of the top playmakers in world football since he signed for Manchester City in 2010. He has won 2 leagues and 2 cups in his 5 years as a Manchester City player.
Despite being aware of Silva’s immense potential, Sir Alex Ferguson decided not to sign the diminutive Spanish International in 2010, even after personally scouting him for a number of years. According to Ferguson, the introduction of Silva as the club’s no. 10 would have forced him to alter his approach and change the entire structure of the squad.
Given the success that Silva has enjoyed with United’s arch rivals over the years, Ferguson may as well be regretting not signing the midfield maestro.