SLURGUSON has accused big-spending Manchester City of ruining the transfer market as he desperately seeks to prevent the noisy neighbours sabotaging Manchester United’s season.
The United boss claimed the transfer market was insane and City could buy any player they wanted on the eve of what could be the defining day of the Premier League title race.
With United looking for a huge favour from Newcastle United who entertain City on Tyneside today, while his own side meet Swansea City at Old Trafford, Ferguson faced up to the reality of the rapidly growing power base in the sky blue half of Manchester.
City are flushed with countless millions from owner Sheikh Mansour, and Ferguson knows the revitalised enemy won’t be going away.
It’s hard enough coming to terms with the possibility that United’s fate could be decided by his ultimate nightmare – losing out on goal difference – without contemplating the grim reality that City will have the advantage in summer transfer matters.
United and City will be going head to head for the best talent available, with Ferguson fearing a similar conclusion to last summer’s battle for Arsenal’s Samir Nasri – the Frenchman accepting the greater financial rewards on offer at the Etihad Stadium.
Ferguson said: “The transfer market has been insane for a while. I think clubs like Manchester City have created that. They can buy all the players. They can put a marker on all the players they want. It makes it difficult for clubs to be sensible.
“I don’t think there’s any chance of it calming down, no chance. And as for the financial fair play rules I can’t honestly see how they will work.”
Ferguson is looking to strengthen his squad with up to three players to compete with the latest rivals to the Old Trafford title supremacy during his 25-year reign.
He added: “There is no doubt we will be bringing players in, one, two, maybe three who knows? But no one can match City’s financial strength. You have to accept that and so we do it in a different way.
“We will try and look at younger players with the potential to develop. We are good at that.”
He accepts that you can reap the rewards of splashing the big cash, the perfect example being United’s £80 million sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid.
Ronaldo’s sensational goalscoring record has helped Jose Mourinho’s side wrest the Spanish title away from Barcelona.
Ferguson added: “There is only value if you are successful. Real Madrid spent £80 million on Ronaldo and the success he and the club has had justifies that. They would have probably paid £160 million if they knew they were going to get this.
“We had an agreement that he would be going after staying for another year. Never mind £80 million I’m saying to myself now that it should have been £800 million.”
Before he plans for the future Ferguson has the present to contend with. The advantage, he insists, is with City as they top the table on goal difference following Monday night’s 1-0 derby win with just two games to go.
Time after time Ferguson tries to instil into his players the importance of never easing off and scoring more goals even with games well won. Former player Gary Neville told Sky Sports viewers last week that it would be Ferguson’s worst nightmare to lose the league on goal difference.
“That’s right,” he admitted. “You think of the opportunities we have had in some games. We have been frivolous.”
There have also been lapses of concentration at the other end of the pitch, with Ferguson bemoaning the three late goals in the 6-1 home defeat against City. Although if United do miss out on the title the loss of a 4-2 lead against Everton will come back to haunt him.
Everton scored twice in the last eight minutes to snatch an unlikely 4-4 draw a fortnight ago.
He added: “That game against Everton was crazy, absolutely stupid. We scored some of the best goals we have scored all season and then go and throw it away.
“It looks like we are going to lose the league on goal difference. But nobody who goes to Newcastle gets an easy game. I hope it’s very difficult for City.” Express
CARLO ANCELOTTI SWOOP FOR EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp would like the former Arsenal front man on a permanent basis. But it is thought the White Hart Lane club can’t afford the total package
PSG want Man City striker Emmanuel Adebayor.
The wealthy French club are prepared to meet his £170,000-a-week wages – but only if City will accept a bid of £12million.
City paid more than double that for Adebayor, who has spent the season on loan at Tottenhan.
Italian clubs Juventus and AC Milan have also expressed interest in the Togo striker but the strongest interest is coming from PSG – where former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is in charge.
PSG were keen on Adebayor, 28, before he made his loan move to Tottenham.
They have also been eyeing another City striker – Carlos Tevez – but Adebayor is now seen as a more obtainable target.
