is it possible that say, as manchester united, I could become a parent club to say burnley, at their request?

or does it only work one way?

I've no experience of this myself, but seeing as how AI teams set up parent/feeder club relations between themselves, then I don't see why it couldn't happen.

id always assumed there were plenty of clubs out there looking for parent clubs, and it was simply a matter of choosing from a list, much as you do when signing staff from the job centre... obviously its down to the board to sift through all the ones available and come back with ones they think are suitable, but that would be my take on it. i must say, ive never been approached to be a parent club, new links are only formed when i ask for one...