April 29, (THEWILL) – Manchester United could be set for a change of ownership, as both Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, have reportedly submitted final bids to buy the club from the Glazer family.
The deadline for the third offer was Friday, with both parties swiftly submitting their proposals. Sheikh Jassim’s offer is believed to include a significant pledge to invest in capital and infrastructure, while Ratcliffe, who was born in Manchester and owns INEOS, has also made an updated offer for the club.
This is the latest since United’s board announced in November that they were exploring strategic alternatives to enhance the club’s growth, with a full sale being one option.
Bidders have been asked to scale prerequisite hurdles including clarifying the source of their money, their planned financial models and debts that would be secured against the club.
In addition to Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe, Carlyle, Elliott Management, Ares Management and Sixth Street have reportedly also submitted bids although they went for the option of seeking only minority stock investments in the club.
United fans have long been unhappy with the Glazer family’s club ownership and have renewed protests against them for the past year. The 1958, a United supporters group, posted on Twitter this week: “If you get in bed with Glazer. You are a Glazer. The fans will have their say this Sunday. FULL SALE ONLY.”
A protest is planned at Sunday’s English Premier League home match against Aston Villa, with the march leaving from central Manchester at 11.45 am and involving an 18-minute boycott of the match, to further press their grievances with the Glazers.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
