United chief exec believes debts will catch Gunners

Manchester United chief executive David Gill has rejected suggestions that Arsenal are close to ending the era of Old Trafford dominance because he believes the Gunners will soon be hobbled by debts.

On the pitch, Arsene Wenger’s side have left United looking ordinary as they established what looks like an impregnable lead in the Premiership and maintained a presence in the Champions League.

The two clubs meet in the league tomorrow and again next weekend in an FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park with Arsenal favourites to progress.

But Gill warned that United are still financial champions, pointing to the Gunners’ plans to build a new stadium at Ashburton Grove as a drain on their resources.

“People talk about the United empire crumbling and that Arsenal have a great new future but let’s not ignore the fact that their debts will be £280-300m (€418m-€448m) and that is a lot of debt to service,” Gill told the Daily Telegraph.

“Arsenal are a very well run club but, compared with us, our off-the-field revenue is a lot bigger and we have got this magnificent stadium which is paid for.”