Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out a January move for former
England defender Sol Campbell - and insisted he has money to spend
if he wanted to.
Speculation rose earlier this week that Ferguson would look to
bring Campbell in when the transfer window opens next month as he
battles with an ongoing defensive injury crisis.
Even the mere suggestion of signing the 35-year-old triggered
more negative rumours about the money Ferguson has been given to
spend at a club whose debt is currently £790million.
But Ferguson insists there is no link.
"I don't know where this came from but it is all wrong," he
said. "Sol Campbell was a great player but he is not a player we
are thinking about getting to come to United."
A move for Campbell always seemed unlikely given the player's
age, and the fact he has played only one League Two game since he
left Portsmouth at the end of last season.
And, as Ferguson confirmed, many of the current problems - while
leaving him short of options once more for tomorrow's Old Trafford
encounter with Aston Villa - are unlikely to be long-term.
"Jonny Evans could be back in 10 days and John O'Shea will be
with us in January," he said.
"We are having a hard time with centre-backs at this moment in
time but I am sure by January most of them will be back."
The issue of United's debt and the world record £80million
received from Real Madrid following the summer sale of Cristiano
Ronaldo has been a subject of debate for some time.
Ferguson's preference to keep his spending down last summer only
fuelled talk of a squeeze being applied by the Glazer family.
It is an issue the United manager is happy to address.
"It has been said I do not have the money," said Ferguson.
"But the money is there if I wanted to use it.
"I didn't see any value in the summer and I don't see any value
at the moment either.
"I am happy with the players I already have at the club."
