Burman United

[Boater]

BURMA'S dictator wanted to buy Man United to boost his popularity, it emerged yesterday.

Than Shwe considered a £634million bid for the club in the wake of his country's worst natural disaster.

The stunning revelation came via WikiLeaks as a European arrest warrant for founder Julian Assange, 39, was handed to Scotland Yard.

A major review of Britain's security was also ordered in the wake of the site's leaks.

According to American intelligence, Red Devils fan General Shwe, 77 - ranked fourth in a list of the World's Worst Dictators - was urged to bid by his grandson in 2009. His regime thought that buying one of the world's biggest football clubs would distract the poor population from the problems following cyclone Nargis in 2008.

But he pulled out at the last minute because he thought it might "look bad" after the disaster in which 140,000 died. Instead, he ordered the creation of a costly national football league.

Meanwhile, the Government yesterday condemned WikiLeaks for publishing a secret list of global facilities the US considers vital to national security.

It included locations in the UK, such as satellite sites, an Aussie anti-snake venom factory and insulin plant in Denmark.

Last night Assange's lawyer said they were making arrangements to meet British cops in the "foreseeable future" after an extradition request from Sweden.

Assange is wanted there in connection with alleged sex crimes.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3263543/Burmese-dictator-wanted-to-buy-Manchester-United.html