Ferguson talks up Latin talent

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

United have invested large sums in talent from the area including Ecuadorian Antonio Valencia, Brazilian Anderson and Mexican Javier Hernandez in recent seasons.

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

“Quite frankly, they do produce,” he 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 (Hernandez) has a fantastic attitude to playing and everything else. It’s really good.”

Despite such success stories, earlier flops – including Brazilian midfielder Kleberson and 35 million-euro Argentine Juan Sebastien Veron – encouraged more research prior to 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.”