Manchester City executive chairman Garry Cook is confident City will be one of the biggest clubs in the world within the next decade. City are backed by the riches of the Abu Dhabi United Group, owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family.

With such financial muscle behind them Cook feels City will one day be able to compete with the giants of the world game.

"I know this club will be one of the biggest clubs in the world in 10 years' time - I have no doubts about that," he said.

"But you can't do that with the flick of a switch. You have to do things over a period of time.

"Over the next few years you will see footballers that are world superstars start to want to be at Manchester City."