Three targets for Fergie
08 May 2007 - 08:20:02
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that he wants to add three new players to his title-winning squad in the summer.
Long-time target Owen Hargreaves remains on Ferguson's wanted list while Southampton defender Gareth Bale and Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatv have also been linked with moves to Old Trafford.
"We've outlined three targets and David Gill is aware of them," confirmed Ferguson.
"We identify players as quietly as we can so we can do things quickly, because when there is competition, it costs. Chelsea paid £27million for Michael Essien. They can outbid us all.
"We had a good foundation in players like Giggs, Scholes, Neville, Solskjaer and Ferdinand. Then we brought some new players in like Heinze, Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Rooney and Ronaldo, Park - they gave us a far more balanced and powerful squad.
"Vidic has been the best centre-half in the country this season. He's been absolutely outstanding. You could see the difference his partnership with Rio Ferdinand made to us on Saturday against Manchester City.
"It was absolutely peerless, a fantastic performance by both of them.
"That foundation of strength in the central defensive position is something we've been wanting for a long time, going back to Pallister and Bruce.
"We've had some good combinations but none lasted as long as hopefully these two will do.
"For us to dominate the league again will be a difficult task. I expect Arsenal, Liverpool and obviously Chelsea to add to their squads in the summer.
"I thought the signings of Shevchenko and Ballack were really designed to win Chelsea the European Cup but they were, in fact, involved on all four fronts until almost the very end.
"It tells you a lot about their strength in depth, and how difficult it will be for us next year."