Ryan Giggs has admitted English football may have to start talking about the big five rather than its traditional big four.
Manchester City gatecrashed the elite quartet in spectacular style on Monday, spending a British-record £32.5million on Robinho.
In one move, they gazumped Chelsea, who believed they were in line to sign the Brazilian star from Real Madrid, and put the rest of Europe on alert that there was a new player in the market.
With the vast wealth of the Abu Dhabi-based United Group for Development and Investment behind them, City could now outbid anyone for any player they wish, and Giggs feels it will be very interesting to see how the situation unfolds.
"You just have to appreciate the money they have got," Giggs told Key103.
"Signing Robinho is a big statement to football as a whole because he is a world-class player.
"With the amount of money they have got to spend, the next few years will be interesting and we will just have to wait and see what happens."
Although many clubs, such as Newcastle and Tottenham in recent times, and Leeds beforehand, have spent big without achieving the type of success supporters envisaged, Chelsea are the obvious example of immense wealth bringing trophies.
Yet even Roman Abramovich suffered a false start at Stamford Bridge, firing Claudio Ranieri for not winning major trophies quickly enough, and Giggs does not believe the new-look City will be an overnight success either.
"You can't just buy a team - you need stability and a base to work from," he said.
"But obviously major money can be a big influence because it means you can bring quality to your team."
Robinho has already been heavily criticised for his decision to join City, legendary Brazilian Pele claiming the striker must need counselling to take part in such an amazing transfer.
United new-boy Dimitar Berbatov refused to even entertain the thought of switching to the blue half of the city and, as a one-club man, Giggs is happy to endorse the view not every player is motivated by money.
"There is money in the game but not every player goes for money," Giggs explained.
"Players sometimes join a team they love or stay out of loyalty. It is a gamble sometimes. You have to notice the potential of the team.
"He might have thought the amount of money the owners are talking about means they have massive potential. We will have to wait and see if that is true."
One thing is certain, Giggs' old Wales and United team-mate Mark Hughes is going to come under intense scrutiny.
Not that the 34-year-old is worried the City boss will find the strain difficult to cope with.
"It will be a tough job because with the money comes pressure," Giggs added.
"But, having worked with Mark Hughes as my manager and had him as a team-mate, I know what he is all about. It won't faze him. He is a very good manager."
