Ferguson rules out offseason signings
Source: Agencies |
April 8, 2010, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
MANCHESTER United manager Alex Ferguson has ruled out making significant additions to the squad in the offseason.
Ferguson has spent only around a quarter of the 80 million pounds (US$122 million) brought in by Cristiano Ronaldo's sale to Real Madrid last year, in sharp contrast to the lavish spending by Manchester City's Abu Dhabi ownership.
And the Glazer family owners, who have burdened the club with debts of 709.5 million pounds, have come under pressure from fans to provide Ferguson with cash to strengthen the squad despite winning the last three English Premier League titles.
"No wholesale buying is needed as we have a very good squad that just needs tweaking here and there," Ferguson said. "Looking at potential squad additions is an ongoing process - it is not just confined to a certain time of year - although we obviously don't reveal our plans.
"We have some ideas at the moment but not many players will be joining the club. In any case, I think the transfer market prices have been terribly inflated over the last year."
The need to reinforce the squad was highlighted by Saturday's 1-2 loss to Chelsea as the team struggled for firepower in the absence of injured striker Wayne Rooney.
Doubts have also been raised about the reliance on midfielder Ryan Giggs, 36, and the 35-year-old duo Paul Scholes and Gary Neville.
Ferguson has yet to identify a long-term replacement for the 39-year-old goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who has just signed a new deal until the end of next season.
(AP)
Ferguson has spent only around a quarter of the 80 million pounds (US$122 million) brought in by Cristiano Ronaldo's sale to Real Madrid last year, in sharp contrast to the lavish spending by Manchester City's Abu Dhabi ownership.
And the Glazer family owners, who have burdened the club with debts of 709.5 million pounds, have come under pressure from fans to provide Ferguson with cash to strengthen the squad despite winning the last three English Premier League titles.
"No wholesale buying is needed as we have a very good squad that just needs tweaking here and there," Ferguson said. "Looking at potential squad additions is an ongoing process - it is not just confined to a certain time of year - although we obviously don't reveal our plans.
"We have some ideas at the moment but not many players will be joining the club. In any case, I think the transfer market prices have been terribly inflated over the last year."
The need to reinforce the squad was highlighted by Saturday's 1-2 loss to Chelsea as the team struggled for firepower in the absence of injured striker Wayne Rooney.
Doubts have also been raised about the reliance on midfielder Ryan Giggs, 36, and the 35-year-old duo Paul Scholes and Gary Neville.
Ferguson has yet to identify a long-term replacement for the 39-year-old goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who has just signed a new deal until the end of next season.
(AP)
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