Gaffer Posted 13 July 2009 Posted 13 July 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...utd/8148073.stm Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he will not make any further signings during the summer.United have brought in Michael Owen, Antonio Valencia and Bordeaux's Gabriel Obertan to replace departed forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez. Ferguson revealed he had bid for Karim Benzema, who joined Real Madrid, but insisted he had no further targets. "It is the end of our business," he said. "Stories about who we are supposed to be getting - forget it." United pocketed £80m from Ronaldo's world record transfer to Real Madrid and the Old Trafford club had been expected to spend a sizeable proportion of the funds on new players. Among those to be linked with a move to the Premier League champions are Brazilian forward Douglas Costa, French playmaker Franck Ribery, and Spain striker David Villa. But Ferguson feels the market is now over-inflated and he does not want to pay over the odds for players. Real Madrid, for example, have spent in excess of £170m this summer in capturing Kaka from AC Milan, Benzema from Lyon and Ronaldo.And Ferguson added: "There are some amazing numbers being talked about, not all of them realistic. It is very difficult to get value now. "In a way we benefited through the sale of Cristiano, although that figure was non-negotiable. "But I feel we have a good squad, which meant there was no need for knee-jerk reactions. "We asked about Benzema and we had a value for him. Lyon have done well because they got 42m euros but I think we took a sensible view." Instead, Valencia has arrived from Wigan, 20-year-old winger Obertan has been recruited and Owen was signed on a free transfer after his contract with Newcastle expired. And the England striker has been handed the number seven shirt - the shirt vacated by Ronaldo. Owen will add extra experience to an attack that still boasts plenty of established talent in Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov, plus youngsters Danny Welbeck and Federico Macheda.Ferguson hinted that Welbeck and Macheda, who scored vital goals at the end of last season, will be given opportunities to play their part. "They are both young players - but young players with ability always get a chance here," added Ferguson. Owen, meanwhile, has vowed to recapture his best form and show he will be an important part of the United team. "I am hungry to do well and if this challenge doesn't create a hunger and put a spring in your step and a smile on your face then nothing will," he said. "I honestly believe I can still do well in a top team like Manchester United." Ferguson praised the desire of Owen to prove his critics wrong and is confident the 28-year-old can rediscover the scoring touch that made him one of Europe's most feared strikers. "His experience is vital and with Michael you will see the experience he will give us in the penalty box," commented Ferguson. "There is no question that he will score a lot of goals for us and he has been great for years and years. "You always have to be aware of him in the last third."Ferguson added that he had expected to lose Argentine striker Carlos Tevez, who looks set to join local rivals Manchester City, for several months. "I half expected Tevez would be going a long time back," said the Scot "I spoke to him and gave him an offer on the night we played Inter Milan (in March) and he never came back to me. "I phoned him on holiday and he never got back to me and I texted him twice and he never got back to me then either, so obviously he had made his mind up a long time ago. "He was a good player and did well for us. But he obviously assessed the situation and wanted to go somewhere else."
Durnerz Posted 13 July 2009 Posted 13 July 2009 I think United will still be alright this season for the title. Ancelotti will not suceed at Chelsea in the league, however in Europe that could be a different matter.
Basingstoke Fox Posted 13 July 2009 Posted 13 July 2009 I understand that he does not want to pay over the odds for some players but they have lost 2 very, very good players in Ronaldo and Tevez. Owen might do alright this season but come on, at least have a look at some other players?
Shrenchel Posted 13 July 2009 Posted 13 July 2009 Even if he doesnt, still think theyre odds on to win the league. That's more to do with the competition than the quality of his team though.
Radovan's Caravan Posted 13 July 2009 Posted 13 July 2009 Take anything that the bungmeister says with a pinch of salt. He said the very same thing in the last window (or was it the last window but one?) and then made two signings. Then he made the 'virus' comments about Real Madrid when, not only was a deal aleady in place re Ronaldo, but he was also one of the prinicipal architects of it. The man is a complete shit
Miquel The Work Geordie Posted 13 July 2009 Posted 13 July 2009 Wanted to see someone big bought with that cash.
