Ferguson Hails £2m Bargain Summer Signing

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has praised the impact of Swansea City's Spanish summer signing Michu who is closing in on the 20-goal mark in his maiden campaign in English football.

Michu joined The Swans from Rayo Vallecano in the summer and has helped Michael Laudrup's side into a comfortable mid-table position in the Premier League and to their first ever major trophy in the form of the League Cup, scoring in the final against Bradford City.

The 26 year old has been the linchpin of Laudrup's revolution following the summer departure of ex-manager Brendan Rodgers, as well as Joe Allen and Scott Sinclair, while Steven Caulker returned to Tottenham Hotspur after a season-long loan deal.

And Ferguson, who has enjoyed his own share of success in the transfer market and whose United side face Swansea in the penultimate league game of the season, has been hugely impressed by the form of the South Wales club.

"Swansea have been terrific," Ferguson told Manchester United's official website. "The boy Michu has been a revelation. To sign him for just £2 million and get 19 goals out of him - what a bargain!

"I wouldn't say Swansea have been the surprise package but they've really lifted their performances. They were a newly-promoted side last year and managed to survive in the top flight. This season, they've kicked on to another level and become a good middle-to-top side.

"They also won the League Cup of course and they play really good football. I'd say they're the team of the year with Michu a real bargain buy."

In the pair's first meeting of the season at the Liberty Stadium in December, Michu struck a second half equaliser to end a run of five successive United wins after Patrice Evra had handed the league leaders an early advantage.

But the draw only worked as a catalyst for United to tighten their grip on the title, with 31 points taken from the 33 available since the trip across the Seven Bridge.

With the gap now 15 points at the top to champions Manchester City, United require just 10 points, assuming they defeat their near neighbours at the start of April, in order to claim a 20th league championship.