United bigger than Becks

MANCHESTER United Plc is bigger than David Beckham.

That's the conclusion of analysts and investors who say the probable departure of soccer's most famous player won't harm Europe's most profitable sports franchise.

"Manchester United doesn't need Beckham to make it a global brand," said Hilary Cook, who helps manage the equivalent of $66.7 billion at Barclays Private Clients in London.

"Beckham is a transitory figure and United has been around for a long time."

With about 45 million fans worldwide about the combined populations of California and New York State and a market value of £383 million, English soccer's champion team is one of the biggest names in sports. Its stock, up 40% this year, is the fifth-best performer on Bloomberg's 36- member Eurokick index.

United coach Alex Ferguson wants to get rid of Beckham and the board conditionally agreed this week to sell the 28-year-old midfielder to Spanish club Barcelona.

Real Madrid, which has already assembled the most expensive team in soccer's history, is planning to trump the bid and will hold a formal meeting with Beckham on June 23, the Daily Mirror newspaper said. The Spanish soccer season ends June 22.

On Tuesday, the day United accepted the offer of Barcelona's presidential candidate Joan Laporta for Beckham, shares in the northwestern English club climbed 4.6% to a 21-month high of 158 pence.

Laporta has taken the lead in the race, according to a poll published in today's Sport newspaper. The vote is scheduled for Sunday.

Selling Beckham, captain on England's national team and United's most marketable asset, will have little effect on the company's ability to boost revenue, analysts said.