Manchester United believe they can snatch potential buyers from Liverpool

Man United believe they can snatch potential buyers from Liverpool as the Glazers hope to net £8BILLION from any sale… with the Red Devils confident their global reach makes them a more appealing prospect than their rivals

  • The Glazer family announced on Tuesday they are looking to sell Man United 
  • This comes weeks after Liverpool’s owners said they are also open to selling
  • United think they can snatch any potential buyers from Liverpool
  • They think their global reach gives them the edge over their rivals 

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 thanks to 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 owners the Glazer family announced that they were putting their asset on the market.

Insiders say the timing of that move was no coincidence.

The Glazer family announced plans to try to sell Man United on Tuesday evening

This comes just weeks after Liverpool owners FSG said they were open to selling the Reds

This comes just weeks after Liverpool owners FSG said they were open to selling the Reds

United have instructed the Raine Group – a US bank who found a buyer for Chelsea earlier this year, while Liverpool’s process is being assisted by fellow Americans Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.

News of United being made available is unlikely to have been greeted favourably by those involved with the Anfield club’s potential sale.

It is thought United are expecting north of £5bn, with £6n to £8bn desired.

Liverpool were valued at £3.89bn by Forbes in May. Chelsea’s subsequent sale to a consortium for £2.5bn – with a guarantee of a further £1.75bn investment in the club – has not gone unnoticed.

Those involved are counting on interest in United being high. The club claim to have 1.1bn global followers and while that figure has been disputed, it is widely recognised within the industry that they have failed to effectively tap into their vast legions of supporters.

United are expecting to get as much as much as £8billion for the sale of the club

United are expecting to get as much as much as £8billion for the sale of the club

Those with digital expertise, such as Facebook and Amazon, are seen as credible suitors. However, sovereign states are also likely to be interested. Dubai is yet to follow Abu Dhabi (Manchester City), Qatar (Paris Saint-Germain) and Saudi Arabia (Newcastle United) and is viewed as a serious contender. Ownership of PSG is unlikely to be an obstacle for Qatar, currently hosting the World Cup, according to sources in Doha.

One issue those interested in United will have to consider is the vast cost of redeveloping Old Trafford, which in itself could come in at more than £2bn.

Architects to examine ways forward were appointed in April.