United focus on long-term success
August 16, 2012 11:30:38 UK
Manchester United have insisted their financial fortunes do not hinge on winning the Premier League this season, despite the potentially massive outlay on striker Robin van Persie.
Robin van Persie is on the brink of joining United.The Reds agreed a £24million fee for the Dutch striker on Wednesday and are reported to be prepared to pay the former Arsenal idol an incredible £235,000 a week including image rights - making him the second highest-paid player in Britain after new team-mate Wayne Rooney.
That amounts to a bank-busting £70million total outlay but United chief executive David Gill has moved quickly to dismiss fears the club will struggle to meet its huge debt mountain if it does not result in immediate silverware.
United are 1.002 to win the league this season, while reigning champions City are at 51.00 and Arsenal can be backed at 751.00.
The Red Devils recently floated on the US Stock Exchange and financial analysts have predicted their shares could take a further battering in the coming weeks ahead.
We need to be successful and challenging for titles every year.
David Gill
But Gill tells the latest edition of Greater Manchester Business Week: "I don't think the results on a weekend will affect the share price on a Monday.
"We understand as a club, and have done ever since I have been involved and before that, that what happens on the pitch is key to our aspirations off the pitch.
"We need to be successful and challenging for titles every year, not necessarily winning them, but challenging."
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