LONDON — When Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003, David Dein, the former Arsenal vice chairman, remarked that the new Stamford Bridge owner had "parked his Russian tanks on the lawn and is firing £50 notes at us."

It was difficult to visualize any club having bigger financial resources than Chelsea, and Abramovich has poured more than £400 million into winning the Premier League.

Step forward Sheikh Mansour and the Abu Dhabi United Group which has so far spent £300 million in the two years it has been in control of Manchester City. The oil-rich owners will continue to spend, spend, spend until City wins the title.