Wenger: Ferguson's future secure

"People say that the '£10million player' has crossed the ball. But, for me, all that matters is whether he's crossed the ball well or not."

Wenger insisted Arsenal held an advantage in the transfer market over United because of the flexibility that their OFEX Stock Market listing allowed them.

"Once you're a public company, your freedom is limited. You belong to the shareholders, that's why you have to disclose what's going on. When Roman Abramovich came to Chelsea, the first thing he did was buy 98 per cent of the shares and then he could do what he wants. But it's a luxury that not all clubs can afford now. I prefer to keep things quieter, though football is a sport which is difficult to adapt to being a public company, as you lose flexibility.

"We need to consult our board but, if you disclose too much, you lose part of your flexibility in deals and that can harm the quality of the work that a manager can do."

As for agents' fees, which were declared by United in the Louis Saha deal, Wenger added: "What we have to try to do is sort out for whom the agent works for. There is sometimes a grey area as to whether he works for the club or the player.

"It would be better to fix the percentage of the transfer fee for the agent at perhaps five per cent. Then you would not need to disclose it at all, as everyone would already know."