There has been a certain sense of inevitability about Manchester City’s rise over the past four years. After all, while football has its own financial peculiarities, a market is a market is a market. Money talks in football just as in any other industry, and City’s money is singing from the rooftops this season. On the brink of a first domestic title in 44 years, City can thank Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth for the club’s recent success.
It was odd though that Sir Alex Ferguson should choose the week in which City effectively secured a first title since 1968 to complain about the Blues’ spending. Here, a manager who has spent quite literally hundreds of millions in the market over the years, can hardly have cause to complain.
Moreover, the Scot’s complaint would have far more legitimacy – any legitimacy some might add – had the 70-year-old not spent the past seven years supporting a Glazer regime that has sucked more than £500 million out of Manchester United in debt related costs.
No wonder there has been renewed talk by supporters of the Glazers’ affect on United’s competitiveness in the week since City disposed of Ferguson’s side. The sight of Sir Alex’ team meekly surrendering the Premier League title at Eastlands, without managing a single shot on target, while Ferguson left some of his most effective players on the sidelines, was genuinely bewildering.
In truth United played scared; Ferguson running for the sanctuary of a scoreless draw that never appeared. United’s manager, much like the fans, is fearful not only of City’s superiority on the pitch, but seemingly the looming change in hegemony – as Roberto Mancini put it so eloquently this week – in Manchester and England.
Yet, Ferguson is unable to move on from the now tiresomely clichéd excuse that there is no value in the market. Only the foolish now buy into that line given the dozens of examples of ‘value’, let alone bone fide quality, which United has missed over the past six years.
“It’s been an insane transfer market for a long time and I think clubs like City create that,” said Ferguson.
“They can buy all the players and put a marker on all the players and that makes it difficult for clubs then to be reasonable. There’s no chance of that calming down and I don’t see how the financial fair play can work. No-one can match City’s financial power – no-one.
“It’s not just about the top line transfer fees, it’s about the amount of money clubs can offer in wages. Players are being offered stupid money, the type of sums that are hard to turn down. We can make a player a very good offer, but unless he wants to come to United for football reasons he is not going to say no to stupid money from somewhere else.
“We have to accept that, so we do it a different way. We’ll try to look at young players with the potential to develop in the club, which we’re good at, so we’ll stay with that.”
While City’s wealth will buy the club trophies, closer to home Ferguson has continued to deny that the Glazer family’s tight-fisted budget has made any impact on United’s competitiveness. This despite the family allowing Ferguson to spend less than half of the net amount per season invested in the six years prior to the 2005 Glazer takeover.
What’s more, the Glazers regime has impacted United’s budget not against a backdrop of Ferguson’s protest, but with his vocal support. United’s squad quality has eroded, while Ferguson’s ability to recover from transfer market misses.
Yet, the excuses come thick from those proffering an alternate line. United’s loss to Wigan Athletic last month, and the disastrous late capitulation against Everton, is little more than a ‘temporary changing of the guard’; a short-term ‘loss of form’ at the worst possibly time. Blame the players, blame the referee, blame injuries. Blame anybody bar manager and his paymasters.
The wider context of United’s cataclysmic European campaigns is relevant though, especially when taken together with the Reds’ performances against Manchester’s other team. When viewed in the prism of matches against City this season, or those with Europe’s second-tier clubs, United’s regression is stark. This is true despite the 86 Premier League points garnered in a relatively poor quality league.
Defeat to City has a way of clarifying the collective consciousness though. And while there is nothing United, Ferguson, or the supporters can do about another club’s financial model, the cumulative effect of £7.5 million net spent per season under the Glazer regime, while rival clubs pump investment into the team, could do little but reduce the club’s competitiveness.
It is a truism that not only City, but Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Sunderland, Aston Villa and even Stoke City have each spent more, net, than United since 2005.
And in the week that Cristiano Ronaldo secured the La Liga title, United supporters were given a taste of what has been lost – and not replaced – during the Glazers’ tenure. The Real Madrid forward has scored 45 goals in 37 La Liga games this season. Interesting, then, that Ferguson should believe Ronaldo still represents ‘value’ at £80, £160 or even £800 million.
