A century ago Manchester was best known as the capital of the world’s cotton textile trade. Today, it is best known as the home of Manchester United, one of the world’s most successful football clubs.

Manchester may lag well cities such as New York, Madrid and Munich in terms of its economic and business performance. But when it comes to sport it is hard to underestimate the importance of its football teams, which include the Abu Dhabi-owned Manchester City, in promoting the city’s name globally.