Cole sale gets Ferguson backing
Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Arsenal's decision to offload Ashley Cole to Chelsea.
The most protracted transfer of the summer was finally concluded on deadline day with Cole leaving for Stamford Bridge, William Gallas heading in the other direction and Chelsea paying an additional £5million.
Eyebrows were raised at the fee involved, particularly as it had previously been suggested Arsenal could expect to receive upwards of £20million for the full-back, who had a major fall-out with Gunners officials over their handling of the 'tapping up' scandal last year.
However, Ferguson, whose side entertain Arsenal tomorrow, believes the Londoners were right to do the deal and thinks the addition of Gallas could prove to be inspired.
"The transfer of Ashley Cole was the biggest certainty of all time," Ferguson told United Review.
"Selling him was the sensible thing to do and, if ever an exchange was obvious, the arrival of William Gallas made sense too.
"It was clear that when they decided to let Sol Campbell go that they had someone in mind to replace him.
"Now the dust is settling after so much turmoil and I am sure Arsene Wenger will be delighted to be able to concentrate on his team instead of having to spend time and energy on off-field stuff."