“You can only assess value on success,” added Ferguson, who sold Ronaldo to Madrid in summer 2009.
“Like Real Madrid with Ronaldo. They’ll be saying ‘we’d have paid £160m for him with all he’s done’. At more than a goal a game he’s been a fantastic buy for them. At the time we thought £80m was not bad. Now I’m saying to myself it should have been a lot more. He’s been such a fantastic buy for them, maybe we should have asked for £800m.”
United didn’t genuinely replace Ronaldo, although there was once much talk of the ‘Ronaldo money’ being available for Ferguson to spend. Yet, mindful of working under the PLC regime that required layers of sign-off on every deal, Ferguson now enjoys working with a single paymaster, whatever the budget. His aggressive support for the American family may never fully be explained.
Increasingly, Ferguson has insisted, with no concern for historically accuracy, that United does not spend large sums on players, while promoting ‘youth’ as a method of bucking a market that offers no value. It’s hogwash of course, as those who completed the analysis presented in Soccernomics and Pay as you Play will attest. Money spent on transfers and wages counts for much: between 72 per cent and 89 per cent of success, in fact.
Record transfer signings, of one form or another, Roy Keane, Paul Ince, Gary Pallister, Rio Ferdinand, juan Veron, Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney might disagree too. Fergie has always spent money – some good, some bad. According to some he offers the best ‘value’ of any manager around. Who could disagree?
Which brings us back, not only to the Glazers parsimony over the past six years, but Abu Dhabi’s dizzying ability to outspend all others. ‘Tick tock’ mocked City’s supporters over recent years, suggesting that success was only a matter of time. Indeed, bar Queens Park Rangers pulling off a miraculous result at Eastlands in a week, United’s hegemony will have been broken.
Worse, those supporters hoping for a response by United in the market will be disappointed at early indicators of Ferguson’s likely transfer strategy this summer. While City may spend “insane” money, United will invest in youth. It may be some time before City’s superiority is matched.
Spending under the Glazer regime
United’s net spend 2005 – 2012 (in relevant financial year):
- 20005/06 – £1m
- 2006/07 – £4.1m
- 2007/08 – £26.55m
- 2008/09 – £33.75m
- 2009/10 – (-)£64.5m
- 2010/11 – £13.55m
- 2010/12 – £38.15m
Net spend under Glazer regime 2005 – 2012 = £52.6m
Net spend per season under Glazer regime = £7.51mNet spend 1998 – 2005 (in relevant financial year):
- 1998/99 – £25.95m
- 1999/00 – £16.05m
- 2000/01 – (-)£8.3m
- 2001/02 – £29.3m
- 2002/03 – £27.05m
- 2003/04 – £13.35m
- 2004/05 – £21.35m
Net spend under PLC regime 1998-2005 = £124.93m
Net spend per season under PLC = £17.85m
Fergie loses sight of financial reality… and title
(279 posts) (21 voices)-
Posted 1 year ago #
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Alfonso Bedoya
Moderator
Get ready for a barrage of bullshit rationalizing from the Glazer apologists...
I'm nearly done.
Last year for me... either Ferguson and the Glazers show the fans some respect... or I'm finished.
"Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don't need badges. I don't have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching' tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you."Posted 1 year ago # -
DamnedUnited
Member
Posted by unregistered user: DamnedUnitedOr alternatively, get ready for the “In SAF we trust” or “SAF, the miracle worker” apologists to strike back.
SAF has been awesome for the club, but if he’s not willing to spend on players, he must at least spend on supporting staff/coaching staff or revamp the current setup to bring in some fresh ideas.
