Glazers eye Man Utd IPO in Asia

Manchester United's US owners are considering listing the club on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to tap into Asian enthusiasm for Britain's richest football club, it emerged yesterday.

The Glazer family are said to see returning the club to the stock market as the only option for a sale. They took United private after their £790m takeover in 2005 but have been told a valuation of £1.7bn is realistic if they float in Hong Kong.

Bankers have apparently told the Glazers the club would get a higher valuation in Asia than in London. Discussions about a Hong Kong listing were said to be at an early stage.