June 23 (Bloomberg) -- MAN AG asked Goldman Sachs Group Inc. to sound out interest in its plant engineering and industrial services unit MAN Ferrostaal, Financial Times Deutschland reported, citing no one.

Unit head Matthias Mitscherlich told employees at the beginning of April that MAN Ferrostaal had to be strong enough to run its business alone, the newspaper said. According to the report an investor from the Middle East backed by a sovereign wealth fund and a German company listed at the stock market are amongst potential buyers.

MAN spokesman Wieland Schmitz wasn't immediately available for a statement.

To contact the reporter on this story: Andreas Hippin in Frankfurt at ahippin@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: June 23, 2008 00:59 EDT