Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff admits he's spoken to Sir Jim Ratcliffe about joining his bid to buy a shareholding in Manchester United.
Ratcliffe's offer for 25 per cent of United is expected to be accepted before Christmas.
His company, Ineos, also owns a third of Mercedes F1, with Wolff and Mercedes owning equal shares.
"Jim has shared the trajectory with me. I very much respect his values and we trust each other," Wolff told the Press Association.
However, he added in an interview with Sky Sports at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix that any investment was "very far away".
The 51-year-old Austrian added: "I have never aimed for trophy investments but I like the competitiveness of the Premier League.
"Jim and Manchester United is a love story because he is born there. Our personal relationship is strong and with Ola Kallenius (Mercedes-Benz chief executive), they call us the Three Amigos because we live in the no-nonsense world.
"If we felt I could contribute then I would consider joining him at Manchester United."
