Our net spend last season, a year after we should have built on a sustained title challenge, was £0. We trimmed the squad, to reduce the wage bill. and only replaced the two first teamers thats departed (Arbeloa and Alonso) We had less numbers in the squad, and promoted reserve/youth players to make up the numbers.
Its ok for Rooney and Beckham to wear those green and gold scarves. They arent actually coming out and saying things against the owners, but it looks good for the cameras and cememnets their legendary statuses with the fans. Because despite the debt, United's purchasing power is huge, and Ferguson is ALWAYS backed in the transfer market. I actually can't see why the Glazers are so despised. There is a lot of debt, but the stadium is being expanded, you are making record profits year after year, Fergie is backed in the market, The Glazers generally keep quite and respect the traditions of the club.
I think our first team, which is pretty much what you saw last night, is as strong as any in the premiership and around Europe, but anyone can see that we lack quality backup options. But we have to show ambition, some of the quality first teamers at the moment need competition from world class players to raise their own game and give us strength.