Inside ‘Man Utd Candidates To Replace The Glazers Explained As Takeover ‘Could Be Done Soon’ Manchester United’s takeover could be completed ‘very soon’, it has been claimed. And that will be music to the ears of fans who have long wanted the Glazers to go. Silverware has dried up under the frugal Americans and it seems as though their time at Old Trafford is nearing an end after 17 years of rule.
Man Utd Candidates To Replace The Glazers Explained As Takeover ‘Could Be Done Soon’
The Athletic journalist David Ornstein recently revealed United’s takeover could be done soon, saying: “The Raine Bank who are in charge of this process they are aiming for a complete sale of Manchester United in the first quarter of 2023.
“Therefore the Glazer family are not going to sanction a massive outlay of cash on deals at this time of the year.
“You will need to watch this space on a takeover because it could be coming very soon and it will be a seismic moment in the history of Manchester United because so many supporters have wanted a change in the hierarchy.
“They have had so many changes off the pitch but now it could go to the very top and if Raine Bank who are leading this process get their way, it is going to be a fascinating few months ahead to see who takes charge and leads them into the future.”
According to The Sun, the Raine Group have set an asking price of between £7billion and £8bn as they look to help the Glazers sell up.
And it’s claimed Sir Jim Ratcliffe is expected to enter the running to buy the Red Devils.
Ratcliffe has previously admitted to being a United fan and, earlier in the year, was unsuccessful with an attempt to buy Chelsea.
Industry insiders at the time did think, however, that his bid for the Blues was a way of showing he’s interested in owning a Premier League club.
Ratcliffe will need some help, however, and it’s claimed ‘other investors’ could join him in an attempt to rid the Glazers of the power positions.
Indian businessman Mukesh Ambani, who is reportedly worth a huge £73bn, is another candidate.
Yet the problem with Ambani is that his son is an Arsenal fan, and that could be a factor as to whether he challenges for United or not.
Sir Martin Broughton was eyeing Chelsea earlier in the year and even organised a consortium to buy the Blues.
Whether he’d do that again for United, though, is currently unclear.
Atalanta owner Stephen Pagliuca can’t be ruled out either, though the report adds Raine are ‘yet to hold serious talks’ with any interested party.
Amazon also can’t be ruled out, with reports last month suggesting they were a candidate as well.
Apple have distanced themselves from talk of a takeover, however, and Zara have done the same despite having the money to make a deal possible.
Meanwhile, any potential next owner of United will have to deal with the club’s eye-watering debt – which is believed to be around the £1bn mark.
But former Leeds and Middlesbrough star Noel Whelan, speaking recently, doesn’t think that will hamper any possible change of ownership.
“This is a club which has always been a giant in terms of worldwide popularity and saleability,” he told Football Insider.
“They don’t just have success off the pitch, either, it’s also a club with a history of winning trophies and honours.
