[nffc]

Originally Posted by Russ D

Yes, I said United have spent BIG - but also have a very successful youth policy. Chelsea just had some russian appear from nowhere and start throwing the cash about, thus eliminating any last traces of a 'sport'.

Yes but they spent before as well.

Lampard (11m), Hasselbaink (7.5m), Gudjohnsen (4m) being a few salient examples. Di Matteo, Zola... list goes on!

They're only speeding up the team building process. They didn't spend that much last summer and they probably won't this. Mourinho only wants a small squad.

United have spent big? Let's take a look at the team from Saturday.
Man Utd: Carroll (Wigan, 2.5m, 2001), Phil Neville (YTS), Brown (YTS), Silvestre (Inter, 4m, 1999), Heinze (6.9m, PSG, 2004), Fletcher (YTS), Keane (Forest, 3.5m, 1993), Scholes (YTS), Ronaldo (Lisbon, 12.24m, 2003) (O'Shea (YTS) 67), Rooney (Everton, 20m, 2004) (Bellion (Sunderland, 2m, 2003) 90), Saha (Fulham, 12.82m, 2004) (Fortune (A Madrid, 1.25m, 1999) 79).
Subs Not Used: Howard (MLS, 2.3m), Miller (Celtic, free, 2004).

Total- 5 YTS players in first 16, £67.51m . That's spending big.