Manchester United renews contracts with Ferdinand, Carrick, Brown
Apr 19th, 2008 • Coaches • Players • Teams • Transactions
United decided it was an appropriate time to renew its contracts with Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, and Wes Brown. Brown is 28 years old, Carrick 26, and Ferdinand 29.
“They have agreed to new deals. It continues our policy of lengthening contracts at the right time.” said Ferdinand, “We have a strong squad already and this just keeps it going. And I would imagine there is a good possibility of stocking up again in the summer. The strong squad we have built has aided us this season and this latest bit of business is definitely good news.” The details of the contracts have not been revealed; however, Pini Zahavi (Ferdinand’s agent) said his deal would last 5 years (and is suspected to be worth €130,000 a week).
Wes Brown has become instrumental in the United defense ever since Gary Neville got injured. “There’s no other club for Wes Brown. He’s a Manchester player. We were always quietly confident he would sign.” Wes Brown’s deal would have ended this summer; negotiations over his contract were difficult. “Players of today live in their agents’ pockets - it’s a situation which really depresses me. It’s in his hands. It’s not in our hands. We wouldn’t have made the offer if we hadn’t had faith in him.” Paul Martin (Browns agent), advised him not to settle for less than €50,000 a week. “Wes knows this and the other players have told him. Wes has been with us since he was 12 but I don’t think that matters these days. Their agents live their lives for them and if you are happy to go along with that then you get the situation that you have got just now.”
“We have given him his offer. It’s amazing really, given that he has had such a good season and has had such a good run of games while Gary has been injured.
Carrick seemed enthused with the recent contracts. “Talks have been going on for a while now. Things have been falling into place for me here and it is nice to know the club reward you for that.” He joined United in 2006 for a transfer fee of €18.6 million; Carrick was previously playing with Tottenham who obtained him from West Ham for €2.75 million. “Once I heard United were involved in trying to sign me I wanted to come, simple as that. It’s a terrific club and I just wanted to come and improve my game, achieve things and win trophies. I felt I couldn’t turn it down. This is a football decision, a decision not driven by money.”
“He’s a very, very good passer of the ball,” said Ferguson. “The good thing is he’s been playing English football. He went into a West Ham team very young and most players who come through West Ham get a good education.”
I just dont think that brown is that good, maybe better than gary neville, but he still makes a lot of mistakes, if i were man utd i would be looking for a solid defender to replace him with this summer, they have a great midfield and attack
i agree, i think brown could be considered as a weak point, maybe with time he will get better