Gary Neville reveals three types of targets in Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United transfer policy
Gary Neville has revealed the three categories of transfer target that Sir Alex Ferguson would look to sign during his years in charge of Manchester United.
Ferguson won 38 trophies during his 26 years at Old Trafford, mixing talent from United’s youth ranks with multi-million pound signings from home and abroad.
The Scot moved older players on and introduced young talent so successfully, he is considered to have had at least three great and distinct United sides.
Neville believes Ferguson’s transfer policy could be divided into three groups of players which he consistently sought during his spell in charge.
“There were three categories to the policy,” Neville told Sky Sports. “He wanted to promote youth wherever possible, that was number one before he even looked at the external market.
“Number two was to look at the best in the Premier League; those he could trust and still have growth and be with the club for a long time: Gary Pallister, Steve Bruce, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Robin van Persie.
“And then he always wanted emerging international talent that could come over to Manchester, that he could work with and develop into great players: Nemanja Vidic, Peter Schmeichel, Patrice Evra, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.”
According to Neville, Ferguson rarely signed established players from abroad, with the ultimately unsuccessful £28.1m signing of Juan Sebastian Veron from Lazio being a notable exception.
“It’s not far off Pep Guardiola’s tactic with Manchester City right now,” Neville said. “Sir Alex wanted hunger.
“In terms of selling players, he would get rid when they either weren’t good enough, or when he felt they were questioning his control. He was ruthless on that. In all of his interviews, he talks about control, authority, discipline.
“United’s strategy was like a very slow conveyor belt. A few would come in, and a few would leave. Never more than a handful each season, never a massive adaptation of the squad.
“It was controlled, with six or seven young players, 10 in the middle, and three or four that were in their 30s. Every club that has had a dynasty has had that stability of players.”
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