Premier League football returns for Manchester United on Saturday as Erik ten Hag’s side host Brighton and Hove Albion.
But apart from what happens on the ground, uncertainty reigns. The Glazers announced a “strategic review” of their ownership of the club in November.
At the time, it was stressed that all options would remain on the table, including a full sale. Two bidders emerged as favorites to buy the club; Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani.
Updates on the two businessmen’s progress have been limited. Sir Jim Ratcliffe said this week that if he acquired the club, failure was not an option.
But as the share price continues to fall at Old Trafford, whoever takes on the task of managing United will have their work cut out for them. Today, MEN Sports will provide an update on what’s happening with the buyout and also bring you the latest news on the sale.
Follow all the updates on our live blog below.
One of the standout kits of the new season, the base color of the adidas jersey is green with white stripes and brown lines, ensuring United have one of the most eye-catching jerseys in the game for the campaign 2023/2024.
12:03Jack Flintham
Neville insists Glazers will sell
While Sheikh Jassim is not entirely convinced that the Glazers are willing to sell the club, Giggs’ friend and former teammate Gary Neville is sure they will sell the club.
Speaking after the defeat to Arsenal earlier this month, Neville told Sky Sports:
They are [about to sell] it’s just a game for them. They think it’s a toy. Of course they’re going to sell, they’re desperate for money. They can’t even compete on FFP anymore. United speak as if they are a mid-table club when it comes to the transfer market.
11:47 a.m.Jack Flintham
United legend Giggs’ thoughts on takeover
In a recent interview on YouTube channel Webby & O’Neil, Ryan Giggs appeared to lean towards Sheikh Jassim when asked for his preference for United’s future owner.
He explained:
It is the one who will make the difference, the one who will invest significant sums. From the outside, it is Sheikh Jassim who will invest the most money, who will own it 100 percent. We need significant investment both in the playing staff, in the stadium and on the training ground. You need everything. If things weren’t too bad on the pitch, if we won games, won trophies, then we could probably get through this. But we don’t win games, we don’t win trophies and it’s just extra pressure for the coach, for the players, with a lot of outside noise.
11:35 a.m.Jack Flintham
Offers on the table for Glaziers
Currently, two offers are on the table for the Glazers to consider.
Both are thought to be in the region of £5 billion, but the amount of club both men want to buy with that figure differs.
Sheikh Jassim is looking to buy 100 percent of the club, while Ratcliffe is looking to buy around 60 percent.
Some fans are concerned about the latter’s offer as it opens the door to the current owners remaining at Old Trafford.
11:20 a.m.Jack Flintham
Why is Sheikh Jassim worried about the sale
MEN Sport understands that Sheikh Jassim’s concerns over the sale stem from a lack of communication from the Glazers.
We reported in August that the Qatari banker was still awaiting a response from the owners for an offer lodged in May and valued at more than £5 billion.
However, the offer still remains on the table.
11:01 a.m.Jack Flintham
Sheikh Jassim’s position on the takeover
According to The Guardian, Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe are willing to be patient in terms of buyout.
MEN Sports revealed in August that the Qatari banker was unsure of the Glazers’ plans to sell the club.
But it is understood he is happy to “play the long game”.
10:44 a.m.Jack Flintham
What Snapdragon’s sponsorship deal means for the buyout
As previously mentioned, United signed a new jersey sponsorship deal with American technology company Qualcomm Snapdragon this week.
The deal is worth £60 million a year to the Reds and will begin at the start of next season.
According to Mike Keegan of the Daily Mail, this contract is not a meaningful indicator of the progress of the sale and shows little more than the strength of the company at this stage.
10:37 a.m.Jack Flintham
Everton finalizes its takeover
Away from selling United briefly as Premier League rival Everton finalizes takeover.
It has been announced that owner Farhad Moshiri has signed an agreement with 777 Partners for the American investment company to acquire its majority stake in the club.
A statement from Moshiri via the Merseyside club read:
The nature of ownership and financing of major football clubs has changed significantly since I first invested in Everton over seven years ago. The days of one owner/benefactor seem out of reach for most, and the biggest clubs are now typically owned by well-resourced private equity firms, specialist sports investors, or private equity firms and funds supported by the state.
10:31 a.m.Jack Flintham
Latest stock price
The New York Stock Exchange opens at 2.30pm UK time and United’s share price will be $19.66 per share.
It’s been a tough few weeks for Reds shares following news of the Glazers potentially pulling out of a sale.
Despite their new jersey sponsorship deal with Snapdragon, shares have continued to decline and are down 0.63% over the past five days.
Jack Flintham
Good morning
Hello and welcome to the United Takeover blog.
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