Last Updated: Sat, 06 Sep 2008 11:42
Ryan Giggs has told mega-rich neighbours Manchester City money cannot buy the history and popularity of Manchester United.
The Eastlands outfit were taken over by Dr Sulaiman al-Fahim and his Abu Dhabi United company this week and raised eyebrows with a shock late swoop for Robinho from Real Madrid for a British record £34.2million.
The new owners have also expressed a desire to tempt Cristiano Ronaldo away from Old Trafford as part of their masterplan to become a world force.
However Giggs, while intrigued by this week's events, insists no club can match the unique history and popularity of the Double winners.
"City have the richest owner in the world but I still see United as the biggest club in the world," the veteran winger told the official club website.
"United have a status and history that it has taken years to build up. It stretches back to the Busby Babes, to players like Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best. It will be very interesting to see what happens at City, but what we have at United is very special.
"You see it when we go abroad in pre-season, you appreciate how popular United is. We have fans in India, China, South America. That popularity is a result of our history. Money can't necessarily get you that."
"A lot will depend on the players they buy, how quickly they gel and how they handle the attention," he added, when asked if City could gratecrash the 'Big Four'.
"People have been asking for a long time now if somebody can break into the group. People will expect that club to be City and there will be a lot of pressure on them each season now. Everybody's attention will be on Manchester."