How Fergie could spark merry-go-round
By John Edwards
If proof were needed that Sir Alex Ferguson writes his own rules, his latest declaration has to be as conclusive as it gets.
For the Stock Market in business, read the transfer market in football - both creaking under the strain of seemingly endless profit warnings and appearing to be on the point of collapse.
Shares tumble in the City, transfer valuations follow the same downward path in the Premiership as the stark reality of diminishing television returns begins to kick in.
Hardly the climate for a concerted attempt at smashing the British transfer record out of sight.
Ferguson has identified the one newcomer needed to silence defensive misgivings that are still echoing from last season and will not rest until he is recruited, regardless of cost or sensitivities among rivals.
As Ferguson prepared to raise the bar for a third time in barely 12 months, the feeling persisted that even United could be for the high jump if wages and fees continue to soar way beyond revenue levels.
They will not be, of course. With a multi-million pound commercial empire continuing to prosper, they will reinforce their standing as the only club with the means to buck the current trend of treading warily. More than that, they will provide the spark for belatedly igniting a dormant transfer scene at home and abroad.
Ferguson may have his detractors, and the new Leeds partner-ship of Ridsdale and Terry Venables may be making optimistic noises about resisting his offensive over Ferdinand.
But credit where it is due, one statement of intent from the United boss and all the forecasts of market meltdown look like giving way to a frantic free-for-all.