Manchester United chief executive David Gill has defended the transfer fee paid to Tottenham for Michael Carrick.
Gill revealed that the basic fee for the 25-year-old midfielder was �14m, rising to �18.6m depending on the success of the club and the player.
“The figure is �14m and that is appropriate,” Gill said on Wednesday.
“There is a premium on English players but we are very comfortable with the fee, we have got a great player at a great price.”
Carrick will wear ex-captain Roy Keane’s number 16 shirt at Old Trafford, but insisted he felt no pressure to live up to the former United star.
“People are always going to talk about Roy, he is one of the legends in the game, but I’m my own man and replacing him is not something I’m focused on,” he said.
“I’m focused on my own game and that’s the best way to go for me.
“Once I heard United were involved in trying to sign me I wanted to come, simple as that,” he said.
“It’s a terrific club and I just wanted to come and improve my game, achieve things and win trophies.”
Carrick said on Tuesday that the move was made to advance his career.
“It’s an offer that has come at the right time – professionally and personally,” he said.
“I felt I couldn’t turn it down. This is a football decision, a decision not driven by money.”
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said he felt Carrick was an excellent prospect.
“He’s a very, very good passer of the ball,” he said.
“The good thing is he’s been playing English football. He went into a West Ham team very young and most players who come through West Ham get a good education.”