competitively on the field this season. But they are playing
catch-up in a number of areas - not just in stadium size but
the whole brand and exploitation of the whole brand around
the world.
"If we can go ahead with our stadium we will still have
15,000 more people coming every week to our games than
Arsenal have in their new stadium. We think we can do that
without any debt whereas Arsenal will go into significant
debt [£260m].
"They will be able to grow their match-day revenue but they
will have further issues to manage in terms of debt, which
we won't have.
"The key for us is that you can't build a brand like
Manchester United over a couple of years. It's a long
process. They have caught us up competitively on the field
this season.
"But they are playing catch-up in a number of areas - not
just in stadium size but the whole brand and exploitation of
it around the world."
And what about Chelsea? Humby added: "They are even further
behind. Cash doesn't buy this. Ask Peter what he thinks
about how long it will take for Chelsea to become a world
brand. Our job is to focus on keeping Manchester United
moving forward and Peter's job is to worry how he deals with
Chelsea."
Sir Alex Ferguson was asked if Arsenal could one day be as
big as United. "Impossible, impossible," he said.
David Gill said: "A lot has appreciated over 50 years -
since the Munich plane tragedy, Best, Charlton and Law and
the first English team to win the European Cup. This isn't
built up overnight. You can't go and buy fans."
Ferguson added: "Just take a walk in Gibraltar some day, or
Singapore, and see if it is Manchester United or Arsenal
they're talking about."
Gill said: "Chelsea can't get every player. Chelsea have the
money but United have fans all around the world and a
stadium that is paid for.
"A lot of players want to play for Manchester United because
Alex has a reputation for giving youth a chance and they
play in front of a sell-out crowd every week."
Ugh