For many years, Manchester United fans have hoped for a change in ownership. Finally, the Glazer family is rumored to be considering selling the club, and a Qatari-led group is expected to make a bid for the club this week.
Qatari Sports Investments, who own Paris Saint-Germain, has been approached about purchasing Manchester United. Following the success of the World Cup in Qatar, the royal family is eager to continue their investment in sports, and Manchester United is a top target.
The rules of UEFA state that a single owner cannot own two clubs competing in the same European competition, but there are ways around this. For example, if Manchester United were owned by someone other than Qatar Sports Investments, this would not be an issue. It is worth noting that there have been previous examples of this, with Leipzig and Salzburg both owned by Red Bull and competing in the same European competitions.
Jim Ratcliffe, one of the UK’s wealthiest men, has already publicly stated his desire to purchase Manchester United. He already owns OGC Nice in France and could face the same problems as the Qatari group if he buys Manchester United.
Around 20 parties are said to be interested in purchasing the club, but only four are considered serious bidders capable of paying the asking price of at least £5 billion. Serious bidders must submit their bids by Friday, along with proof of funds and a brief description of their bid.
The Rain group, the bank handling the sale, will then discuss the bids with the Glazer family and present two or three preferred bidders. These preferred bidders will be provided with more detailed information about the club, including access to all accounts and data, as well as an opportunity to meet with the Glazer family.
The Glazer family will make the final decision on which bid to accept or whether to sell the club at all. They could decide to keep Manchester United, sell a small stake, or sell the entire club. If the Glazers are willing to sell, the process of selling the club can be quick, but it can also be long and drawn out.
Manchester United fans have long been dissatisfied with the Glazer family’s ownership of the club, and the prospect of a change in ownership has created a buzz of excitement among the fan base. However, keep in mind that nothing has been confirmed, and the Glazer family has not publicly stated their intention to sell the club.
The next few days will be critical for Manchester United’s future, as the soft deadline for bids approaches and the Glazer family weighs their options. The expected Qatari bid and Jim Ratcliffe’s involvement have added to the already intense speculation about the club’s future.
