Man Utd 'in talks' to buy Indian Super League club as Glazer family show their hand

Manchester United are in talks to buy Indian Super League side East Bengal, according to Indian cricket legend Sourav Ganguly.

East Bengal are currently without investment after their association with Shree Cement Limited came to an end last month. The company handed over sporting rights, leaving the Kolkata club, who play in the country’s top flight, in a perilous position.

Ganguly holds the hugely influential title of president of Board of Control for Cricket in India. The 49-year-old was speaking at a press conference in Kolkata on Tuesday, where he was asked about possible investment in East Bengal, one of the city’s most historic clubs.

Ganguly is helping to oversee the deal and confirmed that Manchester United ’s owners, the Glazer family, are one of those interested in taking over the struggling side, who endured a miserable 2021/22 campaign in the ISL, finishing bottom with just one win from 20 regular season matches.

“Yes we have spoken to them and others also. It will take 10 to 12 more days to know who will be the entity,” he said. Asked whether United are coming as an investor, Ganguly clarified: "No no, as an owner."

Ganguly declined to add any more information on the situation, but Bangladesh-based conglomerate Bashundhara Group has also reportedly been in talks with East Bengal. "It takes some time,” he said. “First, let it reach a stage then we will make a comment. I will speak only after there's a concrete development.”

United previously agreed to play a friendly against East Bengal at Yuvabharati Krirangan Stadium in Salt Lake, Kolkata, back in 2020, only for the Covid-19 pandemic to get in the way.

The Glazers’ interest in East Bengal is not a complete surprise, given their previous dealings in