This little Fergie went to market

After Ferderico Macheda shot himself into the centre of Premier League news with his late goal at Aston Villa who would have thought Man United would be attacked.

Lazio president Claudio Loitito believed the title chasers treat their young star's as if they nothing more than cattle. Loitito arguing the player would be still be a Lazio player if it wasn't for Man United's bullish tactics.

But is this a problem with professional football we already knew and is it inevitable? The big clubs have always been able to attract the best players whether that is through the desire for success or financial reasons. There has been a string of players who have been brought to Old Trafford from clubs that had an emotional attachment to the player.

The system is against the Italian clubs who are unable to offer professional contracts to their under 18 players. Although, is the Lazio president thinking more the club's bank balance than the benefit of his young players? A professional contract would have tied Machena to Lazio and subsequently meant that if Ferguson wanted him a transfer fee would have been needed.

The power struggle between clubs will continue as will the 'cattle market' debate but once again it seems money will always be the top priority in modern football.

Wenger on the Defensive

Arsene Wenger looked for once out of excuses as Arsenal was out battled to their fourth successive 0-0 draw. Despite a gain in profit over the financial year the possibility of no Champions League football next season could be a blow to big for Arsene Wenger and his philosophy at Arsenal.


The worst run Arsenal have seen for 15 years has Wenger "concerned" and it is his teams inability to score goals that has left him bemused. One goal in the last five games is not good enough for a team battling with relegation never mind a team with ambitions of a Champion League place.

The opposition and a negative 10 men behind the ball style of play they bring to the Emirates Stadium has often been Wenger's defence against their poor results. By blaming the opposition for being what Wenger terms as "anti-football" he deflects examination of his teams own tactical capabilities.

Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia was on the receiving end of Wenger's frustrations last weekend stating his team should have gone to the Emirates and "played football". Would Wenger have been so concerned with Sunderland playing football if Arsenal had won the game?

Manchester United has won nine of their 19 league victories this season by a goal to nil and is placed comfortably seven points clear at the top. The belief and the consistency of Manchester United is the missing component of this Arsenal side who fail to break down the strong defensive teams of the Premier League.