Sir Alex Ferguson has accused some of Manchester United's rivals of going on a "kamikaze" spending spree. He did not mention any club by name but given that Manchester City unveiled their latest big-money capture, Mario Balotelli, and confirmed James Milner is on the verge of completing his switch from Aston Villa barely an hour before he spoke, it was not difficult to see where his thoughts lay.

By the time they sign Milner, City will have spent around £125m this summer, way in excess of any other Premier League club. In paying wages believed to be in excess of £200,000 a week to Yaya Toure, City have done much to fuel a situation where Ferguson insists there is now no value in the transfer market.

United's critics argue that is a convenient foil for the financial restraints that exist due to huge debts incurred by the Glazer family. Yet, flanked by his own close-season purchases – Javier Hernandez, Chris Smalling and Bebe – Ferguson outlined his view of transfer inflation that he does not believe will come to an end for a good while yet.

"Over the last two or three years we have seen very wealthy owners become part of football clubs and therefore go on this kamikaze effort to spend their money," he said. "It is amazing the amounts of money that are being bandied about in the present-day game. Some people may think it could be dangerous. But if they have that kind of money, they are certainly using it.

"I don't see it abating. The kind of spending we are seeing at the moment will be here for two or three years, until such time as they understand you can't necessarily achieve all the time by spending."

Although United failed to capture two of Germany's rising stars, Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil, who have both agreed moves to Real Madrid, Ferguson views investment in younger players as being of far more benefit to his side.

"Young players develop if you are looking after them properly," said Ferguson. "They do have a loyalty because they appreciate the education you give them as coaches. How we treat players is important. It is difficult to know what other clubs think. We are just the type of club who can do it. The foundations of this club were built on young people, going back to the 1950s. It has not really left.

"Maybe the difference is that other clubs don't have the consistency in manager and staff that Manchester United have."

Not that Ferguson is ruling out the possibility of ever signing more experienced players. It is only two years since he spent a club record £30.75m on Dimitar Berbatov and with Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Edwin van der Sar and Gary Neville all nearing the end of their careers, it may be impossible to rely solely on youth.

"There will be a time when we have to buy a more mature player," Ferguson said. "At the moment, this is a young players club. But they will grow old too. In 10 years' time, we will be looking to replace them. Hopefully they are there in 10 years' time. That is the object in terms of having a long-term vision for the club."