“And I tell you it is a very, very difficult financial world right now and unless there is someone out there with a much better crystal ball than myself that isn't going to be solved at the flick of a switch.

“I know there are loads of issues about how the revenue is split, but a shared stadium would make the prospect of investment in either club much clearer.

“I was brought up in Manchester and the notion of ground sharing in Manchester is out of the question. The mutual antipathy of the fans rules that out.

“But my impression from going to Liverpool – and I’ve been to both grounds many times – my impression is that the fans there may have a bit of banter, but there isn’t that in-built hatred.”