Manchester United's quiet transfer market campaign was on direct orders from manager Sir Alex Ferguson. The Manchester Evening News says the over-inflated transfer market and the lure of Real Madrid for top target Karim Benzema meant spending the £80m Cristiano Ronaldo cheque wasn't going to be easy.

The prudent Reds have been forced to shy away from the major activity this summer.

Fergie was central to the policy and has displayed a faith in a squad that became world champions last December and was stripped this summer of Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.

Some wonder if it is blind faith that has left the Premier League title holders distinctly weaker.

Whatever, Ferguson has stuck by his guns and belief that he still has a squad capable of challenging like last season on all fronts.

He has been at pains all close-season and in the lead up to the closing of the transfer window to stress that United still have the depth of ability to match their rivals in England and abroad.

Now it is down to the players to repay him and step up to the plate.