Manchester United are certainly talking the talk about their ability to keep pace with Manchester City and attract top quality players after a set of financial results that raise some concerns. One would expect David Gill to put out a positive message.
Manchester United are certainly talking the talk about their ability to keep pace with Manchester City and attract top quality players after a set of financial results that raise some concerns. One would expect David Gill to put out a positive message.
However, the argument that the possibility of playing for Sir Alex Ferguson will attract the best players raises the question of what happens when he eventually leaves. When Mrs Thatcher was prime minister, the point was put to the deputy prime minister, Willie Whitelaw, in an interview that Mrs Thatcher was not immortal. His reply was, ‘we don’t know that, do we?’ Whitelaw went first, but even Mrs Thatcher eventually had to go.
The results will be analysed in more detail here later today but in summary they show more money going out of the club to meet interest payments and pay down debt; rising commercial income, reflecting the club’s strength in that area; but some concerns about turnover.