Rafa puts the difference down to cash

Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez, says the main reason that Manchester United are ahead of his side in the Premier League table is the amount of cash they have to spend. Benitez continues to rattle off the words and excuses as it now seems all but certain that United will wrap up another league crown later today.

Benitez’s point is that every single player in the United squad carries a price tag and capital of a big sum of money, making the side a lot further away from the other teams that many think. However, it is a hard point to believe or go into when you consider the fact that Liverpool spent big money on Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane, the latter of which was sold back to Tottenham at an £8 million loss.

This in irony is one of the reasons United are financially more savvy than Liverpool. You very rarely see Sir Alex Ferguson going and spending £20 million on a player who he then decides he doesn’t like half a year later and then sells him off at a loss.

It is also important to remember that Ferguson built the success of United without the big money that he is now able to spend and it is this original success that attracted the better players and the bigger sponsors.

Liverpool have not had this success and although they may appear lucrative to sponsor because of the stature of the club and the history, in terms of modern success they are a little way off other clubs.

Speaking today, Benitez said: “When you talk about United, you are talking about a side that spends big, big money on every single player, every season. For me that is the main difference between the teams.”

Well arguably United now stand as the third richest club in England when it comes to funds available for transfers, behind the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City. The point is that it is not the amount of money that breeds the success, it is how it is used.

Take the example of Everton who have been one of the only teams in the last few years to break into the top four and this is without lavish spending and working on a shoe string budget. It proves that there is still room for hard work in football and although Benitez may believe that money is the main difference, this just seems like the Spaniard grabbing at an excuse as his side’s title challenge has now failed.

Furthermore United have proved that they have a wealth of gifted youngsters at the club, all ready to step into the first team and have a big future as professionals. These are all young men that have not been bought at the peak of their career from another club. It proves that the United academy is functioning well and shows that efficient coaching is another reason for the success.

No doubt Liverpool will spend big this summer, they have to, in order to get closer to United. The point is that it is how Benitez spends the money, not the quantity. This is what sets aside the teams.