Bert Posted 13 July 2009 Posted 13 July 2009 Could be bullshit. He may still have his eye on a certain player, and with him losing Ronaldo and missing out on Benzema, this statement will diffuse any links with players that he may want, and/or stop any other clubs getting their noses in and signing them. Then Fergie can just get on with the business.
AyewJoking Posted 13 July 2009 Posted 13 July 2009 How do you replace the best player in the world? You cant.
Guest Bilo Posted 13 July 2009 Posted 13 July 2009 Surprising. Big year for Rooney. Now that Ferguson no longer has to accomodate Ronaldo's ego to the detriment of Rooney, he could well have the best season of his career. Good news for England I reckon. Even if he doesnt, still think theyre odds on to win the league. That's more to do with the competition than the quality of his team though. Agree with this too. Ancelotti won't make the difference to Chelsea without spending like a drunken sailor on shore leave, Liverpool are skint, Arsenal are further away from mounting a title challenge than they have been for a number of years and Man City are nowhere near ready to mount a title challenge.
Miquel The Work Geordie Posted 13 July 2009 Posted 13 July 2009 How do you replace the best player in the world? You cant. Buy someone better. Ancelotti won't make the difference to Chelsea without spending like a drunken sailor on shore leave, Liverpool are skint, Arsenal are further away from mounting a title challenge than they have been for a number of years and Man City are nowhere near ready to mount a title challenge. Liverpool were a class apart when Torres and Gerrard were fit. They've already sorted out one problem position, all they really need is one or two more signings and I'd expect them to challenge. Even if a club is skint, it doesn't necessarily mean that they can't bring quality in.
Maybes Posted 13 July 2009 Posted 13 July 2009 Should be an interesting season then. 3 horse challenge this year? Arsenal are well off the pace.
Jam Posted 13 July 2009 Posted 13 July 2009 Should be an interesting season then. 3 horse challenge this year?Arsenal are well off the pace. I'm having a cheeky punt on Man city winning the league, with a front three of , Robinho, adebayor and tevez, and possibly Terry, Lescott at the back. Quite a tasty set up they have.
Ultra Posted 14 July 2009 Posted 14 July 2009 Man City will not make the top four. There's no guarantee that all their star signings will gel. I'd be surprised if either Terry or Lescott joined them. United still look short of firepower. Berbatov is inconsistent while both Rooney and Owen are injury-prone. It's possible that either Welbeck nor Macheda may step up on a regular basis, but neither seem quite ready yet. Liverpool look short of depth again. Chelsea look a decent bet right now.
ozleicester Posted 14 July 2009 Posted 14 July 2009 The big four are no more! You read it here first, at least one..maybe two of the big four will not finish in the top four this year. Watch Man City, Everton and Spurs shake them up. Game on!
SOCCERROO FOX Posted 14 July 2009 Posted 14 July 2009 Wanted to see someone big bought with that cash. They will Just saying that so the opposititon won't try to keep the price on them
Guest Chocolate Teapot Posted 14 July 2009 Posted 14 July 2009 How do you replace the best player in the world? You cant. Yes but Messi has never played for Man utd!?
AyewJoking Posted 14 July 2009 Posted 14 July 2009 Messi is the only player who comes close but if Rooney wore a wig then he could be the new Messi.
Fox92 Posted 14 July 2009 Posted 14 July 2009 Although they have only signed 3 players and lost Ronaldo and Tevez, they will still compete for the title if not win it. Be nice if Liverpool won it for the next two years or so.
Finnegan Posted 14 July 2009 Posted 14 July 2009 Yes but Messi has never played for Man utd!? Beat me to it.
Darkzzz_ Posted 14 July 2009 Posted 14 July 2009 Beat me to it. Yeah and me too... Bugger. Fergie is a clever man, he knows how to play this. United will win the title next season and show there is more to them then Ronaldo, he never turned up in the big games anyway.
Samilktray Posted 14 July 2009 Posted 14 July 2009 I cant think of anyone they could buy who'd be worth spending big on.
Miquel The Work Geordie Posted 14 July 2009 Posted 14 July 2009 I cant think of anyone they could buy who'd be worth spending big on. Ribery if he didn't start bumming his dream move to Madrid.
Webbo Posted 14 July 2009 Posted 14 July 2009 With the new 50% tax rate and the poor exchange rate it's not so attractive for top foreign stars to play here now.
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