The point is even if Chelsea implode with all these players, like Duff becoming unsettled, there's no way in hell Chelsea would ever sell them to us. They hold all the aces, they got the money, the location and the practical guarantee of the Premiership title.
The grim fact is United can't compete in the World market anymore, it's certainly questionable that they can still attract the top players. Years ago if you asked a player where he'd consider going it'd be "Madrid, Milan, Manchester or Barcelona. Now it's "Chelsea or Real Madrid" Inter Milan now have the top lure of Italian football (they are in Europe) and they're already closing on Torres and Vieira apparently.
What have United got - history and a big stadium. Well yeah. But how likely are United to win the European cup next year or the premiership title?
"No I'm sorry Mr Mourinho, but the money and the fact I can challenge for everything is irrelevant. Manchester United have far more fans worldwide and a much richer history."
What makes it worse is that we have United players openly expressing desires and dreams to play for Madrid - players used to dream of playing for United, and sadly that is now what we have lost.
I'm sorry to rant on, but I genuinely believe that United's lure and drawing power has been lost, and I fear a Liverpool esque barren period is awaiting.
All we can do is give those chosen to wear our colours, our support as we always have.
Mike