a) using Oliver Holt as a credible sounding board - deary me

b) “without the benefit of United’s playing or financial resources”? Really? Liverpool have spent far more than united for a number of years. That their playing resources are inferior to Ferguson’s is a result of the Fat Controller’s poor judgement of a player. United have actually made a profit from transfers for the past two seasons and been well out-spent by Liverpool, particularly bearing in mind the loss of Keane and van Nistelrooy amongst others.
c) I’ll grant you that Fergie’s overall record in Europe is not brilliant - but ask Liverpol if they would prefer one scabby European Cup win or nine premiership titles. The competition has become a joke when teams with not even a whiff of a chance of their domestic title are allowed to compete in the “Champions” league. Wigan would’ve probably won it had they finished high enough to qualify. It’s a lottery with the top teams, United, Chelsea, Inter being burned out whilst those without a prayer of competing at home can go through the motions and keep themselves in trim for the knockout competitions. Even Greece have proved this farcical state of affairs at international level, as have Italy, with few of their players involved in serious European conflict leading up to their WC win, despite Milan’s eventual coming good at the right time.