Ferguson blasts rivals for kamikaze spending sprees
MANCHESTER United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has launched a thinly-veiled attack on Manchester City by accusing some Premier League clubs of “kamikaze” spending.
Ferguson did not mention the Sheikh Mansour-backed Eastlands outfit by name as he railed against mega-rich owners splashing their millions with little restraint.
But it is widely believed he was referring to his local rivals, who yesterday took their
summer spending to £125m by signing England midfielder James Milner.
“Over the last two or three years we have seen very wealthy owners become part of football clubs and therefore go on this kamikaze effort to spend their money,” said Ferguson.
“It is amazing the amounts of money that are being bandied about in the present day game. I don’t see it abating. The kind of spending we are seeing at the moment will be here for two or three years, until such time as they understand you can’t necessarily achieve all the time by spending.”
Ironically, Ferguson made his remarks about reckless spending at a media conference to present Bebe, a player he admits he signed without ever seeing him play, live or on video.
“On this occasion I didn’t watch him,” he said of the Portuguese striker, a £7m arrival from Vitoria Guimaraes. “It’s the first time I’ve done it. Normally I see plenty of video footage but our scouting department is very good and sometimes you have to go on instinct.”