The United legend has been linked with a takeover (Pictures: FIVE / YouTube / Getty)
Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he spoke to David Beckham during England’s World Cup draw with USA and says the former midfielder would only bid for Manchester United as part of a consortium.
The Glazer family confirmed last week that they are looking to end their 17-year reign at Old Trafford and have put the club up for sale, with a number of suitors already emerging.
Tech giants Apple are one rumoured prospective bidder while Beckham – who already co-owns MLS side Inter Miami – was also linked with a takeover.
Ferdinand says any bid from Beckham would only be as part of a consortium of far wealthier investors, though he would welcome the former United midfielder returning to the club.
‘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,’ said Ferdinand on his FIVE YouTube show.
‘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.
Beckham already co-owns MLS side Inter Miami (Picture: Getty)
‘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.’
Asked if he would like to see a former United player involved in the club’s prospective new ownership, Ferdinand continued: ‘Yeah. I think when you look at it, the clubs that are successful over big periods of time have players that have worn the shirt, understand the traditions, understand the history, understand the ethos of the football club and continue that.
‘Ajax with Edwin van der Sar, Bayern Munich have [Karl-Heinz] Rummenigge in there among others, Real Madrid, Barca – they all do it.
‘They’ve all got players who have been in and around the football club at some point in their life and they’re back in there working at the club because they understand it. And it’s a key part.
‘And then they have business people around them, to facilitate and run things and control the business element of the football club.
‘And then those people learn on the job, but with a football background. And I think that’s an area that the new owners that potentially come in have to really look at.’
MORE : Apple’s stance on buying Manchester Untied from Glazer family in £5.8billion deal
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The United legend has been linked with a takeover.
