Sky Sports News understands two billionaires from South Asia were prepared to make a ₤1billion offer for Manchester United, but were told the Glazer family was unwilling to sell.
It is understood the deal was brokered by super-agent Pini Zahavi in October last year.
Zahavi represents Manchester United
defender Rio Ferdinand and has close links with the club.
But the billionaires, who have not been named but are 'huge Manchester United supporters', were told the Glazers 'were not willing to hear offers'.
It is believed the potential investors provided proof of funds in a Swiss bank account.
The investors have no involvement with the 'Red Knights' consortium who revealed their own takeover plans last week.
Zahavi was involved in Roman Abramovich's surprise takeover at Chelsea in 2003.
08/03/2010 09:06, Report by Ben Hibbs
PAGE: 12 Reds on Milan mission
Edwin van der Sar is hoping to be part of a first United triumph over AC Milan in European competition on Wednesday night.
The Italians have been a bogey team for the Reds in the European Cup. In four previous two-legged ties, the Rossoneri have always come out on top.
Edwin was in goal for one of those defeats, back in 2007, when after a 3-2 first leg win at Old Trafford the Reds lost 3-0 at the San Siro to exit the competition at the semi-final stage.
"It's not a case of owing Milan one, but we will want to make sure we don't make the same mistakes we did a few years ago when they knocked us out at the semi-final stage," Edwin told ManUtd.com.
"They played particularly well in the home leg here when we won 3-2 and Kaka scored two goals. Then at the San Siro, Clarence Seedorf was fantastic – he was excellent in both games actually. But we got a good result in Milan and now we need to finish it off with a magic night at Old Trafford.
"We're always confident," he added. "And I haven't played a lot in the Champions League yet this season, so I've been really looking forward to these games."
Van der Sar does have experience of defeating Milan, and right at the cutting edge of the competition – he won the Champions League outright with his first club Ajax back in 1995, when Patrick Kluivert struck the only goal against the Italians in the final in Vienna.
Edwin remembers what a great night that was (just about) and will draw on that experience on Wednesday. "[Puffing out his cheeks] It was so long ago!" he joked. "I was
Sir Alex Ferguson says Wayne Rooney is a major doubt for Wednesday's Champions League clash with AC Milan after the striker was forced to sit out United's win at Wolves.
The Reds' top scorer has been nursing a knee injury for the last week or so despite featuring for both club and country during that time. Rooney started last Sunday's Carling Cup final on the bench as a precaution after feeling his knee in the lead-up to the game.
But a hamstring injury to Michael Owen prompted Rooney into action at Wembley and the England international was back on the same heavy pitch just three days later on duty for his country much to his manager's surprise.
Sir Alex had expected Rooney to sit out England's friendly against Egypt following his knee complaint, but the 24-year-old ended up playing nearly the whole game and now looks to have paid the price for his exertions.
"Rooney is very doubtful for the Milan game unfortunately," Sir Alex told MUTV. "It's one of these bad bits of luck you get – the Wembley pitch has just killed him.
"I was pleased with how [Dimitar] Berbatov did against Wolves though and I'll probably start with him on Wednesday."
Wes Brown's suspected broken metatarsal has added to Manchester United's injury woes ahead of AC Milan's visit on Wednesday night. Brown: Adds to Ferguson's headache
Brown picked up the injury against Wolves on Saturday and there are concerns that the England defender may have broken his fifth metatarsal, the one that takes the longest to heal.
Although Brown should have recovered in time for the World Cup, the timing is bad for Sir Alex Ferguson with Wayne Rooney doubtful for the Champions League game after hurting his knee on England duty last week and Michael Owen out for the season.
Anderson (knee), Ryan Giggs (arm) and John O'Shea (leg) are also out while Jonny Evans missed the Wolves game.
Ferguson has already confirmed Dimitar Berbatov is likely to start against Milan, saying: "Rooney is very doubtful for the Milan game unfortunately. It's one of these bad bits of luck you get - the Wembley pitch has just killed him.
"I was pleased with how Berbatov did against Wolves though and I'll probably start with him on Wednesday."
United have yet to overcome Milan in the Champions League with the Italians always emerging as victors from the two-legged ties, most recently in 2007 when having lost 3-2 in the first leg at Old Trafford, they won 3-0 in the San Siro.
United again have a 3-2 advantage but this time with the away goals counting in their favour, and keeper Edwin van der Sar has warned that they cannot afford to make any mistakes this time.
He told the club's website: "It's not a case of owing Milan one, but we will want to make sure we don't make the same mistakes we did a few years ago when they knocked us out at the semi-final stage.
"They played particularly well in the home leg here when we won 3-2 and Kaka scored two goals. Then at the San Siro, Clarence Seedorf was fantastic - he was excellent in both games actually. But we got a good result in Milan and now we need to finish it off with a magic night at Old Trafford."
Ngoja Tuone leo kama ndo safari ya ze gooners inaishia Imarates au?! Mana Man Utd majeruhi hizi zinanipa mashaka kweli especially kule mbele..nadhani babu itabidi ajaze watu katikati kuitafuta draw au mashambulizi kwenye first half then likikosekana goli defensive game to apply
Wayne Rooney has handed Manchester United a massive boost ahead of their clash with AC Milan on Wednesday night.
The talismanic striker is back in training ahead of the last-16 UEFA Champions League showdown, which United lead 3-2 after the first leg in Italy. Rooney
missed Saturday's 1-0 Premier League win at Wolves after aggravating a knee injury on England duty last week, with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson
subsequently suggesting Rooney was "a big doubt" for the Milan meeting.
But the striker's presence at the Carrington training ground on Tuesday morning suggests United's top scorer will be involved at Old Trafford as Ferguson's side attempt to reach the last eight of this season's competition at the expense of old boy David Beckham
and his team-mates.
Although the Red Devils have never been knocked out of a two-legged European tie after winning the away leg first, fans will be cheered as their chances of victory will be significantly enhanced if the 28-goal 24-year-old is around to help. Giggs out
Veteran Ryan Giggs also trained on Tuesday morning, after having a plate removed from the arm he broke at Aston Villa
recently.
But the Welshman was limited to a solo session and Ferguson has already declared the winger will not come into contention.
United do have options, though, with Dimitar Berbatov
impressing at Molineux on Saturday, while Paul Scholes
scored his 100th Premier League goal.
Michael Carrick is suspended following his late dismissal in the San Siro, so Darren Fletcher
is expected to return after not featuring on Saturday
Ngoja Tuone leo kama ndo safari ya ze gooners inaishia Imarates au?! Mana Man Utd majeruhi hizi zinanipa mashaka kweli especially kule mbele..nadhani babu itabidi ajaze watu katikati kuitafuta draw au mashambulizi kwenye first half then likikosekana goli defensive game to apply
Jambo la kheri kabisa na amini kule pembeni Valencia anajua kumlisha kijana mpaka raha siku hizi anatumia NDONGA kuweka vitu kimiani!! Ngoja nikachukue Jack Daniels kwa mama Mohans kwa Game ya kesho!!
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