Whilst the majority of Porto's contemporaries are nowhere near as stable (there have at the time of writing already been close to one hundred player departures from next season's sixteen Primeira Liga participants), there is a discernible culture of adaptability that, whilst not unique to the game in Portugal, is rarely seen outside of South America. (sbnation.com)
United had a nightmare season under David Moyes last term, finishing in seventh place in the Premier League, and are determined to get back among the big boys this year with a host of new arrivals, with player departures also likely to help fund these moves as the likes of Danny Welbeck, Shinji Kagawa, Wilfried Zaha and others close in on exits from the club. (caughtoffside.com)
The defense is not quite as good (player departures, no longer having a devastating punting game that buries opponents, and simple reversion to the mean). (sbnation.com)