United confident they can snatch buyers from Liverpool

MANCHESTER UNITED are confident they can snatch potential buyers from rivals Liverpool in what is expected to become a war for the highest bidder. Sportsmail understands that those closely involved with the process feel United represent a much more appealing prospect than their old foes because they have a superior global reach. And by acting now, hot on the heels of Liverpool, they believe the biggest financial names in the market will steer their interest towards Old Trafford rather than Anfield. Earlier this month, Liverpool’s owners instructed bankers to investigate how much the club would be likely to attract as they seek fresh investment. On Tuesday, however, United’s owners the Glazer family announced that they were also putting their club on the market. Insiders say the timing of that move was not a coincidence. The Red Devils have brought in the support of the Raine Group — a US bank who found a buyer for Chelsea earlier this year — while Liverpool’s process is being assisted by Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. News of United being made available is unlikely to have been greeted favourably by those involved with Liverpool’s potential sale. Liverpool were valued at £3.89billion by Forbes in May, and it is thought United are expecting more than £5bn, and are hoping for £6-8bn. Chelsea’s sale to a consortium for £2.5bn — with a guarantee of a further £1.75bn investment in the club — has also not gone unnoticed. United claim to have 1.1bn global followers and although that figure has been disputed, it is widely recognised within the game that they have failed to effectively tap into their vast legions of international supporters. Companies with digital expertise, such as Facebook and Amazon, are seen as credible suitors. However, sovereign states are also likely to be interested. For example, Dubai is yet to follow Abu Dhabi (Manchester City), Qatar (Paris SaintGermain) and Saudi Arabia (Newcastle United) into the football club ownership market and are considered a serious contender. Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Britain’s richest man and a lifelong United fan, is also expected to make a bid. India’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, has been linked with Liverpool but could be in the running now for United.