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Fergie: City salaries ‘stupid’

2012-05-15 11:11:04

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has hit out at rivals Manchester City’s tendency to buy players for massive sums, saying that the Citizens pay ‘stupid’ salaries

Fergie: Stupid City!

United lost the Premier League title to City on the final day of the season, after big signings like Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Carlos Tevez did the business for the Citizens over the course of the season.

Ferguson’s annoyance can be linked to last season’s transfers, when United thought they had a deal for Arsenal’s Samir Nasri wrapped up, only for City to come in at the last minute with a better offer.

Ferguson told MUTV: “We know City are going to spend fortunes, pay stupid money and silly salaries. We know that happens. We can’t do anything about that.

“We are not like other clubs who can spend fortunes on proven goods.

“We invest in players who will be with the club for a long time, who will create the character of the club and the excitement for our fans.

“We are good at that and we are going to continue that way.”

United’s chief executive David Gill insisted the Red Devils could afford to buy big names, but said City would have to start considering the Financial Fair Play rules that will soon restrict how much money clubs can spend.

Gill said: “Funds are available without a doubt.

“We can still pay very well in terms of wages and transfer fees.

“Clearly City have raised the bar. We have seen that with what they are prepared to pay for players and to them.

“But we need to move on. Financial Fair Play is just around the corner.

“It is a flagship programme for Michel Platini and how that is implemented and the sanctions that are imposed are going to be interesting.”