ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE:MANCHESTER UNITED have turned down the chance to sign David Villa, the Spain striker, because of the financial restrictions placed upon Alex Ferguson by the Glazer family.

Villa is to leave Valencia in the summer, with information recently reaching United that they are his preferred destination.

But Valencia want around €43 million and United’s position is that the fee is financially prohibitive at a time when the club has accrued debts in excess of €800 million.

United have instead agreed a deal with Chivas de Guadalajara for Mexico striker Javier Hernandez (21).