Stuart Mathieson: Will Manchester United regret the Wesley Sneijder saga?

SUMMER SAGA: Inter Milan playmaker Wesley Sneijder

If United had started the season poorly and the bold youth policy had fallen flat on its face, would the Reds now be working like crazy on a last-minute deal for Wesley Sneijder?

The saga surrounding the Dutchman has dragged on all summer, with the Reds believed to be keen to lure the playmaker from Inter Milan.

Sneijder himself is reported to have been equally all ears about a move to Old Trafford and the Premier League.

Now the 27-year-old has said that it wont happen. Until the transfer window actually shuts tonight at 11pm, youd never rule anything out with canny Sir Alex Ferguson.

Sneijders 35m fee and, particularly, his astronomical salary of 250,000-a-week, have been the stumbling blocks throughout.

But the Reds have gone that extra mile in years gone by and more recently for Wayne Rooney last season and had Fergie felt there was a need for Sneijder, then I bet hed have persuaded the Glazers to shell out.

The start to the season and the form of the Anglo-Brazilian axis of home-grown Tom Cleverley and South American Anderson has helped the champions engineer their way to top spot and a memorable annihilation of Arsenal.

The new-look pairing has mixed power with panache and fortitude with flair.

And it has kept more experienced central midfielders like Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs on the bench.

Now that he is fully fit, it wont be an easy route back into the engine room for Darren Fletcher. There is little doubt that 22-year-old Cleverley and 23-year-old Anderson have the tools to manufacture success against the best in England.

But has not pushing for Sneijder been an error in terms of Champions League success?

I dont think we will find the answer u! ntil the business end of European competition.

Cleverley has no Champions League experience. Anderson has 22 European starts to his name, but against the elite he has generally failed to command the midfield tussle, even though he did score twice against Schalke in last seasons second-leg semi against the Germans.

He didnt come on as a sub in the Wembley final against Barcelona and was overwhelmed by the Spaniards in Rome in 2009.

Anderson may be entering a new, mature era and could take Europe by the scruff of its neck, but there are still questions marks. Benfica, Basel and Otelul Galati shouldnt be a serious test on the European stage for the revamped central midfield, but when the Iniesta and Xavi come calling, it could be a different kettle of fish.

Sneijder, on the other hand, has mixed it successfully with Barcas dream team when Inter beat them in the 2010 semis and went on to lift the Champions League trophy.

He has the pedigree to be able to orchestrate success against the elite.

It is set to be another brave decision by the United manager to throw down the gauntlet to a younger midfield unit, but how many times has he come up with the goods when making such courageous choices?

Let us hope in Munich next May or even before in the knockouts the Reds are not rueing throwing caution to the wind over Wesley Sneijder.

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