Manchester United insist the lack of Champions League cash this season won't affect their summer spending.

It is estimated the Red Devils will lose approximately £3million per round in prize-money alone by being in UEFA's secondary competition, and although the Europa League does include an extra round, United realise games will not prove as attractive to fans.

However, while they acknowledge revenues will dip, United insist that will have no impact on manager Sir Alex Ferguson's ability to compete in the transfer market, no matter what their critics say.

Ferguson has consistently argued he will not pay over the odds for players and refused to splash out the huge amount of money it would have cost to take Wesley Sneijder to Old Trafford from Inter Milan in the summer after previously missing out on alternative targets Luka Modric and Samir Nasri.

"Sir Alex Ferguson didn't want to buy anyone," insisted a club spokesman.