According to a report from The Sun, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, one of the bidders for Manchester United, is getting ready to submit an offer to acquire a minority stake in the club at Old Trafford.
Reports indicate that Ratcliffe is considering purchasing a 25 percent stake in Manchester United, with the transaction estimated to be around £1.5 billion. The proposed deal would involve Sir Jim acquiring an equal proportion of A and B shares in the Red Devils. Currently, the B shares are owned by the Glazers, while the A shares are publicly traded. Should Ratcliffe’s proposal be approved, it would mean that the current unpopular owners would retain control of the Manchester giants.
The Takeover Saga Continues
It has been ten months since the American owners initiated a “strategic review” of their ownership. Nevertheless, the Premier League powerhouse finds itself in a state of uncertainty outside of the playing field, with no resolution in sight.
Proposals led by Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe through his INEOS company have not received approval from the Glazer family. Consequently, Manchester United continues to be under the leadership of the often criticized American owners.
Discussions regarding the Glazer family’s role at Manchester United frequently generate strong differences of opinion among fans of the Red Devils. In general, many devoted United supporters view the Glazers as to be detrimental to the club, with the outlook that the American owners are primarily focused on exploiting the team for their financial gains. Nonetheless, that is just one side of the story.
What Would Be the Administrative Impact If Sir Jim’s Proposal Is Accepted?
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s proposal is to acquire a 25 percent stake in Manchester United, leaving the majority of shares still held by the Glazers. The introduction of a new stakeholder could potentially lead to adjustments in the financial structure that the American owners initially brought to the club. This may offer a glimmer of hope for the disappointed United fans, especially in light of rising ticket prices, which have left them discontented.
Nonetheless, it is unlikely that we will witness significant administrative changes, as the new stakeholder would hold only a minority share. The majority of decision-making authority would continue to rest with the Glazers.
Regardless of one’s stance on their financial decisions, it’s important to acknowledge that the Glazers rarely, if ever, meddle in matters directly related to the football played on the pitch. Despite the Red Devils’ disappointing performances in recent matches, they have continued to show support for Erik ten Hag and are solely reliant on him for football-related decisions, particularly regarding player transfers.
There are certainly aspects of the Glazers’ involvement with Man United that raise questions from time to time. However, labeling them as entirely corrupt and detrimental to England’s most successful football team would also be unjust.
