Young completes Man Utd move

[Rigadon]

Good luck and well played kid. 

[5ft811st2 Durham]

The thing about Fergie -as much as it pains me to say it- is he's pretty much without equal when it comes to rebuilding a squad.

That's because most managers don't a £100 million a season budget to work with.

[Redman]

The thing about Fergie -as much as it pains me to say it- is he's pretty much without equal when it comes to rebuilding a squad.

That's because most managers don't a £100 million a season budget to work with.

Nor do they have an already strong squad that allows large mistakes to go un-noticed/be written-off.

[Proposition Joe]

Good luck Ash.  Respectful comments about us too.

I think he is potentially a much better player than we saw.  He probably won't be a dribble past the whole team winger, like he threatened to be when he first joined, but his technique is superb, especially as far as British players go (whenever he received a pass, I was always confident the ball would stick, no matter how tight the space).  Under Fergie's guidance he could really push on.

[Lizz]

I thought his comments about us were respectful too.  I remember seeing him interviewed on SSN once about the fact he was at school with Lewis Hamilton. The SSN reporter was encouraging him to say they were best mates, and Ash said something about knowing him but having different interests. He wasn't trying to be a smart arse or point scoring, just politely telling it like it was.

[hawkeye]

Siralex will turn him into the great player he has the talent to become

[KevinGage]

The thing about Fergie -as much as it pains me to say it- is he's pretty much without equal when it comes to rebuilding a squad.

That's because most managers don't a £100 million a season budget to work with.

Nor do they have an already strong squad that allows large mistakes to go un-noticed/be written-off.

Point is, they've spent far less than the sides they are directly competing with. That's been the case since at least 2003. Even during GH's years the bindippers often outspent them.

I can only recall that period between about 2001-2002 when they spent big on the likes of Van Nistelrooy, Veron, Barthez and Ferdinand that they punched anything like their weight in the transfer market over an extended period. Prior to that -and indeed since then-  it's been one off big deals here and there, supplemented with kids through the ranks and bargain basement deals.

Since the Glazers took over they haven't exactly gone to town in the transfer market either.

I hate the red faced miserable barsteward  as much as anyone, but credit where it's due.

[Mellin]

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Cheers Ash.

[rooboy316]

Good bit of business for Villa - I'd love to see what Albrighton is capable of given the opportunity.  I think he is a ready made replacement, so the funds can be invested in other positions.

Diving, wayward set pieces and petulance aside, AY has been immence in terms of creativity and assists.  It's invaluable having someone so adept at running at defenders as well as drawing defenders in, which made life easier for the rest of the team.  Albrighton can potentially fill that role just as well, and as a pure winger, can deliver a better final ball than AY.

Good bit of business for Villa, although I can't help but wonder what a midfield of Downing, Barry, Milner and Young could have achieved had we held on to them all. 

[sidcowans10]

I m kinda sad to see him go but for me the time is right. It's a great deal for someone in the last year of a contract.
I will have some fond memories of him but I will always remember him as a one good game in three kind of player. I think he thinks he is better than he is but for years of giving us his all I wish him well. In the end his petulance , whining, diving and awful free kicks undermined the good things he did. But maybe AF will sort this out and he will become a top international that spurs England to something good.
I will always remember Everton away .....

[olaftab]

Yes. In his interview he praised our club and the fans.

yes patronising little git.

[olaftab]

Unfortunately Liverpool seem to be paying more money for players who aren't as good.

Fortunately!

[Redman]

The thing about Fergie -as much as it pains me to say it- is he's pretty much without equal when it comes to rebuilding a squad.

That's because most managers don't a £100 million a season budget to work with.

Nor do they have an already strong squad that allows large mistakes to go un-noticed/be written-off.

Point is, they've spent far less than the sides they are directly competing with. That's been the case since at least 2003. Even during GH's years the bindippers often outspent them.

I can only recall that period between about 2001-2002 when they spent big on the likes of Van Nistelrooy, Veron, Barthez and Ferdinand that they punched anything like their weight in the transfer market over an extended period. Prior to that -and indeed since then-  it's been one off big deals here and there, supplemented with kids through the ranks and bargain basement deals.

Since the Glazers took over they haven't exactly gone to town in the transfer market either.

I hate the red faced miserable barsteward  as much as anyone, but credit where it's due.

I won't deny him credit but at the same time, let's not pretend circumstances didn't conspire heavily in his favour.

When Liverpool's dominance ended, they left a power vacuum that the Mancs were best-placed to fill because at that time, they were the biggest spenders. That coincided with a golden generation of young players, the inception of the premier league and Sky money, and a highly successful floatation.

They've been the best managed football club for the past 20 years and their manager, to his credit, has made the most of the competitive advantages he's been afforded. He may not have spent as much as his rivals but he hasn't had to. The core of that squad fell into his lap meaning he's never had to spread his resources. Instead, he's had the luxury of cherry-picking players to supplement it.

[Eigentor]

I can only recall that period between about 2001-2002 when they spent big on the likes of Van Nistelrooy, Veron, Barthez and Ferdinand that they punched anything like their weight in the transfer market over an extended period. Prior to that -and indeed since then-  it's been one off big deals here and there, supplemented with kids through the ranks and bargain basement deals.

They spent quite a lot in 2007-8 on the likes of Anderson, Nani and Berbatov. Granted, compared to Chelsea and Man City, they're prudent, but Fergie likes to spend a few bob now and then (certainly compared to Wenger).

---

I've no problem with Ashley leaving. He has done his best here and leaves for a better club. The Milner and possible Downing transfer is more disquieting -- players leaving after a single good season. We coped well after selling Barry, not so well after selling Milner. Cashing in on a good player might be a good piece of business sometimes, but selling our best player every season isn't a recipe for success. It's a trend that can't go on.

[Redman]

I can only recall that period between about 2001-2002 when they spent big on the likes of Van Nistelrooy, Veron, Barthez and Ferdinand that they punched anything like their weight in the transfer market over an extended period. Prior to that -and indeed since then-  it's been one off big deals here and there, supplemented with kids through the ranks and bargain basement deals.

They spent quite a lot in 2007-8 on the likes of Anderson, Nani and Berbatov. Granted, compared to Chelsea and Man City, they're prudent, but Fergie likes to spend a few bob now and then (certainly compared to Wenger).

He's broken the British transfer record 3 times. Which isn't unreasonable considering how long he's been there. But to put it into perspective, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle, Chelsea and City have each broken it once since he's been at Old Trafford.