As the world’s richest football club, Manchester United has attracted plenty of admiring glances from rivals keen to emulate its financial success.

A rare ability to turn on-pitch glory into profit has also seen it attract the attentions of potential suitors. British Sky Broadcasting’s £625m bid in 1999 was blocked by the government on competition grounds while Roman Abramovich is believed to have cast his eye over United before settling on Chelsea two years ago.