Will Man Utd become football's latest state-backed project?

CHANGING HANDS: Fans let off flares as they protest against the Glazer family, the owners of Manchester United.

Prospective new owners of Manchester United have until Friday to reveal their interest in buying one of the world's biggest clubs, with a rumoured bid from Qatar sending shockwaves through European football.

United's current American owners, the Glazer family, opened the door to fresh investment in the English giants in November, either in the form of a minority stake or a full takeover.