As the English Premier League campaign draws to a climax the blame game soon emerges around Old Trafford. How has this very same team who last year won the Premier League, perform so abysmal? Perhaps more appreciation for who and what Sir Alex Ferguson was is in order, the Greatest British manager of all time. Now we live in a era where Sir Alex Ferguson isn't at the helm for United and the Scot's appointed successor appears to be finding life challenging in Manchester. David Moyes since his appointment by Ferguson has been placed under the microscope at Old Trafford.

Are things at United much different from before to now? When looking at United's local rivals at Manchester City, there is a plethora of players that were linked to United at times but chose opposite. David Silva after his triumph with Spain in the European Championship of 2008 was linked to both United and City. Valencia in 2010 was in financial disarray (which really not much has changed) and had to opt for the larger offer, which came from the Citizens (24 million pounds). So in 2010 Silva would don the number 21 jersey for City and has been a crucial asset to Manchester City's midfield. Samir Nasri also was linked to join the Red Devils at some point. Instead Manchester City paid the hefty fee of 25 million pounds and he now he's the City's number "8."

Oddly the list doesn't stop there, Yaya Toure who left Barcelona in the summer of 2010 was also rumored to have acquired the interest of both the Red Devils and the Citizens. The story doesn't change, City paid the money (24 million pounds) and so Yaya became another crucial cog in Manchester City's midfield. Even in the realm of attack, United had an opportunity to acquire Eden Dzeko in the summer of 2009. But the Bosnian decided to stay at Wolfsburg a little longer to build his "stock." Rightly so, 2009-2010 Bundesliga season saw Dzeko as top scorer with 22 goals. City again got to Eden before their red counterparts and purchased the Bosnian's services for a fee of 27 million pounds.

Granted these particular four players for Manchester City have cost the blues 100 million pounds, perhaps more including their salaries. It appears in the football transfer market today, clubs have to pay a pretty premium for players of pristine quality. Instead over the same amount of years and perhaps with a smaller expense report Manchester United did acquire players. The question should still stand on these players if they have that certain quality, since it is more than evident that in the football market today, "you get what you pay for."