Man United’s takeover saga does not look close to ending as the Glazers continue to mull over the bids on the table
Manchester United owners the Glazers are continuing to mull over the offers on the table as fans wait for clarity on the situation.
Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are both waiting for the American family to make a decision on which bid they will accept. The Qatari banker’s approach is thought to be in the lead after some reports this week suggested Avram and Joel Glazer had warmed to the idea of a full sale.
Manchester United bidder Sheikh Jassim
While details of the bidders’ plans are scarce, reports have suggested Sheikh Jassim has a few policies which he would like to implement if he beats Ratcliffe to the takeover. MEN Sport has taken a look at his plan as well as other headlines below.
Sheikh Jassim’s plan for United takeover
Manchester United’s protracted takeover continues to rumble on and has reached its eighth month following the Glazers’ announcement to “explore strategic alternatives for the club” back in November.
British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe was the first interested party to throw his hat into the ring to become the club’s next owner, with Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani also entering a bid to purchase the club. Since then a further four rounds of bidding have taken place with the two billionaires vying to be named preferred bidder by US investment firm Raine Group, which is handling the sale.
Sheikh Jassim is offering to take 100 per cent control of United, while Sir Jim Ratcliffe would take a controlling stake that would allow Joel and Avram Glazer to stay ahead of a phased departure in the future. Any new regime would likely make big changes behind the scenes, with both parties promising to return United to the pinnacle of world football.
After submitting his initial bid for the club in February, a statement from Sheikh Jassim’s camp read: “The bid plans to return the club to its former glories both on and off the pitch and – above all – will seek to place the fans at the heart of Manchester United Football Club once more.
Ratcliffe’s verdict after Glazers meeting
Sir Jim Ratcliffe described Joel and Avram Glazer as “proper gentlemen” following his first meeting with the Manchester United owners.
The owner of petrochemical firm INEOS is hoping to purchase the Old Trafford outfit from the Glazers, although he will have to beat Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani in order to do so. The current regime announced their decision to sell up all the way back in November, with the takeover process now set to enter its eighth month.
Five rounds of bidding have taken place, with both bidders’ teams meeting with the current owners following the first round of bidding back in March. Failsworth-𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 Sir Jim attended those meetings in person.
The British billionaire has held a public interest in purchasing the club he supported as a boy for some time but submitted a bid for Chelsea last year before Roman Abramovich eventually sold to Todd Boehly’s consortium as he believed the Glazers wouldn’t be selling up any time soon. That view came about after Sir Jim met Avram and Joel – and he gave a glowing assessment of the pair as he shared details of the meeting last year.
Source: мanchestereʋeningnews
