SIR ALEX FERGUSON will almost be able see the dollar signs flashing in the eyes of Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini when they sheikh hands at Old Trafford this lunchtime.

City’s billions have given birth to a generation of green-eyed monsters in England and abroad, jealous of the club’s staggering wealth.

But Ferguson is one of the few who doesn’t care about Mancini’s lottery jackpot, which allows him to buy the biggest names in world football.

Because Fergie knows that if he wants a big cheque writing, there will be no shortage of signatures from United’s American owners.

And even City’s lavish blueprint for the future, with a state-of-the-art training centre and academy complex, doesn’t get the United boss hot and bothered.

Ferguson is confident in the knowledge that the best young talent around will always come knocking on his door first.

He said: “There’s no question of envy. There’s a lot of people who envy us. We can’t do anything about it, can we? We have a structure here.

“You can do a lot of things with money of course. But there’s not a lot we can do with our training ground other than the things we’re going to be doing next summer. And we’re ahead of the game in that respect.

“We have a good training ground. We have a good youth system. There’s nothing much we can do about that. We don’t have to touch it.

“Money isn’t the important issue for us at the moment. If I need a player, the Glazers have been great. They have always provided the money – and they will continue to do so.”

And Fergie is quick to point out the difference between his legacy at United and City’s swift rise since being taken over in September 2008.

He added: “The difference between us and City is that we have built up over a long, long period – there’s a structure here.

“City have got to do it in a quick spell because, with the Abu Dhabi people taking over, they were probably looking for instant results and they’re getting them.

“I think the foothold we have in Manchester will allow us to get the share of the best players in the future. They can’t get them all.”

Ferguson has also been planning his tactics for today’s game and the United boss is sure City’s David Silva will be a key man.

He said: “They have options but Silva is one who will definitely play, he’s making them tick at the moment.

“He’s been one of their best players so far this season.”