NICKED ... Fergie made sure he beat his rivals to the signing of Nick Powell (right)
Published: Today at 11:17
MANCHESTER UNITED had to move swiftly to beat their rivals to wonderkid Nick Powell, manager Alex Ferguson has revealed.
United formally signed the 18-year-old midfielder from Crewe on July 1, but had put the deal in place some time earlier fearing a dazzling display in the League Two play-off final might attract other suitors.
Fergie said: “We thought that if we waited until the play-offs, the secret would be out, so to speak. All the TV cameras would be focused on him and it might alert a few other clubs.
“There were already quite a few interested. As well as Arsenal and Chelsea, we knew Manchester City were keeping tabs on him as well.
“So I phoned Crewe director of football Dario Gradi, told him we were keen and we started negotiating.
“We sorted the deal with the chairman and agreed we’d leave it until after the play-off finals.
“It was all in place a good 10 days beforehand. Nick’s agent told him after the match and then he came up to my house the next day and we got the deal done.”
