PETER KENYON, THE Chelsea chief executive, has been advised to keep out of Manchester United’s business by David Gill, who succeeded him in the same role at Old Trafford. United were shocked last week when their former chief executive accused them and Arsenal of “hypocrisy and insecurity” in their criticism of Chelsea’s conduct and Gill, while reluctant to antagonise, has made clear his disapproval of Kenyon’s comments.

“I’m not going to comment on other clubs,” Gill said initially. “That’s his view. It was amazing when he said that, but if that’s his view, that’s his view. You expect the managers to have a go at each other. That’s all part of the game — Alex (Ferguson) with José (Mourinho), Alex with Arsène (Wenger), that’ s all part of it. I just think you don’t need to do it at that level.”

Gill also expressed dissatisfaction that Kenyon was pictured having dinner with Rio Ferdinand, agreeing that he was “shocked and surprised” when he saw the photographs, but, while he would not discuss the defender’s future, he did discuss his own position, which has been called into question by some after the takeover by the Glazer family.

“I won’t shy away from the fact that I was part of the board that came out publicly and said that we found the plan aggressive and the level of debt that was there,” Gill said. “But it is what it is and we have to look forward positively to the future.

“I could up sticks and move away, but I love the job, I’ve always supported the club and, while there’s a small number of fans who think I should leave, I don’t subscribe to that view. If you ask the employees of Manchester United, then without being arrogant, I think most wouldn’t want me to leave. Some would and would probably say so, but others wouldn’t. The manager probably doesn’t want me to leave either, so you’ve got to look at it from all areas and see what transpires.”

United concluded their four-match pre-season tour of the Far East on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Urawa Reds in front of 58,389 people in the Saitama Stadium near Tokyo. Their preparations for the new campaign continue on Wednesday with a friendly against Royal Antwerp in Belgium, with Roy Keane, whose absence from the tour has attracted suspicion, likely to play after appearing for most of a reserve-team friendly match away to Walsall on Saturday.

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