By Ross Mackiewicz.
Manchester United chief executive David Gill has insisted that Sir Alex Ferguson will have funds to strengthen his squad this summer. The amount of Ferguson’s war chest is somewhat unknown but having already agreed deals to sign Chris Smalling from Fulham and Javier Hernandez from Mexican side Club Deportivo Guadalajara it seems that The Red Devils are not at all through with their transfer business. Gill also rubbished claims that United’s debts will affect any spending over the summer months and United’s hierarchy will fully support any transfer activity.
“I can look you in the eye and tell you straight that we have the transfer funds available to the manager.” assured Gill
“Targets have been discussed already, as you’d expect, but it’s not our style to talk about names and it never will be.”
The chief executive who has been part of the United furniture for over 13 years also gave his view on the ongoing protests against the ownership of the club from United supporters. The 52 year old believes that all supporters have the right to vent their feelings but is somewhat reluctant to favour the green and gold scarves that have been adorned by the United faithful to honour the clubs roots of Newton Heath, insisting he would prefer to see the traditional red and white littering Old Trafford.
“I’ve asked the players and they say they are not distracted, but if your question is ‘Would I prefer all red and white instead of gold and green when you have a full stadium and you are playing host to famous opposition.”
“If the question is ‘Would I prefer not to look out of my office and see the scarves they are selling on the street’, of course I’d prefer that. But as Alex has said, people have a right to protest.”
“Nobody is going to stop that, and in the ground itself we are not going to stop that, but I do object to the obstruction of peoples’ view by some banner when they have paid good money for their seats.”
Meanwhile United kept up the pace on title rivals Chelsea by beating Sunderland at the Stadium of Light thanks to a first half striker by Portuguese winger Nani. The result followed Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Liverpool which will now see the League title decided on the final day of the Premier League campaign for only the fifth ever time. Chelsea will entertain Wigan at Stamford Bridge this Sunday who lead The Red Devils by a single point. Meanwhile Tony Pulis’s Stoke City are the visitors to Old Trafford for what should be a thrilling climax to another scintillating Premier League campaign.
Who do you think should be on United’s shopping list this summer? Do they need to strengthen? Let us know your thoughts.
