United count the cost

MANCHESTER UNITED chief executive David Gill remained bullish yesterday about the financial implications of an unexpected Champions League exit.

The likely cost of United's failure to reach the last eight for the first time in eight seasons is estimated at well over stg£10m, a significant sum even for the world's richest club.

The impact was immediately felt on the Stock Market, where United's share price tumbled 1.5% or 4.25p to 263p.