Man Utd takeover latest as saga reaches 240 days to fuel Glazers speculation
It is 240 days since the Glazer family announced in a 333-word statement that Manchester United would begin exploring “strategic alternatives.”
Millions of words, a seemingly endless stream of speculation and two clear frontrunners to become the club’s next owners have emerged in the intervening months but a conclusion appears no closer.
Fans are growing frustrated with the impasse and the lack of clarity around a basic timeline has led to increased questions and doubts.
Here, Mirror Football outlines what we do know behind the smoke and mirrors of a takeover saga that appears set to drag on - and predicts what will eventually happen.
Where do things stand?
Still. The past couple of weeks have been particularly quiet with even the rumour mill sedated. Perhaps the silence is a sign of work being done behind the scenes but the most recent update has been that both Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe were ready to agree a deal but waiting to hear which would be given the status of preferred bidder.
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Once (or more pertinently if) that is decided then the process should move forward quickly and no party involved is expecting there to be any surprise hurdles to climb.
Despite several false reports, emanating from Qatar, that their man would be proceeding as the Glazers’ first choice, neither hopeful has a notion which will be chosen.
Avram Glazer at the FA Cup final in June (Getty Images)Why is it taking so long?
There are a number of theories but the most common and logical is that the Glazers are not convinced that they do actually want to sell.
And it is worth bearing in mind one key part of their statement from last November: “There can be no assurance that the review being undertaken will result in any transaction involving the company.”
They have not promised to move on and the entire episode, should it end up with the incumbents remaining in situ, can easily be passed off as dipping toes in water.
There had been whispers that the siblings - Avram and Joel are the hands on operators, but the other four retain a say - may not be on the same page around what to do about the club their father, Malcolm, purchased in a highly-controversial leveraged buyout.
Insiders are certain there are no other significant issues blocking the process from advancing.
Mason Mount in action against Lyon.How is the saga affecting the club ahead of the new season?
The scale is hard to quantify but, in terms of strategising, the long-term future of the club is certainly playing a role.
Questions remain around the transfer budget that is available to bolster head coach Erik ten Hag’s playing pool as he aims to close the gap on rivals Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
Mason Mount has arrived from Chelsea, Andre Onana is set to finalise his switch from Inter Milan and the Dutch boss is also desperate to add a No9 with Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund linked.
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Yet well-sourced reports suggest United must also move fringe players on to fund signings and, without disrespecting those being linked, they are not of the same calibre being chased by the likes of City.
They are not operating in the same financial environment as several superclubs across Europe - and for many fans that is the biggest reason why fresh investment is required.
Are Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe running out of patience?
It appears not. Both parties have come this far, they may as well wait and see what happens. Their bids are in, they are very eager to be United’s next owners. And the rest is out of their hands.
Erik ten Hag is still looking for a new No9.What happens next?
One of the two will be told they are being given preferred bidder status, enabling them to enter a period of exclusivity to hash out the final details of a potential deal.
A word of warning, though: just because one group is put forward to this stage, it is not a guarantee of the deal being completed because both sides still have the freedom to pull the plug.
That would be a very unpopular call, of course, but there is nothing stopping them should they decide the financials or vibes are not right.
This is complete speculation but with each passing week the chances of the Glazers deciding to remain or asking for even more money increases.
Only they and close confidants will know of their intentions with even the next prospective owners in the dark.
The rigmarole may be 240 days old but only the foolish should expect a sudden completion.
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