David Beckham 'makes Manchester United takeover…

David Beckham 'makes Manchester United takeover decision' that could have knock-on effect for Liverpool

Rio Ferdinand has revealed that David Beckham 'will come with a consortium' in an effort to complete a takeover at Manchester United.

On the day, last Tuesday, that the Old Trafford club cancelled Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract, the Glazer family released a statement saying that they were trying to find new investment, either to acquire a share of the club, or buy it outright, which would end their 17-year ownership of United.

It was also confirmed, on the same day, that United have appointed the Raine Group, an American bank that found a buyer for Chelsea this year, to be the club’s advisers and another bank, Rothschild and Co, who will advise the Glazer family.

The move came just over a week after Fenway Sports Group, the American owner of Liverpool, announced it was inviting investment. The American group, led by principal owner John W. Henry, has also recruited major banks Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to assess market conditions.

Sam Kennedy, of FSG, revealed days before the Glazer's statement that Liverpool’s owners have received numerous expressions of interest from parties seeking to invest in the club.

He said: “There has been a lot of interest from numerous potential partners considering investment into the club. It is early days in terms of exploring possibilities for possible investment into Liverpool. Great companies grow by adding value to their business.

“One way to increase that value from time to time is to sell assets or add investors. Does that mean FSG is going to sell Liverpool? I do not know.

“It’s John Henry’s, Tom Werner’s and Mike Gordon’s job to responsibly run Fenway Sports Group and they felt this was an ideal time to explore possible opportunities for investment into the club.”

And just last week, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Saudi Arabia’s sports minister, said his government would definitely support any private sector bids from the country for Liverpool or United.

“From the private sector, I can’t speak on their behalf, but there is a lot of interest and appetite and passion about football,” he told BBC Sport.

“It’s the most-watched league in Saudi and the region and you have a lot of fans of the Premier League. We will definitely support it if any [Saudi] private sector comes in, because we know that’s going to reflect positively on sports within the kingdom. If there’s an investor willing to do so and the numbers add up, why not?”

But according to Ferdinand, United could soon be owned by a consortium - which would include Beckham. The 47-year-old is already a part-owner of MLS outfit Inter Miami.

“Becks will come with a consortium. I saw Becks last night at the game, I went to the England game and we were sat next to each other,” Ferdinand told his Vibe with Five podcas t.

“He smelt beautiful, looked beautiful. He looked a million dollars, as he normally does. He didn’t look 10 billon dollars’ worth [the amount it might take to buy United].

“But when you mention someone like Becks’ name, he’s obviously a part-owner of Inter Miami, but he doesn’t come [alone]. It’s not his money. It’s not him in terms of putting his hand in his pocket.

“He comes with a consortium. He comes with people who do have deep pockets who have the ability to go and execute on a deal like that.

“So that’s the way he’ll be approaching it, and rightly so. I just think it’s going to come down to a number. If you’ve got the number, and you can produce, that’s what it’s going to be about.”

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