US tech giant Apple has joined the race to buy Manchester United, according to reports.

United confirmed the sensational news that the world's biggest football club is effectively for sale in a statement issued earlier this week.

With United now available, a report from the Daily Star has claimed that the world's largest tech company may be interested in acquiring the club for £5.8billion.

The California-based tech firm has never previously owned a major sports team, but the commercial opportunities provided by United are said to be a primary factor in their interest.

Any potential deal would almost certainly become the most costly acquisition of a football club in history, surpassing the £4.25billion fee a consortium led by Todd Boehly paid for Chelsea earlier this year.

One major issue facing whomever buys United is Old Trafford, the club's iconic stadium. The venue has long needed a revamp to compete with the biggest clubs around the world.

It is understood that rebuilding the stadium will cost approximately £1.5bn, making it the most expensive football ground in the world - ahead of Tottenham's new £1bn stadium.