Manchester United executive vice chairman Ed Woodward has insisted that their recent commercial business illustrates that they remain the "biggest club in the world".
There were fears that the global status of the Red Devils would suffer following their seventh-place Premier League finish last season and a lack of European football for the upcoming campaign.
However, they have recently struck hugely lucrative sponsorship deals with American car company Cheverolet and Adidas, who have agreed a world-record £750m deal to supply United's kit.
As well as attracting partnerships with some of the biggest companies on the planet, Woodward has stressed that the Old Trafford outfit also still have the pulling power to sign the game's top players.
He told reporters: "What the deal shows and what we are seeing and everything we are doing from a commercial perspective, also from talking to agents and players about wanting to come to us, we are the biggest club in the world. There is no question in my mind about that.
"All I am saying is that there is a different expectation at this club. It is a different size in terms of interest level, fan base, a lot of what we tried to do. We also have a commercial arm that interacts with the football club in a way that doesn't disrupt the football club."
Woodward was speaking in Los Angeles, where Louis van Gaal's side are enjoying the latest leg of their pre-season tour.
Joe Fish
