Fergie turns attentions to next season

The trophy is yet to be handed out – yet Alex Ferguson already has a steely glare on next year’s Premier League campaign.

In an interview for the official Manchester United magazine, Ferguson has confirmed the Red Devils will be “competitive” in the transfer market this summer, even if they lack the funds to match Chelsea and Manchester City.

“We’re not Chelsea or Manchester City in terms of money but we’re competitive,” Ferguson told Inside United.

“We’ve been doing a bit of work over the last three or four months, targeting who the players are that we feel could enhance us, make us better or help us maintain the level we’re at.

“Hopefully the players we bring into the club in the next year or so will be of the quality we need.”

That planning is already under way is no surprise to former United skipper Bryan Robson, who he was invited into Ferguson’s inner sanctum in the immediate aftermath of that championship-sealing triumph over Aston Villa last week.

“I was in Sir Alex’s office on Monday night after the Villa game,” said Robson.

“He is talking to me about next year, and how he is going to improve things to make sure they are better again.

“That is what he is like. He is not even celebrating the night. He is thinking about next year.”

Ferguson coined the phrase ’unique freak’ to sum up Ryan Giggs’ 13th title triumph.

Yet the exact same words could sum up his own drive and determination, which for a 71-year-old, Robson accepts is simply astonishing.

“He is so used to it, it is almost like he is immune,” said Robson.

“You are not talking about managing somewhere normal.

“It was bad enough at Middlesbrough and West Brom where I was. But they are smaller clubs compared to Manchester United.

“Yet he seems to thrive on it. That is what makes him as good as he is.”

There had been a theory, earlier in the year, this season might be Ferguson’s last.

The United manager has never given that impression outwardly.

It is certainly difficult to imagine Ferguson being content for the manner of this season’s controversial Champions League exit to Real Madrid being his epitaph for the competition that means more to him than any other.

In any case, as he has always said, if his health remains, why should have stop, especially as he has just built a new team capable of winning the championship with four games to spare.

“The mixture of youth and experience in his current squad is absolutely brilliant,” said Robson.

“He has all these young players; De Gea, Rafael, Cleverley, Welbeck, Evans. They have all had terrific seasons and winning the title will enhance their confidence even further.

“Jones and Smalling had injuries in the early part of the season but they will be real good players.

“Then you have the vast experience of all the rest, who are still at a good age to be able to play football.

“United will only get better from this position.”

And, to make sure there is no slackening off, Ferguson will crack the whip when he sees fit.

“Once Sir Alex got his foot in the door after being appointed manager and started building, players began to know and understand what he wants from them,” said Robson.

“It is still the same now. Even in a pre-season friendly, getting beaten is not acceptable.”His desire to work rubs off on everybody else. They know what is needed and the standards he expects.

“If you don’t do it, you will be out of the door.”