First Indian director at Manchester United

Manchester: Manu Sawhney will be one of the three non-executive board members at Manchester United and is set to be the first Indian director at the club`s management.

"It`s a great honour and wonderful opportunity to be part of Manchester United, a club with such a rich history," Sawhney confirmed to The Times of India from Singapore. The 45-year-old will be joining the club next month after a 16-year stint with leading sports broadcasters ESPN Star Sports (ESS) where he worked managing director from October 2007. On the financial front, Sawhney feels that Manchester United`s global image has taken a leap since the company was listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). "The club`s popularity has taken a big leap after it got listed on NYSE. As Asia has one of the biggest fan base (approx 325 million) and is an emerging market," he claimed. "My job will be to assist in helping the club reach more and more territories across the continent." However, the degree holder in Mechanical Engineering from Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani refused to reveal any further details about his role. "My contractual limitations don`t let me disclose anything beyond this that as a director I will be part of everything that will help the club transform into football`s biggest brand," he said. Sawhney also hinted that India could see more Manchester United Soccer Schools (MUSS) in the year to come after the first of its kind was seen in Mumbai earlier this year. "If the club has to utilise its rich fan base, it will have to open more soccer schools across Asia," he said. Goal.com