Manchester City chairman Thaksin Shinawatra is delighted with the progress being made this season.

The Manchester Evening News says Thaksin held a two-day series of meetings with key personnel at the stadium during his stay.

Sources close to the former Thai Prime Minister reported that he was happy with what he heard - so happy he took one afternoon off to browse the stores in Manchester with his family!

Thaksin met with manager Sven-Goran Eriksson to discuss his shopping list with chief executive Alistair Mackintosh, vice-chairman John Wardle and Eriksson's close ally and recruitment chief Tord Grip. Thaksin made it clear there would be money to spend without going into specific sums and re-iterated his three-year plan for the club that has called for a UEFA Cup place at the end of next season.

The chairman also met with academy boss Jim Cassell to hear his plans for the future and the talent coming through the City youth system.