Overview

• An Abu Dhabi–based consortium has approached Eric Cantona to act as an ambassador for a potential offer, with Wayne Rooney and David Beckham also on their shortlist, according to the Guardian.
• Separate reports say Beckham has been asked to front the proposal and could be offered a chance to invest as the group prepares a formal approach.
• Club-side briefings indicate no deal is imminent, with the Glazers expected to consider only offers above roughly £5bn against a stock-market value closer to £2bn.
• The Glazer family holds about 69% with super-voting rights, while Sir Jim Ratcliffe owns roughly 28% and controls football operations, adding layers to any full takeover.
• A roughly 8% rise in Manchester United’s share price has been attributed by finance experts to takeover speculation, with little expected impact on day-to-day operations.