Manchester United's owners insist boss Sir Alex Ferguson has "signifi-
cant" funds available and that they do not expect him to fritter them
away. United received £80m from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo
but Ferguson has only spent a fraction of that money. "The manager
has a significant amount of money to invest,"said spokesman Tehsin
Neyani."We are talking about a net amount of about £60m.That cash
can be reinvested in the squad." United have so far kept transfer dea-
lings to a minimum after selling Ronaldo for a world record fee.
They have acquired striker Michael Owen for free as well as winger
Antonio Valencia,midfielder Gabriel Obertan and forward Mame Bira-
m Diouf. United had been linked with French striker Karim Benzema,
Brazilian forward Douglas Costa,French playmaker Franck Ribery and
Spain striker David Villa, but Benzema joined Real Madrid for £35m
and United decided not to pursue the other trio.
United also missed out on securing the services of fans' favourite Ca-
rlos Tevez on a permanent basis.
Tevez has joined Emmanuel Adebayor,Gareth Barry and Roque Sant-
a Cruz at Manchester City,with United's near neighbours having spent
about £80m so far this summer.
However,Ferguson has stated he is happy with his squad and will not
pay over the odds for new recruits.
"The manager has not been able to locate players that fit the Manch-
ester United mindset," Neyani added.
"You don't want to pay for unmotivated players not willing to give th-
eir all."
There had been speculation a portion of the £80m transfer fee for
Ronaldo would go on paying off part of the near £700m debt the
club has acquired.
But Neyani insists the money is available despite the debt United ha-
ve acquired as a result of the Glazers' takeover in 2005.
We are talking about a net amount of about £60m. That cash can be
reinvested in the squad. The point is there is money coming in Tehsin
cant" funds available and that they do not expect him to fritter them
away. United received £80m from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo
but Ferguson has only spent a fraction of that money. "The manager
has a significant amount of money to invest,"said spokesman Tehsin
Neyani."We are talking about a net amount of about £60m.That cash
can be reinvested in the squad." United have so far kept transfer dea-
lings to a minimum after selling Ronaldo for a world record fee.
They have acquired striker Michael Owen for free as well as winger
Antonio Valencia,midfielder Gabriel Obertan and forward Mame Bira-
m Diouf. United had been linked with French striker Karim Benzema,
Brazilian forward Douglas Costa,French playmaker Franck Ribery and
Spain striker David Villa, but Benzema joined Real Madrid for £35m
and United decided not to pursue the other trio.
United also missed out on securing the services of fans' favourite Ca-
rlos Tevez on a permanent basis.
Tevez has joined Emmanuel Adebayor,Gareth Barry and Roque Sant-
a Cruz at Manchester City,with United's near neighbours having spent
about £80m so far this summer.
However,Ferguson has stated he is happy with his squad and will not
pay over the odds for new recruits.
"The manager has not been able to locate players that fit the Manch-
ester United mindset," Neyani added.
"You don't want to pay for unmotivated players not willing to give th-
eir all."
There had been speculation a portion of the £80m transfer fee for
Ronaldo would go on paying off part of the near £700m debt the
club has acquired.
But Neyani insists the money is available despite the debt United ha-
ve acquired as a result of the Glazers' takeover in 2005.
We are talking about a net amount of about £60m. That cash can be
reinvested in the squad. The point is there is money coming in Tehsin
Neyani - Glazer family spokesman "We do have debt to service and
carry a significant amount of debt but our interest payments are around
£43.3m a year while our operating profit was £80m topped by an
extra £25m from transfer profits," he said.
As well as having money available, Ferguson has been boosted by the
As well as having money available, Ferguson has been boosted by the
news that midfielder Park Ji-Sung is set to sign a new contract. Park's
existing deal runs out at the end of the 2009-10 season, but chief exe-
cutive David Gill said the 28-year-old was close to agreeing terms.
"In his time with us he's developed his technical and tactical abilities
and done very well. He's become a very important player for us and
had a fantastic career with us," Ferguson said.
Meanwhile, veteran midfielder Ryan Giggs insists United can cope
with the departures of Ronaldo and Tevez and defend their Premier
League title.
"Since I came into the team the likes of Bryan Robson,Mark Hughes,
Eric Cantona, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Roy Keane and David Beckham
have left the club," said Giggs.
"But that is what the manager is so good at reshaping and re-energ-
ising the team.
"Carlos and Cristiano were great players but we move on.As players
it's like ships in the night. You just get on with it."
"In his time with us he's developed his technical and tactical abilities
and done very well. He's become a very important player for us and
had a fantastic career with us," Ferguson said.
Meanwhile, veteran midfielder Ryan Giggs insists United can cope
with the departures of Ronaldo and Tevez and defend their Premier
League title.
"Since I came into the team the likes of Bryan Robson,Mark Hughes,
Eric Cantona, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Roy Keane and David Beckham
have left the club," said Giggs.
"But that is what the manager is so good at reshaping and re-energ-
ising the team.
"Carlos and Cristiano were great players but we move on.As players
it's like ships in the night. You just get on with it."
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