ALEX FERGUSON launched a blistering attack on rivals Manchester City's "kamikaze spending".
Fergie let rip as James Milner completed his £24million switch to Eastlands from Aston Villa yesterday, taking Roberto Mancini's City spree to a staggering £130M.
They also unveiled £22.5m striker Mario Balotelli, whose arrival from Inter Milan means their mega-rich Arab owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan has splashed almost £325m since taking over two years ago.
United boss Ferguson has spent only £25m this summer - and claims football's new breed of billionaire owners will continue driving up prices.
He was careful not to name City or their players - including Yaya Toure on a reported £220,000 per week - but said: "Over the last two or three years we have seen very wealthy owners become part of football clubs.
"They go on this kamikaze effort to spend their money.
"It is amazing the amounts of money being bandied about.
"I don't see it abating. I think the kind of spending we are seeing will be here for two or three years.
"Or until such time as they understand you can't necessarily achieve all the time by spending."
Flanked by his summer buys Javier Hernandez, Chris Smalling and Bebe, Ferguson said splashing the cash was not the way to build a successful side.
He added: "We could have bought one or two players for a lot of money in the summer.
"But I didn't necessarily see they would make us really so much better."
Meanwhile, City agreed a compromise over Stephen Ireland's demand for a £2m pay-off and he headed to Villa for talks on a move to the Midlands.
City hope to announce Milner's signing today.
Boss Mancini said: "Milner is a good player, an English player which is important.
"He can play in different positions."
Fergie let rip as James Milner completed his £24million switch to Eastlands from Aston Villa yesterday, taking Roberto Mancini's City spree to a staggering £130M.
They also unveiled £22.5m striker Mario Balotelli, whose arrival from Inter Milan means their mega-rich Arab owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan has splashed almost £325m since taking over two years ago.
United boss Ferguson has spent only £25m this summer - and claims football's new breed of billionaire owners will continue driving up prices.
He was careful not to name City or their players - including Yaya Toure on a reported £220,000 per week - but said: "Over the last two or three years we have seen very wealthy owners become part of football clubs.
"They go on this kamikaze effort to spend their money.
"It is amazing the amounts of money being bandied about.
"I don't see it abating. I think the kind of spending we are seeing will be here for two or three years.
"Or until such time as they understand you can't necessarily achieve all the time by spending."
Flanked by his summer buys Javier Hernandez, Chris Smalling and Bebe, Ferguson said splashing the cash was not the way to build a successful side.
He added: "We could have bought one or two players for a lot of money in the summer.
"But I didn't necessarily see they would make us really so much better."
Meanwhile, City agreed a compromise over Stephen Ireland's demand for a £2m pay-off and he headed to Villa for talks on a move to the Midlands.
City hope to announce Milner's signing today.
Boss Mancini said: "Milner is a good player, an English player which is important.
"He can play in different positions."