Almost certainly not true, but...

[Craig_H]

He was in for him. Benzema even toured Old Trafford if the rumours are true. The player picked Real Madrid.

Surely Ferguson could've just outbid Madrid by a few million, given how massive a kitty he's allegedly had to spend?

As for the winger you speak of - Valencia is one, sure. David Silva is a better one though, and consequently would've cost far more.

Ferguson chose Valencia. I dont think he rates him more though.

[Guest]

Ok, so if it hasnt - why, in your opinion, do you think Ferguson's only signings were a midtable midfielder and an unreliable, often crocked striker?

For example, he'd publicly highlighted how much he rated Benzema - so with the best part of £60m in his kitty and with Benzema's fee ony being £35m - why do you not think ferguson was in for him?

He's said that the price was 'inflated'. Now he could have easily been bollocking people but if you look at it, they've lost only two players and have replaced them with Valencia and Owen. Even if both of them are 'subs standard' compared to the ones they had on their books, it doesn't mean he hasn't 'replaced' them.

Ronaldo is an exception, there's no player like that around and Owen still has potential to score goals, even if you and me know he's past it. Fergie could easily have been thinking he could improve both of them and given the opportunity for the other players to chip in with goals.

And one thing I agree on Ferguson, is the fact that the transfer market is out of control this year. Benzema isn't worth the £40m or more he's been bought by Madrid, even if a players' worth is always the amount of money a club is willing to pay for him. Madrid has bought potential there, not a proven goalscorer and IMO Ferguson didn't feel he was worth all that money.

[Craig_H]

He's said that the price was 'inflated'. Now he could have easily been bollocking people but if you look at it, they've lost only two players and have replaced them with Valencia and Owen. Even if both of them are 'subs standard' compared to the ones they had on their books, it doesn't mean he hasn't 'replaced' them.

Ronaldo is an exception, there's no player like that around and Owen still has potential to score goals, even if you and me know he's ****. Fergie could easily have been thinking he could improve both of them and give the opportunity for the other players to chip in with goals.

And one thing I agree on Ferguson, is the fact that the transfer market is out of control this year. Benzema isn't worth the £40m or more he's been paid by Madrid, even if a players' worth is always the amount of money a club is willing to pay for him. Madrid has bought potential there, not a proven goalscorer and IMO Ferguson didn't feel he was worth all that money.

Surely though, if he had such a big kitty, he'd have bought replacements who arent so sub-standard? Are you suggesting he COULD have bought brilliant replacements, but chose sub-standard ones?

[Rich]

Surely Ferguson could've just outbid Madrid by a few million, given how massive a kitty he's allegedly had to spend?

As for the winger you speak of - Valencia is one, sure. David Silva is a better one though, and consequently would've cost far more.

Ferguson chose Valencia. I dont think he rates him more though.

You seem to think that player choice doesn't come into it? Benzema chose Real Madrid. Lyon were happy with the fee. Case closed.

As for Valencia, Fergie been tracking him for at least 8 months. He was clearly one of the players he really wanted to buy - Silva interest is merely speculation. In your opinion Silva is the better player, I think so too, but does that make us right?

One thing that Valencia has over Silva is Premiership experience. I can easliy see the case for bringing in Valencia over Silva.

[Guest]

Surely though, if he had such a big kitty, he'd have bought replacements who arent so sub-standard? Are you suggesting he COULD have bought brilliant replacements, but chose sub-standard ones?

I meant that he didn't want to pay over the odds for Benzema, who isn't proven outside of France by the way. Paying £40m for such a player would have been a risk.

I don't rate Owen and to be honest his signing has surprised me, but Valencia I'm sure will be a worthwhile investment for them.

I'm not sure Craig, there's no evidence (not taking into account the fact that he's still got a massive transfer kitty that he's not used fully) that he has been instructed to spend only a small portion of his transfer money.

Thing is, Owen can turn out to be a great signing if he rediscovers his goalscoring form. For sure though, they'll suffer for not having Ronaldo's goals.

Fergie is experienced enough to trust his ability to pull something out of this season though, I'm sure of that.

[Guest]

Or as Rich is saying, Benzema could have turned them down.

[Craig_H]

You seem to think that player choice doesn't come into it? Benzema chose Real Madrid. Lyon were happy with the fee. Case closed.

As for Valencia, Fergie been tracking him for at least 8 months. He was clearly one of the players he really wanted to buy - Silva interest is merely speculation. In your opinion Silva is the better player, I think so too, but does that make us right?

One thing that Valencia has over Silva is Premiership experience. I can easliy see the case for bringing in Valencia over Silva.

Of course the player has a choice, but there was no word of United having a bid accepted and the player then choosing. In fact, there was no firm bid from the mancs. Unless you can show me something contrary to that?

