Former United Star: Ferguson Priced me out of Move

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak claimed the Red Devils priced him out of several transfers to top flight clubs during his last few seasons at Old Trafford.

The 30 year old signed for Championship side Brighton and Hove Albion this summer, after his United contract ran out, ending his six-year association with the club. And the Poland international, who never managed to become No 1 at Old Trafford, has accused the club and manager, Sir Alex Fergsuon, of hampering his career with unrealistic transfer demands.

"For the last year, I had the chance to move to many good teams. I always said that I want to play, I asked for permission to leave. At United, they said they would let me go. But for five million pounds. Shay Given had three years on his deal at [Manchester] City and was sold to [Aston] Villa for £2m [in 2011]. I had one more year at Old Trafford and they wanted £5m. This sum of money was unacceptable," the Daily Mirror quoted Kuszczak as saying.

"It wasn't everything fair from their side. For three years I tried to leave but Sir Alex Ferguson said he needs me. Not everything was down to me. But he was thinking only about his team. West Brom was the most determined to sign me. We dropped to £4m, but [even] that was too much. Clubs from Russia, Turkey and Olympiakos [wanted me]. I was close to CSKA Moscow and their keeper Igor Akinfeev had an injury and they wanted to loan someone. I reached individual agreement but Manchester wanted too much," the former Hertha Berlin shot-stopper stressed.

Kuszczak also revealed that even after all these issues, he left United on good terms with Ferguson but chose not to shake hands with all the first team players.

"We said our goodbyes normally, I talked with him and there were a few honest words that had to be said. I have to leave it for myself. But I went out with dignity. I shook the hand with those I only wanted," he added.

Kuszczak's consistent performances for Brighton have earned him a recall to the Poland squad for the World Cup qualifier against England in Warsaw, as Arsenal duo Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski remain sidelined.