Manchester United are the subject of £1.2 BILLION takeover talks.

The Sunday Express says that while Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson took advantage of the warmth of Doha last week to fine tune his players, there was feverish work going on behind the scenes.

Aware that Qatar, with their bid for the 2022 World Cup in mind, has gone football crazy, feelers were put out by United's owners the Glazers about attracting Middle East investment - or finding a potential buyer.

United's short stay in Qatar provided the Old Trafford money men with the perfect opportunity to attract fiscal interest in the club.

Oil and gas reserves have transformed the country into one of the richest in the world.

It is seeking a higher profile identity and sees sport as the vehicle to help meet that ambition.