Sir Jim Ratcliffe spoke about Manchester United for the first time this week since his spokesperson made it clear that he was interested in buying the club from the Glazer family.
Everyone got excited this week because Ratcliffe had scheduled a Q&A with the Financial Times, in front of a live audience, but truth be told he didn’t give too much away.
Ratcliffe confirmed he has spoken with the Glazers, who he says are nice people, but stressed that the American family doesn’t want to sell Manchester United.
Ratcliffe was quoted as saying: “We can’t sit around hoping United will become available.”
That may seem like a ploy to kick the Glazers into gear, but reports from the Daily Star suggest the Glazers would accept a bid more than $10 billion.
Everything has a price!
Gary Neville suggests Ratcliffe is playing the long game with Glazers
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has been very vocal about the Glazers in recent years (that wasn’t always the case) and I’ve always got the impression that he would try urge someone like Ratcliffe to pull off a takeover.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Neville said: “I think they [supporters] will be frustrated – but I think they will also recognise that Jim Ratcliffe was very respectful towards the family.
“I think if you’re going to be disrespectful to the family, they’re not going to do business with you in the future.
“What he did felt like to me ‘look, the owners don’t want to sell but they were very decent with me’ and if that changes in the future, then maybe he’ll be there.
“I can’t see how this is sustainable, how they can’t bring in investment, or a partner or sell. I just can’t see it. They haven’t got the money to be able to do what Manchester United need.”
Let us know in the comments section if you think Ratcliffe has a trick up his sleeve?
The only way I can see to get the glazers to sell. Is the fans to stop spending money at the turn stiles and super store bring down the share price . and keep it that way untill they see there is no big payday for them and take what they can get and seel the club to a buyer who wants to put the club back on a good sound footing