After months of speculation and rumors, Manchester United’s sale to potential buyers has entered its third round of bidding. With a list of interested parties, including American businessman and co-owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Joel Glazer, and Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, this final stage marks a critical moment in the future of one of the world’s most iconic football clubs. Reports indicate that potential buyers have until the end of April to submit their final offers, and as the deadline approaches, the question on everyone’s mind is: who will become the new owner of Manchester United?
The sale process for Manchester United is set to move into a third round of bidding, with Raine Group asking rival bidders to submit their final offers by the end of April. It is understood that seven interested parties are vying for a minority stake in the club, with Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe expected to put in final offers before the deadline. The Glazers are reportedly looking for a minimum of £6bn to sell Manchester United.
Sheikh Jassim is said to be willing to overpay, with a figure closer to the Glazers’ valuation, while British billionaire Ratcliffe’s INEOS delegation has also submitted bids. Elliott Management, a US hedge fund, has made an offer to buy a minority stake in the club and has offered to finance other parties interested in investing in United.
Gary Neville has been outspoken in his criticism of the Glazers, calling them “classless” after it emerged that the takeover process would enter a third round of bidding. Neville has also urged the Glazers to sell the club, warning that if they stay on, it will become “toxic” for them.
Manchester United’s remaining fixtures include a Europa League game against Sevilla, Premier League matches against Nottingham Forest, Tottenham, Aston Villa, Wolves, and Bournemouth, and an FA Cup semi-final against Brighton, with a fixture against Fulham to be confirmed.
As the race for Manchester United’s ownership enters its final stretch, the anticipation is palpable amongst fans and potential buyers alike. With the deadline for final offers now set for the end of April, the pressure is on for those vying to take control of one of the world’s most iconic football clubs.
It’s been a tense journey so far, with multiple rounds of bidding and intense scrutiny placed on the financial and footballing potential of each of the interested parties. However, with the final hurdle in sight, it’s now up to the potential buyers to make their best offer and convince the current owners that they are the right fit for the future of Manchester United.
Whatever the outcome of this process, it’s clear that the future of Manchester United is set to be one of the most intriguing stories in world football in the coming months. The question now is, who will emerge as the victorious bidder and take the reins of one of football’s most iconic clubs?
