David Beckham, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Gabriel Heinze...who's next?

Over the years, Real Madrid have bought many players from Manchester United. In reality, their main reason for this must have been to try and match the recent success of the English club.

David Beckham was at the peak of his powers when he left Manchester United, a household name with global marketing power. Who come's knocking on the door? That's right, money-hungry Real Madrid. I suspect that the David Beckham transfer was simply about publicity and increasing revenue, although there's no denying that David Beckham was a great footballer and a true professional.

Next, Real Madrid tried to buy United's success through the transfers of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Gabriel Heinze. Needless to say, this attemp failed as well. Both players seemingly disappeared of the map after their respective transfers.

Then came a transfer that everyone saw coming, but no-one expected. Real Madrid came calling for the gem of Old Trafford, Mr Ballon d'Or himself, Cristiano Ronaldo, for a record 80 million. As we all know, this bid was accepted and Ronaldo is now plying his trade in Spain. At the same time, Real Madrid secured the services of Kaka, a previous Ballon d'Or winner, Xavi Alonso and Karim Benzema. Once again they tried to buy success...and once again they failed. Their only real chance for silverware this season is the league, and lets face it, Barcelona aren't going to make it easy for them.

Now it seems as if Real Madrid have their eyes firmly set on another United player, or two. Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra are the latest United players to be coveted by the Spanish outfit. Haven't Madrid realised that success cannot be bought, I mean 200+ million couldn't even buy them a place in the Champions League quater-final. Why don't Real Madrid try investing in youth (look at the ages of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney when United bought them, or try developing their own young talent (David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, etc).

Real Madrid need to stop buying United's superstars, and start making their own...maybe then they can be successful. Look at it this way, how many of Barcelona's first team started in their youth academy??