United can't match Chelsea's Russian roubles, says Gill

MANCHESTER United chief executive David Gill has conceded the club are lightweights in the transfer market compared with Premiership rivals Chelsea.

Thanks to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, the Londoners have money to burn in a bid to take the Premiership title.

United, however, have boosted their squad this summer with the arrivals of Gabriel Heinze, Alan Smith and Liam Miller. There is also speculation that United may yet make a move for 18-year-old Everton striker Wayne Rooney.

Gill knows, though, that when push comes to shove Chelsea have the larger financial muscle.

“Manchester United over the years has always been a club with the ability to spend large amounts of money in the transfer market, on players like Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rio Ferdinand,” he said. “We do have the power and the financial muscle to compete effectively in the transfer market.

“But let’s be honest, if we’re up against Chelsea and they desperately want a player, they will probably outbid us.”

However, Gill sounded a note of optimism: “They can’t get every player. In a straight fight with them, we may lose out.

“That’s why our (scouting) network needs to be good so we can identify the other player.

“If they (Chelsea) have got their number one priority, we can go for the other guy.”