FERGIE FEARS ROMAN'S WALLET
Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that he now fears being out-muscled by Chelsea every time he makes a move in the transfer market.
The Old Trafford supremo was powerless to prevent his Premiership rivals from snatching Arjen Robben from under his nose earlier in the week, months after he had first identified the Dutch wonderkid as a transfer priority.
Arjen's club PSV Eindhoven revealed that they had decided to do business with Chelsea after the West Londoners comfortably outbid United.
Ferguson is fearful that with former Old Trafford chief executive Peter Kenyon now directing business operations at Stamford Bridge, the Roman-Abramovich backed-Blues could now beat United to almost any transfer target they might have lined up.
"I can't believe that is the last one they know about," stated Ferguson in reference to Kenyon's knowledge of United's transfer strategy.
"I suppose they could buy everybody. Every club is looking and wondering about that.
"We have a good worldwide scouting network and when we identify someone we try to do it as quickly as we can.
"In the case of Robben we made an offer which PSV Eindhoven refused and which they used to Carlos up Chelsea's bid."
Ferguson went on to concede that the West Londoners could conceivably purchase players solely in a bid to prevent rivals from strengthening, but questioned whether Claudio Ranieri had so far managed to assemble a balanced squad.
"It's difficult to say. They have certainly bought all these midfield players. It's interesting."
Meanwhile, United midfielder Paul Scholes has requested a personal hearing to defend himself against a charge of violent conduct by the Football Association.
The England star was cited after he clashed with Middlesbrough's Brazilian midfielder Doriva during their Barclaycard Premiership encounter at Old Trafford on February 11.
Match official Paul Durkin indicated in his match report that he had not seen the incident, but it was picked up on television replays and the FA decided to act.
Ferguson has claimed there was nothing to the clash, but Scholes will be facing a three-match ban should he fail to prove his innocence.
http://www.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,1-1126358,00.html
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