He created the money advantage by winning trophies and using the money he received from the large fan base/stadium they have effectively. See purchases like Eric Cantona, Keane etc
Let's not forget him overseeing the rise of Scholes, Giggs, Beckham, Neville and Butt from the youth ranks.
He did what you were supposed to do in his position. FFS the whole reason we moved into the Emirates was to compete with United, Chelsea or whoever for the best players. This is why the Arshavin purchase was excellent because finally we bought what was at the time a blue chip player.
His preferential treatment from the FA/Refs is horrid and his snipes at them when he doesn't get his way is terrible as well.
This love in between Ferguson and Pulis though is pathetic. Pulis is blatently gonna bring out the red carpet for United before Stoke give it to United up the backside.