17 May 2023 , 13:57
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Manchester United fans have called on the Glazers to make a decision over the sale of the club now or risk ruining the progress made under Erik ten Hag.
The Manchester United Supporters Trust has urged the Glazers to make their minds up after Qatari billionaire Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani lodged an increased final bid of over £5.5billion.
United supporters fear the club faces a “disastrous” summer transfer window the longer the uncertainty over the ownership drags on, with a resolution to the situation no closer.
The transfer window opens on June 13, with Ten Hag having already admitted he has no idea how much he has to spend, while the future of the ownership of United remains up in the air.
“The sale process has now been going on for six months,” said a MUST spokesman.
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“With the transfer window about to open, the Glazers need to make a decision on the sale and fast. A summer of of uncertainty would be disastrous for Erik Ten Hag and cannot be allowed to happen.”
Sheikh Jassim’s hopes of buying United looked to be fading after he fell behind Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the bidding process, with the INEOS owner enabling the Glazers to stay on with a minority stake.
But an improved bid from Sheikh Jassim was lodged late on Tuesday, with the Qatar-backed proposal to buy 100 per cent of the club, clear all debts and make a “significant amount of additional capital and infrastructure investment”.
Jim Ratcliffe wants to complete a takeover at Old Trafford (VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)Sources close to the bid have made it clear significant funds will be made available for squad strengthening, a complete overhaul of Old Trafford, as well as modernisation of the training ground.
United co-chairman Avram Glazer is said to have been in contact with Sheikh Jassim’s bid team earlier this week, but no decision has yet been made on the identity of the preferred bidder.
Once a preferred bidder emerges, there could still be a delay of up to four weeks before any sale or change of ownership goes through.