NANCY BOY

"After the disappointment of going out in the Champions League quarter-finals the manager knows what he needs to do to get further in the competition and go on and win it.In two years' time he will be 30 and £30m in this market is a lot of money. Spending £30m a year ago on Rio Ferdinand was in a different market and now you are getting more for your money.Sir Alex knows he needs that money to reinforce and make the squad stronger.''

Gary Bailey on MUTV

"The big question is does Beckham want to go? If he does, then he could see out his contract then United are going to get nothing, so you have to take what you can. He is a world-class player and say you get £30m for him, but go and buy a world-class player and see what it is going to cost you?

"You might say very cleverly - and Sir Alex has done this superbly over the last few years - that there is a youngster or two who is going to be good so you buy a few of them. He could buy maybe a Joe Cole, and nick him for £8m but you have to be sure those players are going to be as good as Beckham or even better and that is not going to be easy to do.”

Ray Wilkins:

"Moving to Milan would not stretch David as a player. I cannot see where such a move would enhance his career. David is already playing for the biggest club in the world and doesn't need to go for financial reasons. A move to Milan would stretch David as a person, although the only thing he would probably learn out there would be the language. Let’s face it, right now David is playing some great football and, importantly for him, he appears to be enjoying it. “