Sir Alex Ferguson: Manchester United targeting more Latin Americans

Sep 9, 2012 5:30:00 PM

The Old Trafford club have expanded their scouting network in the region after several recent successes in bringing players from that area to the Premier League

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he wants more players from Latin America in his first-team squad.

The club have invested large sums in talent from the area including Antonio Valencia, Anderson and Chicharito in recent seasons, some of whom have gone on to form the core of United's highly successful and dominant side.

Chilean youngster Angelo Henriquez is the latest South American to seal a move to Old Trafford and Ferguson says that the desire of players from the region is the secret to their success.


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40/1	Chicharito is 40/1 with William Hill to be the Premier League's top goalscorer

"Quite frankly, they do produce,” the Scot told Inside United. "The South Americans love playing football, it's just in their blood.

"The three Brazilians - Anderson, Rafael and Fabio - love it and are first to training every morning. It's a breath of fresh air.

"Antonio Valencia is as tough as nails with great discipline about him. Chicharito has a fantastic attitude to playing and everything else. It's really good."

Despite recent success stories, earlier flops such as Brazilian midfielder Kleberson and €35 million Argentine Juan Sebastien Veron encouraged greater focus on recruiting players from the area.

"Our scouting there has increased," Ferguson added.

"We've got an operative in Mexico, two in Brazil and four South American scouts now. We've done very well in Central and South America in the last two or three years."

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