Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has rebuffed criticism
from Sir Alex Ferguson over the club's spending this
summer.
City's latest signing was Carlos Tevez, who spent the last two
seasons under Ferguson at Manchester United, on whom they spent
£26.5million.
Ferguson described City's spending this year as "stupid" and
"unrealistic".
But Hughes said: "We haven't had the benefit of Champions League
money over a long period and we haven't had the success to generate
the large amounts of money.
"All the squads and managers have spent large amounts to be
successful. That has never changed. We are trying to be successful
and, to do that, we have to spend money.
"We understand how people may view us at this time, when times
are hard financially for a lot of people.
"But football sometimes bucks that trend, almost always,
certainly at the top level."
Hughes also rejected suggestions City had paid over the odds for
Tevez.
"I think in this current age, and given some of the other
transfers this summer, notably Ronaldo to Real Madrid, Carlos will
prove a bargain," he said.
Hughes cannot wait for the new season to get started.
The August 15 trip to his old club Blackburn cannot come quickly
enough as the football world, and City's long-suffering fans in
particular, wait to discover whether England's big-spenders can
match the hype surrounding them.
"I know I am a little bit deadpan at times but I do get
excited," smiled Hughes.
"This is probably the first season when, after a break, I have
been really looking forward to getting back.
"You feel a little bit drained after a long hard season and
usually wish you could have a couple more weeks but myself and all
my staff couldn't wait to get back and get stuck in again."
Little wonder either given the players Hughes will have at his
disposal.
But, in all probability, there will be more new faces but before
defensive reinforcements have been brought in, skipper Richard
Dunne is also being linked with Sunderland.
However, as he landed in South Africa at the start of a
three-match tour, Hughes dismissed suggestions he was about to
offload his captain.
"There has been interest in Richard which is to be expected
because he is a good player," Hughes told the club's official
website.
"But I have spoken to him already and it is not something on
which we are going to dwell.
"We are looking to strengthen all areas and people make
assumptions that maybe players we are after will have an effect on
those who are already here.
"But we want to make sure the squad is stronger than it was last
season."