Oliver Kay in the Times:
‘Sir Alex Ferguson’s concerns about being left behind by Chelsea’s formidable power will be increased tomorrow when he is told that he must raise funds by selling members of his Manchester United squad if he wishes to sign a replacement for Roy Keane this summer.
‘While Chelsea expect to make Steven Gerrard one of three high-profile signings this summer, Ferguson will have to sell before he can think of buying Michael Essien, the Lyons and Ghana midfield player. David Gill, the chief executive, will spell out, when announcing a slight drop in the club’s profits over the past six-month period, that the transfer kitty is empty after a £40 million outlay last summer on Alan Smith, Gabriel Heinze and Wayne Rooney.
‘United are expected to find the money to sign at least one new goalkeeper, with Roy Carroll and Ricardo set to leave on free transfers when their contracts expire in June, but Essien, who would cost at least £10 million, will not be going to Old Trafford unless Ferguson can raise funds by selling fringe players such as Kléberson and David Bellion and possibly a more established player such as Phil Neville or John O’Shea.
‘The United plc board has a strict policy that the club should never put itself into debt to buy players.’