Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 1106 Wed. July 11, 2007  
   
Sports


Europe Fergie's goal


Sir Alex Ferguson has vowed to rotate his squad like never before as the Manchester United manager looks to make up for missing out on European glory last season.

Despite masterminding another Premiership title triumph, Ferguson was bitterly disappointed with United's failure to win the Champions League and has vowed to use as many players as possible to achieve success in England and on the continent.

Ferguson, speaking at the unveiling of new signings Owen Hargreaves and Nani, also aimed digs at rivals Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger, the respective managers of Chelsea and Arsenal who have both played second fiddle to United and Liverpool in the transfer market during the close season.

"I thought there would be more spending," said Ferguson, who has invested nearly 50 million pounds (100 million dollars) on new players this summer.

"There is a lot of money in Premier League because of the television so I probably expected more to be spent.

"The thing about doing the business with two young players like Nani and (Brazilian midfielder) Anderson is great timing for us. They will now have time to adapt to the way of our club.

"They won't play every game next season, but they will play a lot of games and it gives us a future." No one, said Ferguson, will be immune from his chopping and changing next season.

"In the 90s we rotated our squad very well," he added. "Last season we were involved in the three tournaments - the final of the FA Cup, the semifinal of the European Cup as well as the league.

"We had a great opportunity (to win the treble) but we just didn't have enough bodies to stretch our squad out and save legs where we could have saved legs. We got a lot of injuries all in the space of a few weeks.

"In that situation I sorted of regretted allowing the young players to stay out on loan. If I had been selfish and kept them we would have had a far better chance - a terrific chance - of getting to the final of the European Cup and a good chance of winning the FA Cup.

"Without question when talking about the profile of this club we should have done better in Europe.

"Last season was the third Champions League semifinal we have failed in. We don't like that. We think we should be doing better and signing these players does give us a bigger chance.

"But now we have a very strong squad and the evidence of last year tells us that we need a stronger squad with the number of games there. Yes, it's going to take management. But I think players understand today quite clearly that in order to challenge for everything you do need a strong squad and it means that they don't play all the games.

"No one will play all the games next year and hopefully they accept that and move on to the business of trying to achieve success for us."

Hargreaves intends to use his move from Bayern Munich to United to further enhance his England credentials.

But the midfielder has played down comparisons with Roy Keane.

"I think he is one of the legends of this club," said Hargreaves. "To be part of this club is a dream come true for me and I'm looking forward to making a name for myself and not trying to emulate anyone player in particular.

"It is a good opportunity. I'm 26 and have spent 10 years at a great club like Bayern Munich and had a lot of success as well. Now I'm looking forward to the next chapter in my career and have the opportunity to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, if not the biggest."