Tuesday, 23rd October, 2012
Manchester United vice-chairman Ed Woodward insists the club will back manager Sir Alex Ferguson if he wants to sign a world-class player over the age of 25.
The Red Devils, along with many of Europe’s elite, have long kept an eye on resale value when it comes to buying a player, but this summer Ferguson splashed out £24M to buy Robin van Persie from Arsenal – and the 29-year-old Dutchman has had an instant impact.
For Woodward, there is no doubt that whoever Ferguson wants, he gets, with Manchester United determined to support the legendary manager in the transfer market.
"If a top star who is over 25 comes along that Sir Alex wants, he’ll be supported", the vice-chairman told BBC Sport.
"Every player that Sir Alex has gone after has been approved.
"We’re committed to making sure we have the best squad that we can have."
relatedNewsStoryAnd Woodward pointed to the Van Persie transfer as ample evidence that age is no barrier to bringing stars to Old Trafford.
"The Robin van Persie deal perhaps stands out as people incorrectly viewed that we had a policy of only buying young players.
"The DNA of the club has always been to buy young players and to develop players. And that’s what Sir Alex has always preferred to do.
"But equally he’s always taken the view that if a top player comes along that he wants then, once every few years, he’ll do it. And he was backed to do that in a wholehearted manner and we’ll continue to do that."
The admission opens the door for a swoop on any number of top class stars and Ferguson is sure to already be actively thinking about whether he wants to recruit in the January transfer window.
The Red Devils have suffered a number of injuries on the defensive front this season, while Rio Ferdinand will be 34 years old before 2013 dawns.
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