Man Utd takeover: Glazers ‘to take club off market’ and end sale process despite fan fury
The Glazers put Manchester United up for sale last year, but the process has dragged on despite a battle between Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani for control of the club
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The Glazers are set to take Manchester United off the market, signaling an end to the club’s takeover process.
The Americans opened up bidding for investment or even a full buy-out of the Red Devils last year, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani quickly emerging as the frontrunners to take over from the much-hated Glazers.
Neither of the duo’s offers got close to the Glazers’ £6billion valuation of the Premier League giants. Talks have dragged on for months, with several rounds of deadlines for improved offers as Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim battled for control.
Now those talks appear to be dead in the water, with the Daily Mail reporting the Glazers will take United off the market. The reason behind that move is said to be the failure of any bidder to get close to their anticipated asking price.
The Glazers had hoped multiple serious bidders would be tempted into making offers, though that did not happen. It is said that the Glazers will now look to put United back on the market in 2025.
It is hoped that ‘financial and environmental factors’ may attract more bids at that time. The Glazers hope they will be able to sell the Red Devils for an even higher price thanks to an uplift in TV revenue, the expansion of the Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup.
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The Glazers are set to take Manchester United off the market (
Image:
AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS)
That World Cup is likely to heighten the interest of American billionaires in football, given the tournament will be held in North America. As a result, the Glazers are said to believe they will be able to set an asking price of between £7bn and £10bn.
While supporters have grown increasingly frustrated and held a sit-in protest last week, the Glazers will ignore them. Instead they have backed manager Erik ten Hag and hope he can deliver trophies that will boost the club’s valuation.
Back in July, United and England legend David Beckham became the highest profile person linked to the club to call for the Glazers to go. He insisted they had lost the support of the fans and that it is time for new ownership.
“Once you lose the fans, especially at a club like Manchester United, it’s hard to get them back. “Obviously, they have achieved a lot, and financially, the fact we’re even talking about the numbers of what Manchester United will sell for shows the success they’ve had,” he told The Athletic.
“But there needs to be change. We’ve all seen that, we all know that. It hasn’t been the greatest of times for Manchester United, on the field or off the field. Off the field, as a fan and ex-player, I just want [the takeover] resolved. There has to be a decision.
“Whoever is running your club, you want them to be passionate, be involved, make the right decisions, bring in the right players and invest in the club. Because the club does need investment, whether it’s the training facility, stadium, on the field… these kinds of big things need to be made and changes do need to happen.”
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