MANCHESTER, Dec 22 (Reuters) - Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said on Friday the club's transfer policy remains unaltered under the ownership of the Glazer family.
The Times newspaper had suggested Ferguson was being given
an annual transfer fund of £25 million ($49.13 million)
with a similar figure set aside for a 'superstar' signing.
But Ferguson insisted United's approach to signing players
had not changed since the U.S.-based Glazers took control at Old
Trafford in 2005 with every case judged on its merits.
'There's no figure from the Glazer family,' Ferguson told
reporters. 'There's no figure put at any time. They are
operating the same way that United have always operated.'
The Times claimed to have seen the transfer fund figure in
documents outlining the business plans of the Glazer family.
However, Ferguson, who has hinted at a possible move into
the transfer market during the January window, added:
'If we are after a player we then present the case, as I
would do with (past chairman) Martin Edwards or I would do with
the plc board and I do now with (chief executive) David Gill and
the Glazers. It's exactly the same as it's always been.'
United launch their Christmas holiday fixture programme at
mid-table Aston Villa on Saturday looking to bounce back from
last Sunday's defeat at West Ham United.
That result saw their lead over Chelsea cut to two points
but Ferguson is happy with his side's position and believes they
have the attributes to outlast the champions in the title race.
'We have to accept in a championship race there is going to
be a disappointment along the way,' he said. 'That's the making
of your team, to recover from these things. We have done it many
times, so tomorrow is a nice challenge for us.'
Ferguson added: 'I think the league this season will be the
long haul and that's a good thing, because we have got youth in
our side, we have got strength in our side and historically we
do okay in the second half of seasons.
'So getting to this part of the season in the position we
are, I think we should be pleased with that.
'You could be over-critical and say we threw three points
away against West Ham but that doesn't get you anywhere. What's
done is done.
'What we have to do is say: `What's going to be our target
now?'. Winning our next game is an obvious target but the most
important thing is to win the league and we are capable of doing
that.'
Patrice Evra may come back into consideration for United
following a calf injury sustained earlier this month.
