Manchester United want to buy and relocate A-League side Central Coast Mariners

Football giant Manchester United is currently in discussions to buy A-League leaders Central Coast Mariners – and relocate the club away from its Gosford base.

According to a report in SMH, the Red Devils are deep in talks with the Mariners UK-based owner Mike Charlesworth about purchasing the club and moving it to the Sydney area.

While a deal to sell the Mariners to the Old Trafford-based club is still a long way from being finalised, it is understood Manchester United are looking at uprooting the club from its Central Coast base and reestablishing closer to the eastern seaboard’s biggest city – possibly at North Sydney or Brookvale.

The 20-time Premier League champions are looking to build a network of sister clubs around the world – particularly in the fast-growing Asian market – as they attempt to follow in the footsteps of neighbours Manchester City, who own A-League side Melbourne City among a portfolio of clubs that includes Yokohoma F. Marinos, New York City and Girona.

Any deal for Manchester United to buy the Mariners would have to be approved by Football Australia and the current crop of A-League clubs, but it’s understood there won’t be much opposition on that front with the belief that the Red Devils’ involvement would help with the league’s reach and promotion.

After winning two championships in their first seven A-League seasons, Central Coast have struggled in recent years – finishing lower than eighth in the last six domestic campaigns.

However, the club is currently going through a resurgence under former Matildas coach Alen Stajcic, and sit top of the A-League table after 16 games played – two points ahead of Melbourne City, who have a game in hand.

Manchester United look to be on the improve under coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with a second place in the Premier League looking likely as they sit 11 points behind leaders Manchester City despite having seven matches to play and a game in hand.

The Red Devils are also favourite to win the Europa League and have one foot in the competition’s semi-finals after a 2-0 win away against La Liga side Granada in the first leg of their quarter-final.