Does Ashley Want Success On A Shoestring?
Last summer's recruitment drive brought in high earners Joey Barton, Geremi, Mark Viduka and Alan Smith.
But a recent survey reveals United were one of only eight top-flight clubs to report an operating profit. So is Ashley pulling in the purse strings out of panic or greed?
According to reports today, Ashley is demanding more value for money next year. Now if he was saying he was wanting "success" ... we would be behind him ... but this idea of buying kids to bring through the ranks has been tried and tested at this club and we have heard enough of building for the future.
Sir Bobby Robson tried it. Remember when he had scouts tour the globe to bring in Gavilan (Argentina), Viana (Portugal), Jenas, Ambrose, Bramble, Cort and Lua Lua for millions?
Then Bobby said "I hope I'm at this club in five years time (2008) to see this team mature and have us challenging the Premiership with this team".
Yeah Bobby!
Keegan scrapped the Reserve side during his time at Newcastle because he said to challenge Manchester United you had to bring in world class players, nor recruit through the ranks.
So it will be interesting to see how Mr Ashley and Mr Keegan work together.
According to reports today, Ashley is demanding more value for money next year. Now if he was saying he was wanting "success" ... we would be behind him ... but this idea of buying kids to bring through the ranks has been tried and tested at this club and we have heard enough of building for the future.
Sir Bobby Robson tried it. Remember when he had scouts tour the globe to bring in Gavilan (Argentina), Viana (Portugal), Jenas, Ambrose, Bramble, Cort and Lua Lua for millions?
Then Bobby said "I hope I'm at this club in five years time (2008) to see this team mature and have us challenging the Premiership with this team".
Yeah Bobby!
Keegan scrapped the Reserve side during his time at Newcastle because he said to challenge Manchester United you had to bring in world class players, nor recruit through the ranks.
So it will be interesting to see how Mr Ashley and Mr Keegan work together.
United's efforts to cut wages could affect negotiations over Michael Owen's new contract, a deal Keegan pin-pointed as the number one priority this summer.
It has been widely reported he will be asked to take a pay cut by the board.
United's squad strengthening is only part of what promises to be a summer of transition, with player signings supplemented by a reshuffle of the club's coaching staff.
If we had as many players coming in as we have had with the influx of backroom boys we would have the biggest squad in European football!
And it still hasn't ended. Former Toon player Alan Thompson's decision to retire from professional football appears to smooth the way for him to be offered a coaching role in United's Academy in the coming weeks.
The club are also keen to appoint an academy director, supposedly Peter Taylor, and the list grows and grows.
At the end of the day only ONE man matters - the manager! And he has the FULL backing of the supporters. He MUST be in control, and obviously he has to work within restrictions ... and frustrating restrictions I'm sure.
As for the rest? Put it this way ... they are on trial!
If Keegan goes, and don't rule it out, let's see how the backroom boys manage.