United splash the cash to stay ahead

Alex Ferguson has embarked on a £40m retail therapy mission to make up for the disappointment of Manchester United’s FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea.

Eager to ensure United have their best possible chance of defending their Barclays Premiership title, Ferguson has already virtually sealed a deal to get Owen Hargreaves from Bayern Munich.

And late last night, the Red Devils confirmed brilliant young duo Anderson and Nani would also be part of their squad next season.

The double signing is a major coup for the Old Trafford outfit as most of Europe’s top clubs, including Real Madrid and Chelsea, have been linked with at least one of their new faces at some point over the last few months.

Nineteen-year-old Anderson is already viewed as one of the top young talents in the world.

The Porto midfielder was crowned player of the tournament at the 2005 Under-17 World Championships and is part of Brazil’s squad for this summer’s Copa America, a remarkable elevation even if the Samba stars’ main men, Ronaldinho and Kaka, are missing the event in Venezuela.

United have been on the case of Nani for some time but appeared to have been thwarted in their attempts to sign him when it was suggested the 20-year-old was ready to extend his stay with Sporting Lisbon.

However, the proposed contract remained unsigned, allowing Ferguson to step in and snap up the Portugal international.

Ferguson will cross his fingers and hope his new arrivals enjoy the same kind of success as the last player he signed from the country, footballer of the year Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Manchester United is delighted to announce it has agreed terms in principle with FC Porto and Sporting Lisbon for the purchase of the registrations of Anderson and Nani,” read a club statement.

“Personal terms have been agreed and a formal announcement will take place once the necessary administrative procedures, including medicals, have been completed.”

With Hargreaves on board as well and the likelihood of a big-name striker being signed, United have signalled a statement of intent for the new campaign.

All the new arrivals will make their bows on the club’s pre-season Far East tour.

However, the Old Trafford outfit are believed to be close to abandoning the final, Malaysian leg of the trip.

United had hoped a personal visit from Gill to Malaysia could help resolve the row which has erupted over their visit, which was part of the country’s 50th anniversary celebrations but also clashes with the prestigious Asia Cup.

However, with the Asian Football Confederation holding the right of veto over the fixture, scheduled for July 27, and showing no sign of bending, the point is approaching when United finally admit defeat and find an alternative fixture to slot into a pre-season programme which already includes an Old Trafford encounter with Inter Milan on August 1.

One club who do appear to want United though are Aberdeen, whom it is rumoured have requested a meeting with the Red Devils as part of their 2008-09 pre-season programme to commemorate their 1983 European Cup Winners’ Cup triumph.

As the victory over Real Madrid was achieved under Ferguson’s management, United would appear to be the obvious choice.

Ferguson is still remembered with great affection at Pittodrie for the amazing job he did in breaking the Old Firm stranglehold in Scotland, which some maintain was a more notable achievement than bringing so much glory to Old Trafford.