Sir Alex Ferguson reminds Manchester City that "it takes more than money to build a successful team"

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has repeated his warning to rivals Manchester City: "It takes more than money to build a successful team."

The advice comes in the wake of the Blues' embarrassing Carling Cup exit at the hands of League One side Brighton - a team who were themselves beaten at home by nine-man Walsall last weekend.

Ferguson told Manchester United's official magazine: "It's all very well having all the money but you can't buy everyone. It was proved in the summer.

"We didn't want to sell Ronaldo, other clubs don't want to sell their best players, and there are only so many players you can buy."

"Back in the 1950's Sunderland were called 'The Bank of England Team' - and they got relegated. There are no guarantees.

"You can buy 11 individuals - you can buy 11 Robinhos but it wouldn't be a team would it?

"The art of management is building a team with balance, with certain characteristics that blend with each other - that's the most important thing."

City manager Mark Hughes, who played under Ferguson at Old Trafford, has been promised time to achieve success by City's hugely wealthy new owners from Abu Dhabi.

But Ferguson added: "Mark Hughes will be faced with that situation having all this money and wondering what to do with it, and that can put you under a bit of additional pressure."

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