NEED FOR CAUTION BUT PLENTY OF REASON TO START HOPING

“I ACTUALLY don’t see how we can lose at the moment – but football is a funny game and anything can happen.”

United chairman Danny Maher is more than quietly confident of his side’s A-League hopes. And why not?

The US backers first approached United about a month ago, a move that now has the club convinced its bid is the strongest around.

These things must be handled delicately but there is no denying that United is going about things differently.

The FFA has not yet stated what any expansion licence fee will be, only what the projected broadcast revenue looks like.

“So it’s impossible to build a business model for a financial backer,” Maher admitted.

“We’ve reached a broad agreement on the amount that they would need to commit.”

Much like Clive Palmer’s early promises, finances aren’t expected to be a problem.

Brett Johnson and Jordan Gardner are themselves backed by celebrities and an army of workers. So what is in it for the potential investors?

“They want a global football empire and they need a team in the A-League,” Maher said.

That’s where the caution is needed. Remember Palmer?

“Last time the A-League sold a licence to Clive Palmer and said ‘here is your team’,” Maher said. “Last time the club was completely separate to the wider football community.”

There have also been informal talks between United and NRL’s Titans regarding a possible one-two punch on Stadiums Queensland for a better Cbus Super Stadium deal.

Indeed, the hope is growing. Yet, as they say, football is a funny game.