A snip, especially when you consider the 25-year-old will struggle to displace Luis Miguel in Luis Felipe’s Portugal side this summer (Miguel, a player who himself was part of a Valencia defence that got tonked 6-0 by Barca two weeks ago).

Manchester United’s officials must be laughing their heads off. The Reds were rumoured to be after the 25-year-old’s signature as a long-term replacement for Gary Nevile, but Sir Alex is no mug - unless it comes to signing African midfielders with similarly sounding double-barrelled surnames - I’m sure he’d rather play Gary Neville until he’s 45 than spend £16million on an average alternative.

"He's a good player but he's not worth that much money," said Portuguese journalist Alberto da Silva in a statement more obvious than the ‘smoking kills’ sticker on cigarette packets. "I don't believe Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson would have been willing to spend that much money," he continued.

Of course he wouldn’t, he’s not bloody stupid!

Chelsea have proven time and again that they’re willing to pay over the odds for duffers; a bit like blokes on a stag do in Blackpool. Schevchenko - crap. Michael Ballack – good, but it took him a season-and-a-half to reach his peak, in which time United had won two titles. Nicolas Anelka – good but started just 10 games and is expected to be shipped out in the summer after just 5 minutes and 13 seconds at Stamford Bridge. The list goes on; Belletti, Pizarro, Malouda.. need we go on?

Compare that to United’s additions. Hargreaves has been excellent, although used sparingly due to injury, then there’s Anderson, Nani and Michael Carrick; they’ve all been excellent signings.

Which is why Manchester United will win the league again next year.

Remember folks, you heard it here first - money doesn’t always bring you happiness…

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