Manchester United chief executive David Gill has hinted Sir Alex Ferguson could have £100million to spend in the summer transfer market.
There have been widespread rumours Ferguson's hands are being tied by United's owners at present, which explains why the vast majority of the world record £80million fee received from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo remains unspent.
With debts, excluding the controversial and highly expensive payment-in-kind notes owed by the Glazer family - nudging over £500million, the worry is the situation is not going to get any easier.
But, as he tried to ease the worries of supporters, Gill insisted Ferguson has plenty of cash at his disposal. "The owners understand that they will only get value back by ensuring the team continues to be successful and continues to attract exciting players and produces results off the pitch as well," he told BBC Radio Five Live.
"They are in it for the long term. "I do not have a clue about how many players we would buy in the summer. We have well over £100million in the bank, so we will assess the squad over the next few months and go into the market as appropriate."
Source: PA
Source: PA