BILL KENWRIGHT claims Manchester City were “lucky” to be taken over by the Abu Dhabi group – and believes Everton could have instead been the beneficiaries had a new stadium been in place.

City have developed into Premier League title contenders, won the FA Cup and made their Champions League debut since being backed by the wealth of Sheikh Mansour, who became owner in 2008.

Over the last few years a string of expensive signings have arrived to play at City’s recently-renamed Etihad Stadium, their home since 2003 when it was handed to them after being used to host the Commonwealth Games a year earlier.

By contrast, Everton have been forced to operate on a limited budget with little immediate prospect of either a new ground or redeveloping Goodison following the collapse in the past decade of proposed stadia at Kings Dock and in Kirkby.

The home game against Aston Villa last month was preceded by a peaceful protest involving several hundred supporters frustrated at the lack of progress in finding a buyer.

Kenwright has often stated his desire to bring in new investors, and has suggested Mansour’s money may have headed Everton’s way if they had had an approved stadium project.