espntar.com's Ayanjit Sen learns Manchester United have reportedly approached India's Sahara Group for sponsorship.

The head of Sahara's corporate communications, Abhijit Sarkar, told espnstar.com that they have received a proposal from the football team.

"We have got an elaborate proposal from Manchester United but I cannot comment further on this now," said Sarkar.

"This is for sponsoring the team's shirt," he added.

The American International Group (AIG) has a contract for sponsoring Manchester United shirts for $56.5 million in a four-year deal which began in 2006.

Some media reports quoted club officials of the Manchester United saying they are in touch with several sponsors and hope to strike a deal soon.

This is the first time that any English football club has looked to an Indian company for sponsorship.

Sources said the commercial director of Man U, Richard Arnold has sent a proposal letter to the company along with a lot of related material including a club T shirt with the Sahara logo.

The Sahara company pays the Board of Control for Cricket in India nearly $ 83 million US dollars for January 2006 till December 2009.

The deal increased a bit more after more one-day internationals and Twenty20 matches were increased in India's cricket calendar.