Click here to read Martin Samuel's full column. The funny thing is, some folk still wonder if Manchester United will get back to the top. It’s when. Not if. It is an absolute inevitability. And not long-term, either. Next season, maybe. If not, the year after. Louis van Gaal will bring the title to Old Trafford. That is what modern football demands, that is what the rules dictate. UEFA decided several years ago that they wanted football to remain exactly as it was that day, and introduced regulation to facilitate a natural order. They called it Financial Fair Play. And as on that day Manchester United were the biggest club in England, that is how they shall remain.
@highlight
There is only one club that can buy Lionel Messi if he is available
@highlight
FFP means Chelsea and Manchester City are out of the running
@highlight
United demonstrated a financial capability that outstripped all rivals
@highlight
READ: Messi and the truth about the Barcelona power struggle
At this moment there is @placeholder and we have to follow certain rules, certain numbers and we have no conditions to buy a super, amazing player paid with super, amazing numbers.’