Man Utd owners the Glazers have takeover ‘preference’ with plan to win over supporters
Manchester United supporters are still waiting to hear the destiny of their team as the Glazers consider a number of purchase approaches.
According to reports, the Glazers would prefer to keep control of Manchester United at the completion of their purchase process, leaving Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani with an uphill battle. However, the Red Devils’ contentious owners have a plan to pacify supporters, with more cash on the way in some form or another.
Raine Group, the bank handling United’s potential sale, has maintained conversations with buyout candidates this week, as fans await answers on what has turned out to be a lengthy and drawn-out process.
Sir Jim is said to have offered to purchase a controlling position in United, allowing the Glazers to remain in the boardroom in a minority capacity for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, Sheikh Jassim wants to buy the entire club.
Many United supporters welcome the deal led by the famed Qatari banker because it would include significant investment in both the playing squad and Old Trafford itself.
However, The Independent reports that there is a ‘belief’ behind the scenes at United that the Glazers’ ‘desire’ is to raise just enough money to restore the stadium while maintaining control.
As a result, Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim are not the only parties interested in purchasing a minority position in the Red Devils. The Glazers continuing at the top of the boardroom would enrage fans, but the American billionaire family does have a plan to attempt to calm things down.
The Glazers will apparently utilize any potential minority investment to renovate Old Trafford, which has been one of the fans’ major complaints in recent years. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which is now a crucial financial generator for the north London club, is thought to have influenced senior United leaders.
With a capacity of nearly 74,000, Old Trafford is the Premier League’s largest stadium, but its dilapidated state meant it was passed over for the UK and Ireland’s bid to host Euro 2028.
While the Glazers’ reluctance to relinquish control of United is bolstered by the length of the takeover negotiations, a decision is expected soon, with manager Erik ten Hag allegedly growing antsy as the summer transfer window approaches.
With a takeover requiring about two weeks for Premier League permission, Ten Hag might be forced to wait even longer for new players while United’s rivals make headway.