Furthermore, with Tevez leaving and the mancs needing a striker (and assuming money is virtually no object, as having £80m to spend almost means), why would Ferguson choose to go for Owen, over say, David Villa?

Doesnt make any sense to me. Unless of course, he didnt actually have £80m to spend.

[Craig_H]

I meant that he didn't want to pay over the odds for Benzema, who isn't proven outside of France by the way. Paying £40m for such a player would have been a risk.

I don't rate Owen and to be honest his signing has surprised me, but Valencia I'm sure will be a worthwhile investment for them.

I'm not sure Craig, there's no evidence (not taking into account the fact that he's still got a massive transfer kitty that he's not used fully) that he has been instructed to spend only a small portion of his transfer money.


Thing is, Owen can turn out to be a great signing if he rediscovers his goalscoring form. For sure though, they'll suffer for not having Ronaldo's goals.

Fergie is experienced enough to trust his ability to pull something out of this season though, I'm sure of that.

The evidence is the fact that Ferguson bought Owen and Valencia rather than people like Silva, Villa or Benzema, who most would probably agree are better players, and would've been within Ferguson's price-range - assuming he'd been given all the Ronaldo money.

I just cant honestly envisage a scenario where a clued-up manager as Ferguson obviously is, would 'choose' Valencia over Silva, or Owen over one of Villa/Benzema.

[Neil Young]

The evidence is the fact that Ferguson bought Owen and Valencia rather than people like Silva, Villa or Benzema, who most would probably agree are better players, and would've been within Ferguson's price-range - assuming he'd been given all the Ronaldo money.

I just cant honestly envisage a scenario where a clued-up manager as Ferguson obviously is, would 'choose' Valencia over Silva, or Owen over one of Villa/Benzema.

Perhaps it's an early sign of age-related mental decline.

[Guest]

The evidence is the fact that Ferguson bought Owen and Valencia rather than people like Silva, Villa or Benzema, who most would probably agree are better players, and would've been within Ferguson's price-range - assuming he'd been given all the Ronaldo money.

I just cant honestly envisage a scenario where a clued-up manager as Ferguson obviously is, would 'choose' Valencia over Silva, or Owen over one of Villa/Benzema.

He once sold Paul Ince and Mark Hughes who were highly influential for them during their previous season and put his faith in kids. That was a massive gamble and shows that the man has got balls.

When Cantona retired he bought someone who we all thought was past it in Teddy Sheringham. He knows a thing or two about players and how he can manage them.

[Rich]

Of course the player has a choice, but there was no word of United having a bid accepted and the player then choosing. In fact, there was no firm bid from the mancs. Unless you can show me something contrary to that?

Furthermore, with Tevez leaving and the mancs needing a striker (and assuming money is virtually no object, as having £80m to spend almost means), why would Ferguson choose to go for Owen, over say, David Villa?

Doesnt make any sense to me. Unless of course, he didnt actually have £80m to spend.

I can't prove that United made an offer for Benzema, only what I've read online. However I'm fairly sure he was meant to have had a tour of the ground but decided Madrid was the place for him.

I don't understand the logic of going for Owen, unless he thinks he can keep him fit. But maybe there isn't a striker available that he wants to bring in?

Do we know that David Villa has now decided that he will leave Spain now, because it wasn't that long ago that he decided he wouldn't leave the country.

As per usual this argument will now become circular so I'm leaving it there, and I really don't want to be seen agreeing with Fredo either!

Boils down to this. Ferguson asks for the money to go out and buy Messi for £80m do you think the club would turn around and say to him - sorry but no, we don't have the money?

[Craig_H]

Maybe when he sold Ince and co, there werent clearly available and affordable world class players to bring in, like there are now.

[Craig_H]

I can't prove that United made an offer for Benzema, only what I've read online. However I'm fairly sure he was meant to have had a tour of the ground but decided Madrid was the place for him.

I don't understand the logic of going for Owen, unless he thinks he can keep him fit. But maybe there isn't a striker available that he wants to bring in?

Do we know that David Villa has now decided that he will leave Spain now, because it wasn't that long ago that he decided he wouldn't leave the country.

As per usual this argument will now become circular so I'm leaving it there, and I really don't want to be seen agreeing with Fredo either!

Boils down to this. Ferguson asks for the money to go out and buy Messi for £80m do you think the club would turn around and say to him - sorry but no, we don't have the money?

Yes i do mate.

There's no way, with £700m of debts and huge interest payments, coupled with the worldwide financial climate, that they'd allow him to spend £80m in the market. IMO of course. But i'm convinced of that.

[Rich]

Yes i do mate.

There's no way, with £700m of debts and huge interest payments, coupled with the worldwide financial climate, that they'd allow him to spend £80m in the market. IMO of course. But i'm convinced of that.

Fair enough - I disagree!

Don't ban me when you're mod!

[Guest]

Thanks for not agreeing with me for no particular reason Rich.