Reports in Spain have suggested that both Barcelona and Manchester United turned down the chance to sign young striking prodigy Mario Balotelli – who now applies his trade for Inter Milan in Serie A – earlier in his career. United beat Internazionale 2-0 (over two legs) last season – with Balotelli coming on as sub in first game and being subbed off at Old Trafford. On both occasions the youngster appeared to lose his head in the heat the game.
According to Spanish daily ‘El Mundo Deportivo‘, the Italian under 21 star future could have panned out much differently with both Manchester United and Barcelona, believed to have been keen on recruiting the prodigy while he was still at Lumezzane. The Catalan giants and United were both put off by the enormous price the Italian minnow club were quoting. Balotelli has scored eleven time in thirty five appearances for Inter Milan.
Balotelli no doubt has supreme talent and tremendous strength either playing as a striker or out wide – but his temperament could have caused problems at Old Trafford. With all the recent talk of the problems in signing youngster abroad – it might come as some relief that United decided to not continue their pursuit of the player once the initial fee was made clear. Fergie has recently demanded an apology from La Harve Paul Pogba’s parents to recurit the youngster:
“There has been a lot of jumping on the bandwagon but I can assure you that Manchester United behave absolutely correctly in all their dealings with young players and their parents.”
“We do it impeccably, what other clubs do is obviously subject to a lot of controversy at the moment but I’m confident of our own club.”
United have a number of youngsters coming through the ranks – including Danny Welbeck, Federico Macheda, Joshua King, Ravel Morisson and Davide Petrucci. For more information on United youngsters – visit http://manunitedyouth.wordpress.com.
To be honest we have better youngsters then Arsenal. Mr.Wenger just plays them really early, we take our time time in growing them!
Like Cristiano Ronaldo, Beckham etc etc. If macheda was at Arsenal he would be starting.
No doubting Balotelli is a diamond but very much a work in progress. To be honest I’m glad we didn’t sign him because I’d like us to give Welbeck and Macheda far more opportunities this season.