Goldman Sachs is struggling to keep Hewlett Packard's $21bn (€23.3bn) takeover of computer rival Compaq on track, as the management clashes with the wishes of key family shareholders.

Sources close to the Californian computer and printer manufacturer said Goldman has embarked on a round of investor wooing on behalf of Carly Fiorina, Hewlett's chief executive. Goldman's move comes in the wake of the Hewlett family's decision not to tender their 5% shareholding to the merger.