Manchester United vice-president Ed Woodman insists money will always be available to buy big names. Woodward revealed that the owners will continue to support big purchases of established stars, much like the summer purchase of Robin van Persie for Arsenal for £24m.

He said: "The Robin van Persie deal perhaps stands out as people incorrectly viewed that we had a policy of only buying young players.

"The DNA of the club has always been to buy young players and to develop players. And that's what Sir Alex has always preferred to do.

"But equally he's always taken the view that if a top player comes along that he wants then, once every few years, he'll do it. And he was backed to do that in a wholehearted manner and we'll continue to do that.

"Ever since the takeover the Glazers have supported Sir Alex Ferguson 100 per cent in the transfer market. Every player that he has gone after, in conjunction with [chief executive] David Gill has been signed off and approved by Joel Glazer.

"Joel's never said no. It's not about how much money the club had, the club has always had sufficient funds to buy players and that position is even stronger going forward because of our financial strength."