[mg91]

I'm not saying what Fergie is doing is completely agreeable, but I don't think you can compare it with Real Madrid's tactics in their ruthless pursuit of Ronaldo.

If a youngster who is part of another academy is not under contract, then other clubs are not acting illegally when they offer the youngster a contract. If the player had already signed a pre-contract deal then it's a completely different story but I am certain Situ hasn't and either had Davide Petrucci.

Real's pursuit of Ronaldo was different in the way that Ronaldo was under a 4 year contract and Real were powerless in their pursuit unless United accepted an offer. The way Real Madrid tempted Ronaldo with big cash offers and attempted to have him force his way out of Old Trafford was very different to what United has done with these youngsters. The whole situation of course wasn't helped by Ronaldo's failure to commit himself to United, and I am not suggesting he should not escape any blame.

But at the end of the day, these players are not contracted to their club at the moment and Fergie's PRIVATE pursuit of these players is perfectly legitimate. He is not coming out and saying day in and day out that he will sign this player and that player, like others *cough* Calderon *cough* have done in the past, and he is certainly not courting a contracted player.