A-League: Ladder leaders Central Coast Mariners distance themselves from Manchester United takeover talk

English giants Manchester City already have a stake in the A-League and now their cross-town rivals could be joining them in having an Australian presence.

The Central Coast Mariners could be purchased by Manchester United. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

The Central Coast Mariners have distanced themselves from reports that a Manchester United takeover could see the A League outfit moved to Sydney if the sale is approved by Football Australia.

Reports surfaced on Tuesday of a push from United, owned by the Glazer family, to purchase the Mariners, with talks believed to be under way in London with Central Coast owner Mike Charlesworth.

Charlesworth has been looking to sell the club for more than a year, and until this season the club had been struggling both on and off the field.

This season, however, the Mariners are top of the A-League table after 16 matches but still carry a large financial burden that United could take on.

It would be a deal similar to Manchester City purchasing 80 per cent of Melbourne Heart in 2014 for more than $11 million when the name and colours were changed to replicate that of the other clubs in the City Football Group.

However, Central Coast CEO Shaun Mielekamp insists the club isn’t set to join forces with English Premier League giants Manchester United but club officials have spoken to a host of interested franchises about potentially buying the Mariners.

“The chairman has held discussions with a number of clubs and interested parties across a number of years regarding the sale of the club,” Mielekamp said.

“Speculation is nothing more than speculation and it is important like in the pre-season none of this distracts anyone at the club – it is just noise.

“Reports like this simply serve as a means of distraction from what is a positive season on the field, and the club will make no further comment on the matter.

“As a club, we hope to see a big crowd at our next home game against Sydney FC as we look to push on with our great season.”

#mufc are in talks to purchase the licence of Central Coast Mariners and relocate the club to Sydney. United have held lengthy talks with owner Mike Charlesworth and want to turn the club into a sister club of Manchester United #mulive [@smh]

— utdreport (@utdreport) April 12, 2021

According to reports in Australia, Manchester United are in talks to buy A-League club Central Coast Mariners, and want to relocate them to Sydney.

Don't really have an issue with them buying the club but don't uproot them FFS. pic.twitter.com/gcx8TntrR5

— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) April 12, 2021

A successful purchase would reportedly include moving the club from the Central Coast to Sydney’s northern suburbs, with matches to be played at either North Sydney or Brookvale Oval.

The sale would be subject to the approval of Football Australia, who are said to be supportive of the idea.

The Mariners also have a longstanding connection with United. The Red Devils’ assistant coach, Mike Phelan, was appointed sporting director of Central Coast in 2018.

Manchester United’s revenue was $90m last year, and the club was listed as the 10th most valuable sporting team in the world by Forbes in 2020, said to be worth more than $5bn.

Originally published as A-League: Ladder leaders Central Coast Mariners distance themselves from Manchester United takeover talk