Eastern promise for United despite problems, says Gill

MANCHESTER UNITED chief executive David Gill has insisted the Red Devils’ Far East tour was a roaring success despite the endless stream of negative headlines.

Roy Keane, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rio Ferdinand all found themselves in the news for the wrong reasons, while a crowd well below expectations in Beijing suggested United’s popularity in the region is fading.

Gill admits criticism over the Beijing gate is justified, but is adamant the 10-day four-match trip, which earned the club £6 million (€8.6m), was worthwhile from both a footballing and commercial standpoint.