United had agreed a £7m fee with Real Zaragoza and it looked as though Aimar was set to join fellow Argentinian Jonas Gutierrez on Tyneside.
But the deal went tits-up and he claimed it was because Benfica was always more attractive to him, but that does not seem to be the case.
But the deal went tits-up and he claimed it was because Benfica was always more attractive to him, but that does not seem to be the case.
Aimar's reasons for rejecting United have to be a trifle worrying.
Mike Ashley told us last season that the days of the club paying "way over the top wages" are gone, and this obviously seems to be the case.
But, as we have seen this summer, United's new policy as far as wages are concerned is going to make it more difficult to get top players.
We are seen as the 'poor boys' to the top European players because we cannot even offer InterToto European football, never mind Champions League.
That in itself has proved a major problem. You are either in Europe ... or you are nobody!