Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have submitted what are expected to be final bids to buy Manchester United from the Glazer family, meeting a 10pm Friday deadline. The Qatari banker's offer includes a pledge to invest significantly in capital and infrastructure and would remove all debt from the club, while INEOS owner Ratcliffe, who was born in Manchester, has also made an updated proposal.
The Glazer family is said to value the club at £6 billion, with the Raine Group overseeing the process. Bloomberg reported that bidders have been asked to clarify the source of their funds, planned financial models, and any debts secured against the club. In addition to the two main bidders, firms including Carlyle, Elliott Management, Ares Management, and Sixth Street have reportedly made minority investment proposals.
One option reportedly under consideration could see Ratcliffe take a controlling stake of over 50 per cent, with Avram and Joel Glazer retaining a combined 20 per cent. This has sparked opposition from fan group The 1958, which posted on Twitter: 'If you get in bed with Glazer. You are a Glazer. The fans will have their say this Sunday. FULL SALE ONLY.'
United fans have protested against the Glazers since their leveraged takeover in 2005. Banners were displayed at last weekend's FA Cup semi-final, and a protest is planned for Sunday's Premier League match against Aston Villa, including an 18-minute boycott—one minute for each year of Glazer ownership.
