Sven tells chairman he must spend like Roman to match rivals United

Yet his manager, Sven Goran Eriksson, was quick to concede that Thaksin will have to spend on a level similar to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich if he is to take City to the top of the Barclays Premier League.

Eriksson said: "Beating United in a single match, of course, is positive but beating them over the course of a season or on an international level, given their fame, will be really difficult.

"That's why United are where they are and why we are where we are. There's a massive way to go but I'm happy that he talks that way and, if he wants, let's give it a go. It's a realistic target if the resources are there.

"Remember Chelsea were a good team but only started to compete with United and Arsenal when Abramovich came in.

"That was a huge scale of investment but Thaksin doesn't say that this season we should be competing with United and the others — he's talking about the future. He wants to put the money there. I'm happy that he's saying it because it means he has these ambitions."

Thaksin was in ebullient mood as he arrived in Bangkok to a hero's welcome before giving himself up to the Thai authorities.

It is the first time the 58-year-old has been back to his home country in 16 months.

He has been bailed on corruption charges but may be completely cleared by the ruling PPP party by the time he is due back in court on March 12.

As Sportsmail revealed this week, Thaksin hopes his return will lead to his exoneration and subsequently allow him access to an £800million fortune that was frozen by the country's previous military-led regime.

How much money will filter through to Eriksson remains to be seen but Thaksin was bullish as he outlined his plans to open club training centres and academies across the world.

He said: "I will build a team that the Thai people will be proud of. Before long there will be Man City China, Man City Japan, Man City U.S.A.

"In the next season Manchester City will be another Manchester United."

United are the second richest club in the world behind Real Madrid, so the Premier League champions will perhaps not be too concerned about the threat from across town even though City have already beaten them twice this season.

While the likes of United and Chelsea offer their top stars in excess of £100,000 a week, City have a wage structure with a top level of around £45,000. To put that in context, United defender Wes Brown has just turned down a similar amount.

Eriksson added: "I'm quite sure the chairman knows how much other clubs are paying for star players. How long this will take, I don't know.

"It depends on many things. How good the players we have are and how much better they can become and it also depends on the level of players we take in the future because they must be the very top — the very top.

"I don't know how many years I will be here but I would like to be here to see Manchester City playing Champions League football and winning trophies because that's the mid-to-long- term target for the club."

Eriksson's commitment is crucial, as is that of Thaksin.

Having bought the club primarily to increase his profile and popularity in Thailand, one theory is that he will sell if City establish themselves as a European club of standing.

Thaksin is not expected to be at the helm for much longer than the next two years. He said: "I am 59 this year, so I just want to enjoy the last stages of my life with my family, in my country. I will die on Thai soil."