442 and tally-ho won’t work forever.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Herbie Simms
Member Posted by unregistered user: Herbie SimmsThis is a great article. I have been saying these things over and over but you all think I’m stupid. I coach football, I know what I’m talking about. SAF made some very bad team selections, team formations and tactics at crucial times this season. A big mistake that he is making is that he refuses to buy players over 26 years old. Therefore, we are left with a team of inexperienced youngsters and way over-aged players and he expects to win the Champions league. Man.City, Chelsea, Tottenham, Real Madrid buy experienced and proven players, thats why they do so well. SAF failed to motivate his players, just look at the game against Swansea. In the second half we just gave up when we should have been looking for three or four more goals. As I see it, QPR will get the one point they need to stay up at Man.City but we are not going to win at Sunderland. SAF will get no favours from the mistakes he has made this season.
Posted 1 year ago # -
richard
Member Posted by unregistered user: richardYou greedy little twit! Ferguson has delivered so many damn trophies it’s almost a little embarrassing. At what point will fans like you accept that maybe, just maybe, there are other teams in this league and even the great Barcelona didn’t win LaLiga this season nor did Bayern , oops that two years in a row and AC Milan was replaced by Juventus. Dam Man, this is just life, grow up and take your thumb out of your mouth. Oh my, Liverpool pay 35M for Carrol, 20M on Henderson etc etc yet they are 34 points back–YES 34 points back of United. City have spent over 400M in the past few years and they will likely win the EPL but they have the same amount of points as United. This team had to endure the loss of the best defender in the EPL and their captain Vidic; they lose their entire midfield for the vast majority of the season and on and on and on.Shut Up and get on board !!
Posted 1 year ago # -
19 and Counting
Member
SAF has performed miracles with this squad and he is likely the main reason we are where we are in the table. But our European form has been shocking and we were dumped out early from all the cups, as well as suffering a couple of embarrassing results this season at Old Trafford. Who knows where we'd be right now in the table if Arsenal, Chelsea and maybe even Pool had good seasons. No, we did OK this season given the circumstances but for how long can this continue? Do we play Scholes and Giggs until they're 50 just because there is supposedly no value in the market?
SAF has done amazing things for this club and has got us through the last few seasons. But he has to take the blame as well for some poor decisions with formation and tactics. Playing players out of position - Phil Jones being the obvious choice - and certain squad choices have been baffling. Michael Owen's continued stay and freezing Berbatov out of the first team are equally puzzling. It looks like DDG was a good transfer after a bit of a wait but I think the 30+ million spent on AY and JOnes could have been beeter utilised. Of course, his relaince on our current central MF is the most baffling of all and it;s been obvious to all supporters that we've needed to add quality for a few seasons now.
Anyways, I'm not disappointed that we'll finish 2nd to City but disappointed that City handed us the title and we threw it away. What past United sides would have done the same?
Posted 1 year ago # -
ja
Member Posted by unregistered user: jaA local red who first went to the Cliff for A and B team matches with his grandad in the early 60s, I said ‘no mas’ in 2005 and swore to never put a penny in the Glazer pockets. Pity this was not done on masse to force the Gimps to sell. Too late now I fear, but the more who boycott without being replaced, the sooner the leaches will be driven out.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Trydent
Member Posted by unregistered user: TrydentMate I cannot agree more! To hear a “supporter” say “I’m done” shows what shallow,clueless people claim to support our club.I for one, want no one that will not show allegiance when it matters.I hate the vermin leeches that own us but I would never allow that to colour my love of our club.To be in the position we are is nothing short of a miracle.All you fair weather “fans” expect to win everything.We are not entitled to anything.Imagine “fans” like this, beside you on a battle field.The first sign of trouble and you would be left standing alone.Those with a backbone stay staunch while most run.The flood gates have already opened.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Trydent
Member Posted by unregistered user: TrydentED-again you slag off the manager whose name to lesser people like you is Sir Alex Ferguson.If you’re to lazy to write this out more than once then try SAF.If the reason is your own agenda aginst him then have the guts to say so and tell us all exactly how he should have delt with the usa leeches.Give us your wisdom on exactly the steps required since the takeover to carry this club foward to more glory.Tell us what you a nobody, would have done to stand up to the filth and at the same time keep the abu scum from the door.Or maybe you have joined those abu pencil pushers.Always we see pointless individuals that achieve nothing for themselves, offer worthless comments. So easy to slag off the manager time and again when the facts are not public knowledge.His hands may be tied? What do you expect him to say about the issues? Maybe he should have hung out all the dirty washing in public so people like you could find the truth.Then you might have a right to an opinion about the greatest manager this club will ever have.Get off his back!
