With Lee Bowyer's transfer to Liverpool set for a Monday completion the financial imperative for Leeds to sell Ferdinand was all but removed so when we witnessed some tetchiness from Venables on Friday it was starting to look like a repeat of the Alan Shearer 'non-deal'. Then Leeds departed for their pre-season tour without their captain, Bowyer's deal was called off, Ridsdale backed down from his high-noon deadline and it was only a matter of time before United secured the signature Ferguson wanted above all others.
We will have to wait and see whether the player justifies his astronomical fee but who wouldn't pay good money to watch the Sheep work themselves up into a lather as another of their heroes goes West dreaming of trophies and pastures Red - there's only one United tha knows.