Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes fans will not flock to Manchester City simply because of their new found wealth. Seemingly limitless funds could not prevent City being dumped out of the Carling Cup in a penalty shoot-out by League One Brighton.

And The Reds chief believes fans will not be enticed away from United.

He told Inside United, the club's official magazine: "I think that supporting football clubs is an inherent thing, you normally follow the team that your father or your grandfather followed, that's the normal pattern.

"That loyalty remains all your life and it applies to fans of clubs up and down the country, big or small.

"What you're brought up with, it stays with you, and that's what supporting a team means. I don't think any 13-year-olds will be jumping ship because City have got a load of money!"