The Independent says the Glazer family may follow the lead of Mexico's largest football team, Chivas Rayadas del Guadalajara, which already have Chivas USA competing in MLS.

Glazer's team could play at one of the three Major League stadiums dedicated to football in the United States, with three more to come. With more airtime and more games actually being played, the Glazers should be able to sell fans more shirts and other merchandise. The US Soccer Federation think United could ride a wave.

"Some 15 years ago we hadn't competed in a World Cup for 40 years, there was no professional league and hardly any games were on the TV. Now there is a professional league and we are getting 15,000 people a game," a spokesperson said.

Despite the club touring twice in the past two years, the number of United fans in North and South America is fewer than five million. Malcolm Glazer hopes to change that.

Robert Leffler, president of the Leffler Agency, a sports adverting specialist, said: "If you've been exposed to NFL-style marketing and sales of spin-offs, you recognise that great international teams such as Manchester United, Real Madrid or Santos really could do a tremendous amount of international marketing."