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Published 18:41 23 Aug 2016 BST
Updated 18:44 23 Aug 2016 BST
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One of our most famous - and infamous - clubs is of course Manchester United. The very reason why the Old Trafford behemoth are loved and loathed more than anyone else is that they have certain definable characteristics, both good and bad, that represent them and them alone.
There are key traditions at United that are secondary to success, but not by much. The team must play with style, and youth must be given a chance. These are fundamental tenets, and yet the current manager, for all his previous success and glittering track record, doesn't have much time for such whims.
He is clearly at a stage in his career where he feels that he has nothing to prove and no one to appease - even the fans. All he is interested in is ultimate success and his personal legacy. In some ways, fair enough - he will have fulfilled his remit.
But he will have done it betraying the United way.
So in comes a big-name striker of senior years who will guarantee goals - and perhaps the title - but will be gone in a couple of years. As does an exciting playmaker from Borussia Dortmund, who will presumably provide the bullets as well as sell shirts abroad.
As for the kids at a club that is synonymous with youth development? They're all being sold for pittance, or going out on loan. It will be argued that the latter group are being farmed out to 'gain experience' before returning, but of course they won't. The coach will have moved on by then anyway.
In total, five academy players have been sold, whilst seven have been loaned out. What kind of short-sighted monster does a thing like that? Each and every one of those players deserves a chance, no matter how good they are. Because this is Manchester United we're talking about.
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