HIS NAME CROPS US EVERYWHERE

David Gill told Sky Sports:

“I don't think it's going to cost us a great deal. The
profits do include what we got from David's disposal. David
was a great player, and yes, he was important, but
Manchester United as a business will go forward for many
years to come.

“We will grow the business off the back of the major deals
we have in place. The Nike contract (£310million over 13
years) had an outstanding first year and will go from
strength to strength.

Nick Humby the club's group finance director agrees:

“We believe the club is bigger than any one individual. Fans
move quickly move on from old stars to new ones, who are
already starting to come through, while Nike and Vodafone
wanted to be associated with Manchester United football
club, not just one of its players.

“The departure of David Beckham was part of an overall
strategy aimed at maintaining our success over a long period
of time. The squad was getting older and the manager wanted
to bring in some younger players who will give us more
options going forward.

“These results are so strong and with the proceeds we expect
to generate from the Beckham sale, there will be further
money available to invest in the squad.”