Ferguson laments departure of United chief executive Gill

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to club chief executive David Gill, who will be standing down from the position this summer.

Gill is to leave his post on June 30, with his duties being taken on by executive vice chairman Ed Woodward.

Gill, inset left, who joined the Red Devils as their finance director in February 1997 and assumed the role of chief executive in September 2003, is to remain as a club director.