Alex Ferguson has been promised all the financial muscle he needs in order to keep Manchester United at the top of the Premiership pile.

Reports have emerged from a leaked document circulated this summer, around the time of the major refinancing of the loans Malcolm Glazer took out to complete his takeover of the club 12 months previously, that Ferguson's transfer spending has been capped at £25million per year.

Although it is also suggested a £25million 'superstar budget' also exists for a one-off purchase of a star name, fans opposed to the Glazers' involvement are bound to question United's ability to compete in the transfer market at a time when Liverpool are in the throes of a potential takeover which could propel them into the Chelsea class of big-spenders.

However, the Glazer family have been quick to reassure supporters that United, who currently sit two points clear at the top of the Premiership, remain able to compete for the best players.

And, should a situation arise as in 2004, when Wayne Rooney was snapped up from Everton in a £28million deal, the cash will be found.

"Manchester United is the richest club in the world," said a spokesman for the Glazer family.

"If the manager feels that the right player is available, then Manchester United will always seek to secure him."

Given the sales of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Mikel Jon Obi, who joined Chelsea for £12million having never played a game for United, the Red Devils actually made a transfer surplus during the summer, when £18.6million midfielder Michael Carrick was the only permanent addition to Ferguson's squad.

United have been linked with a January transfer window move for Southampton's promising young full-back Gareth Bale, although so far, Ferguson's only acquisition has been the arrival of Henrik Larsson on a 10-week loan from Helsingborgs.

No-one from the Glazer family has been prepared to substantiate the reports from the leaked document but the sheer detail suggests they are accurate.

Of major interest is confirmation that debt levels at United are due to rise to a staggering £733million by 2012, with annual interest payments now at £40million.

Those eye-bulging figures are put into context by the Glazers' stated belief that operating profits will hit £100million by 2011.

While such a sum is based on a 'conservative' on-field assessment of a minimum third-placed Premiership finish, and a place in the last 16 of the Champions League - something United failed to achieve last season - and a European quarter-final every third year, there are hugely optimistic growth forecasts for commercial and TV revenues, something the Red Devils are not totally in control of.

In addition, the reports claim Red Football, the Glazers' investment vehicle, receives £1.6million a year from the club.

Of major interest to Ferguson is a statement that his team should visit 'all corners of the globe' on pre and post-season tours in an effort to maximise their commercial potential.

The Glazers are adamant United remain the number one footballing brand, citing Chelsea's 'lack of brand appeal and limited fan base beyond the UK'.

There is seemingly no mention in the document of the sale-and-lease-back of Old Trafford, which has long been suggested by some fans' groups as one of the methods Glazer might use to raise extra finance.

Neither is there any stated plan to tear up the Premier League's collective TV bargaining agreement.

However, ticket prices apparently remain 'undervalued' despite recent increases and are set to rise by another 36% by the 2012-13 campaign.