Erik ten Hag believes Manchester United’s pre-season tour of the United States this month is the perfect time for face-to-face talks with the club’s Glazer family owners
Video Loading
Video Unavailable
Man Utd fans welcome arrival of Onana from Inter
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag insists that the club’s tour of the United States is the ideal opportunity to speak with the Glazers – amid ongoing uncertainty over the club’s takeover process.
Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim is bidding for the club alongside Britain’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who had previously been tipped as favourite with his strategy of buying United. Sheikh Jassim’s bid then appeared to be in pole position to buy the club from the Glazer family, but no decision has been reached.
In a hugely protracted process that is close to entering its ninth month, the Glazer family are finally on the same page regarding the club’s sale. There had been concerns that the family were at odds with each other over the process of selling the club as all six siblings still profit from their shares.
Ratcliffe had previously been tipped as favourite with his strategy of buying United. The INEOS chief’s offer would see him take a controlling interest in the club and allow current owners Joel and Avram Glazer to temporarily retain a 20 per cent stake in United.
The Glazers are hugely unpopular with the United fanbase after their leveraged buyout saw them effectively transfer their business debt onto a previously debt-free club. Coupled with their business strategy, United have been left behind on and off the pitch under their stewardship.
At least two of the six Glazer siblings – Joel and Avram – are understood to have preferred an option which would see an outside investor buy a stake in the club to help finance huge capital projects like the redevelopment of the Old Trafford stadium and Carrington training ground. However, a change of ownership is now the likely outcome.
Avram and Joel Glazer have put Manchester United up for sale (
Image:
Getty Images)
**Have Your Say! What is the best takeover outcome for Man Utd _?Tell us what you think here. _ **
United boss Ten Hag has said how he has spoken with the Glazers but opportunities to hold formal discussions with them are difficult due to their base in the US. That is where all six siblings are based and their visits to the UK are infrequent.
Bryan, Edward and Avram were all in attendance for the FA Cup final while Avram, who appears to have the most interest in United, was also present in the EFL Cup triumph over Newcastle. Joel Glazer, the co-chairman, has not been to a match in over four years.
“That’s also a club decision,” Ten Hag said at a press conference when asked about the ongoing takeover process. “I’m more often in contact with them (the Glazers) so this is a good opportunity to share ideas and we can talk informally.
“It is obvious I can give advice and recommendations, but the decision is on the club.”
Avram Glazer (centre) spoke to Ten Hag after the FA Cup final (
Image:
Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Ten Hag was then asked about transfers and how this might be complicated by the club’s current off-field uncertainty: “You make the question to the wrong person. Finance is not for me, I am aware about FFP (Financial Fair Play) rules etc. But across United, we do everything to get that target in.”
Several US investment companies – Elliott Management, the Carlyle Group and Ares Management – had been proposing minority investment into the club, which would see the Glazers remain in position at the head of United but with extra spending power available. Yet that is now viewed as unlikely.
