Ferguson is handed ‘significant’ transfer funds

MANCHESTER UNITED commercial director Andy Anson yesterday revealed Alex Ferguson has been armed with a “significant” transfer kitty to rebuild his midfield - but confirmed no new funds would be made available from the club’s new sponsorship deal.

American International Group will be United’s sponsors for the next four years after agreeing a British record £56.5 million (€81.4m) deal, raising hopes among fans that Ferguson would be given more money to spend in the summer.

But while Anson stressed the capital will be poured into the club’s coffers in the short term, he insists the Glazer family are happy to bank-role big-money moves for world-class players.

“The money goes into the central pot,” Anson said.

“We manage Manchester United as an integrated business and then we decide where we’re going to spend the money at the beginning of each season when we do our budget. It’s been well documented that the budget for transfers has already been allocated for this year and that remains unchanged.

“That is a big pot of money anyway and Sir Alex Ferguson is confident he can get the players he wants in the summer.”