Rio Ferdinand has suggested David Beckham is setting up a consortium to buy former club Manchester United from the Glazer family.
United's American owners confirmed on Tuesday they are exploring the possibility of selling some or all of their shareholding after 17 years at the helm.
Supporters of the Premier League club have long called for the Glazers to sell up due to what they perceive to be a lack of direction and on-field success over the past decade.
United are valued by Forbes at $4.6billion (£3.8bn), which would surpass the £4.25bn Todd Boehly paid to purchase Chelsea as the most lucrative takeover in sporting history.
A number of interested parties are reportedly weighing up an offer, with bids from mega-rich backers in Saudi Arabia an option that has been touted.
According to former defender Ferdinand, fellow United great Beckham – who is a co-owner of MLS side Inter Miami – is among those interested in buying out the Glazers.
"Becks will come with a consortium. I saw Becks at the [England v USA] game; we were sat next to each other," Ferdinand said on his Vibe with Five YouTube show.
"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.
"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.
"That's the way he'll be approaching it, and rightly so. I think it's going to come down to a number. If you've got the number and can produce, that's what it's going to be about."
Having a member of United's Class of '92 working in a boardroom position would undoubtedly appease supporters, who have repeatedly protested for the Glazers to step aside.
Beckham spent 11 years with United's senior side after emerging through their youth ranks, winning the Premier League six times and the Champions League in 1999.
Asked if he would like to see Beckham involved in the ownership, Ferdinand said: "Yeah. Clubs that are successful over big periods of time have players that have worn the shirt.
"They 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."
Ten Hag targets further transfers as Man Utd prioritise squad depth
Erik ten Hag wants more transfer activity ahead of his third season in charge of Manchester United, saying the Red Devils must work to replicate their rivals' strength in depth.
Ten Hag signed a new contract after overseeing United's FA Cup final victory over Manchester City in May, having previously been expected to depart.
Ahead of their first full season under the Jim Ratcliffe regime, United have spent an estimated £88million to acquire forward Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna and centre-back Leny Yoro from Lille.
But after United suffered more injuries causing a player to miss at least one match (45) than any other Premier League team last term, Ten Hag believes more is required.
"I want the squad as strong as possible," Ten Hag told reporters at a press conference ahead of Saturday's friendly versus Arsenal.
"We already made two very good buys, so when everyone is fit we have a team that can beat everyone.
"But also in squad depth, we have to catch up. We know that because when we had injuries, we were vulnerable, and we have to avoid this.
"First, by picking up fewer injuries. And second, our squad has to be that good in depth.
"Of course, we have the quality, but in the depth we have to catch up even more, because this will be a season that is survival of the fittest.
"We proved we can beat the best team. Not just once, we did it twice. Our challenge is to do it consistently, that's what we have to work for."
Man Utd boss Ten Hag certain Rashford will return to form
Erik ten Hag has "100% belief" that Marcus Rashford will return to form for Manchester United after the forward endured a disappointing 2023-24 campaign.
Rashford scored seven goals in 33 games last season as United finished eighth in the Premier League, having netted 17 times in 2022-23 when the Red Devils finished third.
The forward was subsequently left out of England's squad for Euro 2024, also being disciplined by his club for missing training to go to a nightclub in Belfast in January.
With former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy returning to Old Trafford in a coaching role, Ten Hag feels his presence can help Rashford get back to his best.
"The reason Ruud is here is clear, he can help the strikers, but he is much more than this. With Rashford, he can only prove himself," Ten Hag said.
"He is capable, he scored so many goals already at a relatively young age, he is capable of it. So I am confident, 100% belief, he can do the same as a few years ago."
Rashford was not the only England international to struggle for United last term, with Mason Mount enduring a disjointed first season at Old Trafford after arriving from Chelsea.
He made just 14 appearances in the Premier League, five of them starts, only scoring one goal and failing to provide an assist.
Ten Hag, however, feels it is unfair to judge him on last campaign and is certain he will fare better in 2024-25.
"You can't judge his season, because he was injured. Don't judge him. But when he is fit he will be a very good player for us and we can use him, he is versatile," Ten Hag said.
"You need certain types in the squad, team players, multifunctional players, he is one of the players who can play in several positions, he will help the team."
United continue their pre-season tour of the United States on Saturday as they face Arsenal, with matches against Real Betis and Liverpool also in the diary before they take on Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 10.
Eriksen in 'no rush' to decide Man Utd future
Christian Eriksen says he is in "no rush" to decide his future despite going into the final year of his contract at Manchester United.
Eriksen joined the Red Devils in 2022, making 28 appearances in the Premier League in his first season, though an injury in January 2023 put a halt to his impressive start to life at Old Trafford.
Following Kobbie Mainoo's breakout season last year, Eriksen dropped down the pecking order at United as he made just 12 starts in his 22 league appearances, scoring just once and assisting two goals.
Some reports suggest Eriksen could be heading out on loan to former club Ajax for the final year of his contract, but he insisted he is satisfied in Manchester.
"I am really happy at United," he said. "I have had two very good years and am going into my third.
"It is a special club and a special place. Also, my family is settled in Manchester, so I am in no rush.
"Obviously, I want to play as much as possible and do everything I can. But that is nothing to do with the club - it is up to you and the manager.
"But in terms of how I feel, I feel very good at United."
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