Sir Alex Ferguson conceded that he was 'surprised but not amazed' by the huge fees spent over January.
United boss admits value for money is difficult in today's market
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has conceded that he is 'surprised but not amazed' by the huge transfer fees spent over January.
The Scot was quiet over the transfer window, making no additions to his squad, who have a five-point lead in the Premier League and are favourites to land the title for the 19th time.
The big-spending went on elsewhere, with title rivals Chelsea signing Fernando Torres for £50million from Liverpool and the Reds securing Andy Carroll as his replacement for £35million from Newcastle.
Carroll's switch broke the record paid for an English player previously held by Ferguson's signing of England captain Rio Ferdinand for £30million from Leeds back in 2002.
But despite admitting that he did try and bring one player in during the window, Ferguson felt that the astronomic prices in football were just part of the game.
"We have bought in January in the past," said Ferguson. "We tried one bit of business but it didn't work.
"Identification is the first thing. The second is getting the value. It is very difficult in today's market.
High-profile
"You can be surprised at what happened but not amazed because the Premier League is such a high-profile industry throughout the world. It is the biggest league in the world.
"I think the highest transfer outside the Premier League in the window was £3million. That shows you the gulf in the spending in other countries."
Ferguson's side have been in good form of late, and the veteran boss was pleased that his side continued to prove the doubters wrong and keep a run that has seen them go unbeaten all season going.
"We have younger players coming to the club but the main body of the team has been here for a while," he added.
"So dealing with games where you have to have a solution has always been important. We never give in and that is a quality.
"Perseverance and looking for solutions in games has got better as the team has got older. That is what you have to do.
"I have said time and again teams of all sorts have different ways of playing against Manchester United. We accept that."
