No power switch, claims Kenyon successor at United

DAVID GILL’S first task as Manchester United’s new chief executive yesterday has been to play down the significance of predecessor Peter Kenyon’s shock defection to rivals Chelsea.

In stepping up from his role as managing director, Gill faces the onerous task of softening the potentially damaging blow created by the departure of Kenyon, a man who has the inside financial track on Manchester United. Kenyon will join Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich's Chelsea revolution in a few months' time after serving a period of what is being described as "garden leave" during which contracts and compensation will be resolved.

In his six years at Old Trafford, the latter three of which were as chief executive, Kenyon's marketing genius saw him turn the club into a global brand and attract the likes of Nike and Vodafone in multi-million pound sponsorship deals.

Although more than £15m was wiped off United's market value with a 4% slump in shares yesterday in the wake of Kenyon's exit, in raising the club's profile across the world, he has ensured they are financially secure for decades to come.

But it is the secrets he takes with him to Stamford Bridge which will be of concern to the powers that be inside Old Trafford, in particular as he was instrumental in the transfer and contract negotiations of so many of United's high-profile stars.

After signing £111m worth of players in the summer, Abramovich's capture of Kenyon would appear to be his most significant recruit to date as Chelsea will also look to muscle in on the Far East and north American markets United went on to crack. Although conceding to "complete and utter shock" at Kenyon's swift exit, Gill was adamant it was business as usual at Old Trafford, underlining United's positive points in comparison to a club like Chelsea.

"We don't believe it's a power switch," insisted Gill on Manchester United Radio. "The changes yesterday won't affect what happens on the pitch. We did a lot of transfer deals in the summer and we've still got the best manager in football, one of the best teams in Europe and the players will just get on with it. We've got great fans in this country and around the world that's what separates us from ou rivals. The institution of Manchester United is very strong and it's up to us as a board to make sure we protect and develop that institution.

"This is just an evolution. The speed of it and Peter going to a competitor raises the interest levels, but I don't think it detracts from what we're doing." The transitional period from Kenyon to Gill should be a smooth one for United, with the latter stressing the particular need to develop a bond with boss Sir Alex Ferguson if problems are to be avoided.