Spurs legend Lineker: Man City deal for Vieira is warning to Man Utd

England and Tottenham legend Gary Lineker believes Manchester City's decision to sign Patrick Vieira represents a huge warning to Manchester United fans.

In his column for the Mail on Sunday, Lineker wrote: "I must admit I find it a bit strange that City would take a 33-year-old no longer considered good enough for Inter Milan's first team by Jose Mourinho.

"Nevertheless, the fact they can afford to pay so handsomely for a player who is not a long-term investment says a lot about City's healthy financial state compared with everyone else's, with the possible exception of Chelsea.

"The most worried people by this will be the supporters of Manchester United, who are waiting and waiting to see if Sir Alex Ferguson spends the £80m he received for Cristiano Ronaldo.

"A shift in the balance of power between United and City won't happen overnight because Manchester United are such a huge club.

"But you can see it happening if, indeed, the debt at Old Trafford is as intrusive as believed and they cannot spend on the top players in future years."