David Beckham and his former Class of ‘92 teammates front bid for takeover of Manchester United

DAVID Beckham and his ‘Class of ’92’ teammates are reportedly fronting a multi-billion takeover bid for Manchester United.

DAVID Beckham and his ‘Class of ’92’ teammates are reportedly fronting a multi-billion takeover bid for Manchester United.

The Sun reported that the Qatari royal family or other Arab billionaires would bankroll the deal with club legends Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, brothers Gary and Phil Neville and Nicky Butt acting as frontmen.

The Red Devils are currently owned by the Glazer family, who have a 90 per cent stake in United and also own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL team. The other 10 per cent stake of the club was released to the stock market in 2012.

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At its current stock price, the team is valued at about $2.8 billion. But United’s fortunes have not fared so well on the field, with a 3-0 loss on Tuesday to Manchester City the latest blow in a disappointing season.

Backers are said to include David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes..

The Sun said Beckham’s connections with the Qatari royal family could be integral to the negotiations. The former England captain spent five months at Qatari-owned Paris Saint-Germain before retiring at the end of last season.

Sources in the London finance industry say Middle East bidders have made previous bids for Manchester United.

“The Glazers have lost interest. Everyone knows the club is effectively for sale,” a source told The Sun.

“It’s just a question of getting the right price where they recoup their money and make a bit to save face.”

Finance expert David Bick said: “I don’t believe the Glazers are in it for the long haul — they are in it for the money.

“The business itself is not worth £2 billion, that would be a trophy bid. It would be from someone who wants to own United for prestige, not profit.”

Gary Neville (L) and Welsh midfielder Ryan Giggs celebrate after they helped Manchester United clinch the EPL title in 2009.

Meanwhile, Scholes, Giggs, Butt and the Neville brothers have sealed their bid to buy non-league club Salford City.

The deal is subject to approval from the English Football Association and Northern Premier League, and is expected to be completed this summer.

The players have strong connections in the area.

Gary Neville said, “I had my first trial for Manchester United in Salford at age 11 and I will never forget how important that was to me. Salford City FC to me represents those early years, the commitment, hunger, enthusiasm, desire and spirit of football.”

Giggs is still playing for United while Phil Neville is on David Moyes’ coaching staff.