The Red Knights have hired Japanese brokerage Nomura to advise them in their battle to wrest control of Manchester United from the Glazer family.

In a huge boost for the group of investors, the Nomura team will be led by Guy Dawson and Andrew McNaught.

Both worked on the deal which saw Malcolm Glazer buy the club for £800m in 2005.

The Red Knights have adopted a strategy of convincing Manchester United supporters to pool their funds for a takeover bid of around £1bn.