Real Madrid are reportedly warning off Chelsea, Manchester City and Paris St Germain, who are all thought to be interested in 24-year-old striker Gonzalo Higuain. Footy latest
Yaya wary of City slumping
Yaya Toure is wary of Manchester City's final two games, saying it would be a "disaster" if they fail to win the Premier League trophy.
Roberto Mancini's men are top of the standings on goal difference after overcoming Manchester United's eight-point lead with a 1-0 derby win on Monday night.
The Ivory Coast midfielder Toure understands lifting the title is now in City's hands as they approach two crucial games with a trip to a rampant Newcastle side looming on Sunday before they host QPR next weekend.
Toure told Sunday People: "We know what our mentality must be in these last two games: win and win.
"Now the title is in our hands and it will be a disaster if we do not pick up all six points."
He added: "In our squad there are no nerves. We have experienced players, experienced enough to avoid feeling any pressure in the decisive 180 minutes," he said.
"The title is there for us to win and I have no doubt that City have the players to be champions for several years.
"Winning the FA Cup last year was important but winning the Premier League would be a dream fulfilled."
Local firms benefit as Manchester City claim to be world's most eco-friendly business
Search for Football Memorabilia on eBay Manchester City may be locked in a nail-biting battle for the Premier League title – but when it comes to saving the planet, they are already top of the league.
The Blues have gone green by turning boot boxes into loft installation in Newton Heath, sending shirts to Ethiopia and using grass cuttings from the Etihad Stadium for compost.
Officials now believe the club could be the most eco-friendly business in the world after setting City on the path to self-sustainability in 2004. As a result, players like Mario Balotelli, Carlos Tevez and Joe Hart now contribute to the Blues’ green drive, along with the rest of City’s staff.
And Pete Bradshaw, the club’s head of corporate responsibility, said that local businesses have struck gold on the back of their commitment.
Pete, who lives in Greenfield, Oldham, said: "We try and support the local economy where we can. If we are going to spend money on goods and services we try and make sure as much of it stays around here as possible.
"For example – our stationary supplier is just across the road and they employ a huge number of people just on the back of our contract alone. Most of our carpets were made in Rochdale, our wood is all turned and joined in Ardwick, all our paint is manufactured in Stockport. The grass cuttings from the stadium and Carrington are turned into compost in Bolton and sold to community projects."
Pete added: "We seek to be responsible and believe we do very well. The aim is to be sustainable and there is always work to be done but we believe we are up there with the best in the world."
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[/spoiler]OTHER BOLLOX
Manchester United appear to be favourites to sign Benfica's 24-year-old Argentine playmaker Nicolas Gaitan, according to the player's agent. Metro
Liverpool are apparently prepared to offer Dutch international Dirk Kuyt plus cash for Fulham's 29-year-old American international forward Clint Dempsey. Caught Offside
Chelsea are monitoring the situation of 25-year-old defender Danny Simpson at Newcastle after it emerged he will be put up for sale this summer. Sunday Mirror
Arsene Wenger hints he plans to offload Marouane Chamakh, 28, and Ju-Young Park, 26, in the summer, after Arsenal agreed a deal to sign Lukas Podolski. Metro
Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham are all chasing 21-year-old rising Dutch star Luuk de Jong, who has scored 32 goals for Steve McClaren's FC Twente. Sunday Mirror.
Manchester United appear to have won the race for 23-year-old Shinji Kagawa after the Borussia Dortmund midfielder was quoted as confirming the switch to Old Trafford. Inside Futbol
Chris Hughton is expected to become the new manager of West Brom, even if Birmingham win promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs. The Sun
Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay says the club are still in talks with striker Didier Drogba over a new contract. talkShit
Sir Trevor Brooking denies that a past feud with Harry Redknapp cost the Tottenham boss the chance of becoming England manager. Sunday Express
Steve Kean insists he will not quit Blackburn even if they go down this season. The Sun
Liverpool defender Daniel Agger says the team have only themselves to blame for their FA Cup final defeat by Chelsea by starting the match slowly. talkShit
Bolton's Fabrice Muamba says he no longer has anything to fear after recovering from a cardiac arrest against Tottenham in March. Metro
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