Posted 1 year ago # -
Try dent – how tiresome. I’m not ‘slaging off’ the manager. This is an observation. Did Ferguson complain if he believed the PLC board didn’t give him enough money? Yes – very loudly. Does he complain that the Glazers have sucked £500m out of the club? No, not at all. In fact he tells fans who don’t like it to “fuck off and support Chelsea”.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Brad
Member Posted by unregistered user: BradI just have one question on this issue: We so often hear of managers whinging and whining about money (that there’s not enough of it to spend). So why doesn’t Fergie turn around and go demanding the Glazers for cash? Surely he has enough pull within the club to get what he wants. What is in it for him to see his team get outclassed on the field? Or is it just a Wenger/Arsenal-type of situation wherein the manager is too close-minded (or ultimately too confident of his own abilities) to spend even when there is money to spend? Hope someone clears this up for me. Thanks.
Posted 1 year ago # -
scholesyfan
Member Posted by unregistered user: scholesyfanhow can you blame sir alex for his comments, man city are backed by billionaires, we aren’t, this is the most pessimistic opinion around and you just never doubt sir alex (he has won 19 titles!!). we have been unlucky this season with fletcher, vidic missing a big part of the season, and i think with some reinforcements next year will be much better
Posted 1 year ago # -
Richard – keep the insults out of it. This isn’t greed, this is an observation of financial reality. City can spend lots, while United spend less. The erosion in relative competitiveness is inevitable. 89% inevitable if you want to put a number on it. And it’s not a critique of Ferguson either, other that he has complained only about City’s spending. There’s more than one dynamic going on here and he is supporting a regime that quite inevitably will lead to an erosion of United’s ability to compete.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Concerned fan
Member Posted by unregistered user: Concerned fan (URL)The time’s up to replace Ferguson due to his blindness, lack of direction and purpose for the club, by Pep Guardiola or Murino immediately. I’m convinced that his time is overdue and should be replaced without precondition.Thank him for the past but has no vision for the club’s future. Please note: his decisions on team selection for wigan and manchester games are appalling without talking about champions league and european league exits. Few players have left the team over his bully attitude (ref: Beckham, Keane…). Find an honorific post within the club for his past achievements and get rid of him now before he inflicts more damages to the team. He became too arrogant and seems to be invulnerable.
Concerned fan in Guelph.caPosted 1 year ago # -
Alf – had loads on Twitter last night. Apparently I’m spoilt and not a “true fan” (this mainly comes from plastic idiots) because I point out the inevitable consequences of City spending big while United reduces the budget. People think United can miraculously buck the market. The arrogance of believing somehow we’re better than everybody else at doing that.
Posted 1 year ago # -
wiuru
Member Posted by unregistered user: wiuru@ richard 3 41 am.Some excellant points raised there . My thoughts added are , we have lost the EPL before and i expect we will lose it again some time . We have no automatic right to it . Our response as always is the key .City have bought this title ! United have bought big in the past and will again , the point is it was our money . We were not bank rolled, our business model and club vision saw to it . Im no Glazers fan but we have won through under them .No doubt under investment is an issue but none of us know the truth of it . I believe this will re generate our efforts to fill the obvious voids in the side . Yes i believe in SAF and the club as a whole to come through this .Team Mansour have set a challenge , lets judge it on our answer next season !
Posted 1 year ago # -
Trydent
Member Posted by unregistered user: TrydentEd-how tiresome it is to see you trying to have an each way bet! At least have the guts to state your feelings without hiding behind the word”observation”.It is clear for all to see youur underlying attitude.You call what you write “journalistic licence”.You have not answered any of the issues I raised except the easy reply-attack the manager again. Tell us all what you would have done to manage this club in his place!Tell us your marvalous vision of the past 6+ years.I could repeat your quote you attribute to Sir Alex-”If YOU don’t like it fuck off”!
