ComeOnThiagojoinUtd
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One thing I think you UTD fans need to understand about Thiago is that the Thiago version that you saw in the Euro U-21s won't be the same player you get once he starts playing in the PL and CL. He looks like a god amongst mere mortals whenever he plays for the youth national team yet he doesn't do the same things as consistently as he does there on the higher level.
Don't think that I am bashing Thiago, he is an amazing talent and for his age, he is probably the best all-around MF. However, he has been pretty inconsistent when he plays for us and this is why he hasn't benched Xavi yet. The Thiago U-21 version is what you will get in about 3-4 years time where he just bosses games like its nothing. He doesn't quite do the same thing when he plays in La Liga or in CL based on his performance last season.
However, with what he has shown recently and Xavi's decline recently, next season should be his breakout year. This is why, if he is wise and really wants to play in the WC as bad as the media claims he does, it makes more sense for him to stay here than leave.
Leaving Barca won't change the fact that on the Spanish NT, he will still be competing against Xavi, Iniesta and all the other MFs who are in the team now. As I have said prior, I am skeptical of the assumption that he will magically light up the PL and I think Barca's style is much better suited to his strengths.
You also forget that our system at United is much more forgiving than the Barca system. If he loses the ball at United he still has a very good defense that can bail him out and we don't play with so much possesion. Of course I don't think he'll be this good for us right away but after having the likes of Anderson and Cleverley in our midfield for years Thiago can be our Scholes heir. Next year could be his breakout year for Barcelona, but what then? Like I said there is no chance in hell that Xavi will be benched in the big games, the pressure on him would be simply too big and your manager doesn't seem to like him that much given how much he played for you last season.
The PL is also very different to La Liga. We don't have many great CMs in the EPL right now. The best CM duo last season was Sandro/Dembele from Spurs. Except Carrick, Toure and Wilshere there weren't really great CMs playing for EPL sides last season. With Carrick and Thiago our big weakness all of a sudden becomes a strength. Xavi's decline is more due to him playing to many games. Even though he can't admit it himself if you reach a certain age you can't play every game. Just look at Pirlo. At Milan he played too many games. Juventus rotated him and he showed that he is still one of the best CMs in the world and played a simply stunning Euro2012.
I don't think it's that much about being in the Spanish NT, I think it's more him wanting to play and be a star. If you're being promised for many years that next year will be your year and your playing time is even reduced I think you're getting frustrated. Like I said I don't believe he'll stay for long at United if he joins us. After 3-4 years he'll probably return like Fabregas, but in that time I'd be happy to see him develop his talents even further at one of the biggest clubs in the world.