YOUNG ATTACKING TALENTS: Anderson (above) and Nani have been dubbed the new Ronaldinho and Cristiano Ronaldo respectively. -- AFP, REUTERS

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They splurged £35 million to sign two of the most promising young attacking talents in world football - Sporting's Anderson and Porto's Nani.

The two have been dubbed the new Ronaldinho and Cristiano Ronaldo respectively.

Then the club confirmed the £17-million capture of England international Owen Hargreaves from Bayern Munich.

The speed with which the deals were done have caught out Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, who have yet to announce a single significant signing.

Now, they have to play catch-up, just three weeks after United picked up record title No 9. It is clear no expense will be spared for title No 10.

Not since Wayne Rooney's arrival in the autumn of 2004 for an initial £20 million have United spent this much to refresh their playing squad, and will dispel the notion that American owner Malcolm Glazer is tight-fisted.

The trio of signings will send shock waves through the Premiership. While Chelsea could match such financial clout, it remains to be seen whether Liverpool and Arsenal can match such spending power.

Hargreaves' move from Bayern has long been expected as he has been linked to United for a year. The German club's general manager, Uli Hoeness, had accused the midfielder of 'prostituting himself' to Old Trafford.

Not that Ferguson will care.

The 26-year-old, who has been handed a five-year deal, is expected to line up with Michael Carrick in central midfield, as he has done for England.

Hargreaves, England fans' player of the year in 2006 after starring at the World Cup, should provide the defensive cover United have lacked in recent years.

Ferguson's interest in Nani, considered the most exciting home-grown forward to have emerged in Portugal since Ronaldo, has long been reported.

But the £17.3-million transfer fee for the winger is the biggest Sporting have ever received, and is almost 50 per cent more than what United paid them for Ronaldo four years ago.

David Gill, the United chief executive, and Carlos Queiroz, the assistant manager, travelled to Lisbon on Wednesday to finalise the deal after Tottenham registered their interest in the 20-year-old.

Born in the Cape Verde Islands, Nani made his league debut two years ago after taking Portuguese nationality, scoring five goals in 29 appearances last season.

Noted for his long passing and shots, he made his Portugal debut in November. Sporting decided to sell him reluctantly only when they realised they could not keep him.

'Going to England is an attractive option for me because the Premiership is one of the best leagues in the world and it would be a good challenge,' said Nani last week.

The £17.3-million move for 19-year-old Brazilian playmaker Anderson, tracked by Real Madrid and Chelsea, came as more of a surprise.

He will require a work permit, but given that he will make his international debut in next month's Copa America after having been called up by Brazil coach Dunga, it is a formality.

The dreadlocked Anderson Luis de Abreu Oliveira - that is his full name - came to prominence when he was chosen as player of the tournament in the 2005 World Under-17 Championship despite losing the final to Mexico.

The combative midfielder may end up replacing Paul Scholes, although he can also play on the wing or as a striker, with his speed and tricks.

Ferguson is not done though - United are still searching for a striker.

Gabriel Heinze, the Argentina left-back, is also expected to leave in the close season, with Ferguson keen to find extra cover at full-back to support Patrice Evra.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said last week that clubs needed to move fast in order to add top players to their squads for next season, and United have done just that.

ASSOCIATED PRESS