Nomura To Advise Red Knights

The Red Knights group has seen its bid to gain control of Manchester United receive a shot in the arm with confirmation a leading global investment bank has agreed to advise on a possible acquisition.

Wednesday's night demolition job on AC Milan was played out against a backdrop of supporter unrest as repeated chants against the Glazer family were aired inside Old Trafford.

The Glazers, through chief executive David Gill, have said it is business as usual and that they have no intention of selling despite United being over £700million in debt.

Investment back Nomura will work closely with the Red Knights, the Manchester United Supporters' Trust and other potential investors to "coordinate and formulate the proposal to be put to the Glazer family".

The Nomura team will be led by Guy Dawson and Andrew McNaught, both of whom advised the Board of Manchester United plc when the club was sold to the Glazer family in 2005.

Nomura is beginning its role by contacting the many expressions of financial support the Red Knights have received to date.

A spokesman for the Red Knights has told Sky Sports News there are now "up to 70 expressions of interest" from wealthy investors.

The Red Knights group could not have been handed a more favourable piece of publicity on the night, as returning old boy David Beckham donned a green and gold scarf to a rapturous reception.

Protesters against the Glazers have adopted the green and gold colours and they have been highly visible at United matches in recent weeks.

"I'm a Man United fan. I saw the scarf there. I put it round my neck, it's the old colours of Man United, that's all I knew," Beckham said.

"To be honest it's (the protest) not my business. I'm a Manchester United fan. I support the club. I always have done and I always will do.

"It's nothing to do with me the way everything is run, that's to do with other people but I'm a Man United fan and I support the team. I will always support them."