Posted 1 year ago # -
Trident – this coming from a fan in Australia. I trust you’ve been to hundreds of games though, because there’s no way you’d be telling me to “fuck off” without having put in the time yourself. Why is it glazer apologists always resort to personal insults?
I’ve been very clear on this site about the Glazers over the years. Try reading. This article was about money. It’s clearly too much for you to grasp though.
My plan – deleverage, run club on its own two feet as an independent organisation, get fans on the board to ensure it never happens again. All three very possible.
Posted 1 year ago # -
French Mickey- why are the only two options on your table the Glazers model, or the mercenaries model? It’s clearly the case that another path can be made. You don’t want United to be competitive? Odd because football has been a market since before the dawn of professionalism.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Liam
Member Posted by unregistered user: LiamI think the thing that distorts people’s view is our league position. League position wise we have greatly over achieved this season. Without fergie, with the current squad, we’d have finished about 4th-6th. I predict a couple of cheap players will be bought. When really we need a left winger, a left back and two central midfielders at least. Scholes has been superb this season, but struggled to play 90 mins. If giggs him left at least it would force some more recruits this summer.
Posted 1 year ago # -
19 and Counting
Member All is not lost even though the Glazers have crippled the club with their debts. But this could be the biggest summer for a long time and the transfers made (as well as players leaving) could be the most important in a long time. It's getting tougher and tougher to win the EPL title and just getting a CL spot isn't a foregone conclusion anymore. We can't compete with City - it's a fact - but we can still bring in quality players and make the right transfers at the right time...and this summer is the right time.
Some people have blasted Ed for just stating the obvious. Put away the rose-coloured glasses. We all love and support this great club and we all want the best for United. SAF has done amazing things over the years and it's been a great ride, but we all worry about the future. Perhaps we have been spoiled over the years and have been fortunate in the last few seasons, but we can't ride our luck forever and we can't compete with our current central MFs.
Sure, you can hide under the covers, close your eyes and keep telling yourself that everything will be alright and United will always be there. Instead, I'd prefer to look at reality and the fact that if we don't do something to shake up this squad, we're in deep. deep trouble.
Posted 1 year ago # -
French Micky
Member Posted by unregistered user: French MickyI agree that we don’ t really need another out and out left winger, but Giggs’s role for the last 10 years has been varied.
What we do need is someone who can make things happen in a game and there are two types for me….The grab it by the balls type….Keane, and the world class creator/ finisher…..Rooney.
Right now we need both. Both can be bought which has proven to be the case in the past.
Hazzard fits in the 2nd category ( I’m based in France so I get to see him a bit) and he can play across the mid and the 2nd striker.Ed, I sincerely am trying to point to ‘another way’. That way is called ‘correct investment’ and I believe that this may happen over the summer.
We have to be realistic and pragmatic, we can’t win it every year so at least when we do win, we try to do it the right way with what options are available to us.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Alfonso Bedoya
Moderator Ed said:
Alf – had loads on Twitter last night. Apparently I’m spoilt and not a “true fan” (this mainly comes from plastic idiots) because I point out the inevitable consequences of City spending big while United reduces the budget. People think United can miraculously buck the market. The arrogance of believing somehow we’re better than everybody else at doing that.Aye... the one thing you can count on from the blind ignorant... they're consistent.
Trydent... "To hear a “supporter” say “I’m done” shows what shallow,clueless people claim to support our club.I for one, want no one that will not show allegiance when it matters."
Save your self righteous indignation for someone who gives a shit what you think... but just to be clear... I could never support another club... my statement of being "done"... regards the game itself... I've had enough of the whole sorry mess that is modern football... why should I waste my time and passion supporting a game that offers me less, and less entertainment value each season... but asks me for more and more patience, while the proceeds are leeched off by people with no emotional attachment to the club what so ever... and defended by the man, I once considered the keeper of the flame... if he's got no respect for my support... then what's in it for me?
Not a fuckin thing... it's not enjoyable anymore... just an exercise in frustration.
Posted 1 year ago #
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