Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Carragher cites chastening Man Utd example with stark Newcastle warning

Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville

Jamie Carragher has claimed Manchester United are the perfect example of why Newcastle United may struggle more than they think.

Following their Saudi-led takeover, Newcastle are now the richest club in world football. Wholescale changes are expected to be made. A new sporting director and manager will likely be installed before the club launches an attack on the winter window.

Newcastle will be hoping they can closely follow the paths walked by Chelsea and Manchester City following their takeovers. Chelsea won the Premier League within two years of their sale to Roman Abramovich. Man City, meanwhile, had to wait just four years into their Abu Dhabi-owned tenure.

However, writing in his column for the Telegraph, Carragher explained why success might not be as quick at St. James’ Park.

“Only by spending enormous sums can they tempt players away from the traditional Champions League hotspots of London, Manchester and Anfield,” wrote Carragher.

“The most coveted stars will only join once they see proof of imminent short-term success. It’s a fantasy to expect Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland to join Newcastle in the next two or three years.

“They would never surrender Champions League football, and all the potential goalscoring records in that competition they are chasing, for a long-term project.

“Yes, money talks, but there are many clubs already established in the elite competition who will pay the biggest bucks for their services.

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“Even a much-wanted English player such as Declan Rice would hesitate before being tempted to leave West Ham for Newcastle at the end of this season.

“Why? Because no matter how much they spend in January, Newcastle are 18 months away from being where West Ham are today. They’re competing in Europe and establishing themselves in the top six.

“Rice will soon be looking up for the next step in his career and will have a choice of top-four clubs. It will take a while for Newcastle to reach that level.”

Carragher then referenced Man Utd as the most “obvious” example of how money isn’t everything.


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Carragher cites chastening Man Utd example

The Liverpool legend continued: “Realistically, the initial Newcastle plan must be to target young, hungry players outside the top four. Players who want to commit to pioneering the north east renaissance.

“When the Saudi Arabians study the last 10 years of English football, they will know there is more to success than spending millions on new players.

Manchester United have splashed out a billion since Sir Alex Ferguson retired and are into their ninth season without the Premier League title.

They are the most obvious example that a football club cannot guarantee titles by being the biggest spenders. They must have the right people within the organisation spending it.

“Smart recruitment choices must be made. Especially as agents start seeing commission fees and pushing their clients towards St James’ Park. Clubs will eye an opportunity to offload their deadwood for inflated prices.”

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