I think this is a transient situation: United is so much bigger than Chelsea. Abramobitch can't last forever in the club, he'll soon get bored and everything will return to its place.
Plus, if I were a footy superstar I'd rather choose Manchester United or Liverpool FC instead of Chelsea with no doubt. Money isn't everything, especially when you're Michael Ballack or Andriy Shevchenko. I'm very surprised to see Sheva fall for the money instead of history: he's already darn rich, and has already won everything. In that situation, I'd always choose to pick a club with a lot of history, one that would keep in a high place no matter how many years pass.
There are a handful of "Big" teams in Europe, history-wise, like:
- Real Madrid
- AC Milan
- FC Liverpool
- Manchester United
- Bayern München
- Juventus
- FC Barcelona
- Ajax
- Internazionale
- SL Benfica
There are a couple more, but these are the big names that will keep big forever. They might spend some years in obscurity but will certainly return to the top level soon. That's what makes a big club. The problem is that money has become way too important nowadays, and players prefer to earn big money in a second-rate club like Chelsea rather than have the honour to wear the Manchester United, AFC Ajax or Internazionale badge on their chest.
When I'm 75 I'd want to remember that I once played in Old Trafford and wore the same shirt that Bobby Charlton, George Best, Nobby Stiles, Eric Cantona, Mark Hughes, Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane, David Beckham and Paul Scholes have wore and felt before. The money will be gone. But the memory remains.