Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson denies his hands have been tied in the transfer market.
Fergie bristled yesterday over claims he has seen his transfer budget shrink.
"We have no financial restrictions," he said rather spikily. "And if I hadn't been confident in the squad we've got, we maybe would have done something.
"I looked around at the market and there was only one player I would have brought here (he means Villa). That move was sealed off early by the club he went to.
"So the best thing we can do, until the market becomes more sensible, is produce young players and buy young players and develop them in the club. By doing that we are securing the next eight years easily at Manchester United. The stock of players we have created will stand us in good stead."
