On the pitch, Manchester United are embarking on their most exciting period since Sir Alex Ferguson retired as a Premier League champion in 2013.
Off the pitch, the club has been allowed to rot and has been left behind by their competitors as the Glazer family, majority stake owners of the club, continue to use the club’s financial muscles for their own personal gain.
That personal gain, which has seen them withdraw regular dividend payments over the years, has led to a total decline on the pitch but the American owners announced that they were open to a partial or full sale last year.
Since then, a number of possible new owners have emerged but Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatar, namely Qatar Investment Authority, have been named as frontrunners.
Reports of a rumoured takeover by the Middle Eastern giants were boosted earlier this week when it was revealed that UEFA would not stand in their way despite their affiliation with Paris Saint-Germain.
Now, another update has been provided on the situation as talks of a Qatari takeover gain momentum.
بعد تعنت ملاك ليفربول وعدم موافقتهم لإعطاء نسبة تتخطى 49% (نسبة مسيطرة يكون فيها اتخاذ القرارات) تغيرت البوصلة تماماً لمانشستر يونايتد ، خطوات بسيطة جداً للإعلان عن الاستحواذ على اليونايتد
— محمد الكعبي (@Qatari) February 16, 2023
According to Mohammed Al-Kaabi, a Qatari journalist and reporter, Liverpool’s insistence on keeping a majority stake in the Merseyside club means that focus is now on acquiring United.
Additionally, the reporter crucially adds that ‘very simple’ steps remain before a takeover of United can be announced, hinting that something may already be in the works.
Majed Al-Khelaifi, another prominent journalist in Qatar, has added fuel to fire with a cryptic tweet, claiming United are now Qatari, as seen below.
مانشستر يونايتد ، قطري
Man united, Qatari pic.twitter.com/0YZ5Uk5sHW— ماجد الخليفي (@MAJEDALKHELAIFI) February 16, 2023
SN’s verdict…
There are, of course, people inside the club that are hoping for a takeover to be completed as soon as possible but in reality, this could take a while. Ratcliffe is unlikely to go down without a fight and 24 hours remain before United’s ‘soft’ bid deadline is passed.
Supporters can, however, take comfort in knowing that things are moving in the right direction and thankfully, it does look like the Glazer family are finally putting an end to their 18-year affiliation with the club.
