No City Concern For Gill

Manchester United chief executive David Gill is not concerned by what could be described as a changing financial landscape in the Premier League that has been led by rivals Manchester City.

The Old Trafford club's spending, or lack of it, has come under the spotlight in the past week after the sensational developments regarding the future of star striker Wayne Rooney.

Before he signed a new contract last Friday, the England star was reportedly close to joining City, who it has been suggested are now showing more ambition on account of a wage bill of £133million, which has rocketed up by £50m in the last year.

United's £131.7million salary outlay has therefore been overtaken in the process, but Gill is adamant that his club can still compete against their arch-rivals from across town.

Asked if he was concerned that United are now behind City in the wages league, Gill said: "No not really - I'm not concerned by that as ever since we have been a public company we have had a policy that wages should be 50 per cent or less of turnover.

"We believe we can do that and still retain and attract the stars we need on the pitch. We think that's the sensible model.

"Clubs have other models - that's their prerogative. Each to their own."

United have managed to match Chelsea on the pitch in terms of silverware since Roman Abramovich took over at Stamford Bridge.

Gill added: "That's exactly right - we have remained competitive."

United's latest financial figures earlier in October revealed that the club's wage bill is £131.7m. Chelsea's is £142m, City's £133.3m and Arsenal are fourth with £110m spent annually on salaries.