Man Utd Takeover: Who Will Be the Next Owner of the Red Devils?

Manchester United is one of the most successful and popular football clubs in the world, with 20 league titles, 12 FA Cups, 5 League Cups, 3 European Cups, and a global fan base of over 1.1 billion people. However, the club has also been the subject of a long-running takeover saga, as its current owners, the Glazer family, have faced criticism and protests from fans and former players over their debt-laden and profit-driven approach to running the club. In November 2022, the Glazers announced that they were considering selling the club and invited bids from interested parties. Since then, several potential buyers have emerged, each with their own vision and offer for the club. In this article, we will examine the latest developments and prospects of the Man Utd takeover process, and analyze who will be the next owner of the Red Devils.

The Main Bidders

According to various reports, there are three main bidders who are vying to buy Manchester United from the Glazers: Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Thomas Zilliacus .

Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is a British billionaire and the founder and chairman of Ineos, a multinational chemical company. He is also a football fan and owns two clubs: Nice in France and Lausanne in Switzerland. Ratcliffe has reportedly offered the Glazers a deal that would see them remain on board with a reduced stake of around 20%, while he would take control of the majority stake of around 69%. Ratcliffe’s bid is said to be worth around £4 billion. Ratcliffe’s main selling point is his wealth and business acumen, as he is the richest person in Britain with a net worth of £16.2 billion. He also has experience in running football clubs and has invested heavily in Nice and Lausanne. Ratcliffe’s main drawback is his lack of popularity among some fans, who see him as another profit-oriented businessman who may not have the best interests of the club at heart. Some fans also question his commitment to football, as he has previously expressed interest in buying other clubs such as Chelsea and Tottenham.

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is a Qatari banker and a member of the royal family. He is also a football enthusiast and has been involved in several football-related ventures, such as sponsoring Barcelona and owning Malaga in Spain. Sheikh Jassim has reportedly submitted a bid that would see him acquire 100% of Manchester United from the Glazers. Sheikh Jassim’s bid is said to be worth around £5 billion. Sheikh Jassim’s main selling point is his financial power and ambition, as he is backed by Qatar’s immense wealth and influence. He also has a vision to make Manchester United a global powerhouse that can compete with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, both owned by Qatari and Emirati investors respectively. Sheikh Jassim’s main drawback is his controversial reputation and potential political implications, as Qatar has been accused of human rights violations, corruption, and supporting terrorism by some countries. Some fans also fear that Sheikh Jassim may not respect the club’s history, culture, and values, and may impose his own agenda on the club.

Thomas Zilliacus

Thomas Zilliacus is a Finnish entrepreneur and former Nokia executive. He is also a lifelong Manchester United fan and has been involved in several sports-related businesses, such as HJK Helsinki and Jokerit in Finland. Zilliacus has reportedly submitted a bid that would see him buy half of Manchester United from the Glazers, while the other half would be bought by fans through a new company that he has set up for this purpose. Zilliacus’ bid is said to be worth around $3.9 billion. Zilliacus’ main selling point is his fan-centric approach and democratic model, as he wants to give fans a say in the club’s decision-making through an app that he has developed. He also wants to restore the club’s glory days by investing in youth development, scouting, and coaching. Zilliacus’ main drawback is his lack of financial clout and experience compared to his rivals, as he may not be able to match their offers or resources. Some fans also doubt his credibility and feasibility, as they question his motives and methods.

The Latest Developments

The Man Utd takeover process has been ongoing for over nine months, and has seen several twists and turns along the way. The initial deadline for submitting bids was set at 21:00 GMT on 24 March 2023, but was later extended to allow more time for negotiations. Since then, all three bidders have reportedly revised and increased their bids, as they try to persuade the Glazers to sell the club. According to The Sun, Sheikh Jassim is ‘set to win’ the fight to buy Man Utd, with a ‘done deal’ to be announced in November. However, according to Ben Jacobs, a journalist who has been closely following the saga, the timescale for the takeover is ‘less urgent’ now that the summer transfer window is over, and that the bidders are ‘less panicked’ about a specific deadline. Jacobs also suggested that the Glazers may still be reluctant to sell the club, as they have spent more than expected on new signings this summer, such as Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Conclusion

Manchester United is one of the most coveted and valuable football clubs in the world, and has attracted several potential buyers who want to take over from the unpopular Glazer family. The three main bidders are Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Thomas Zilliacus, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. The takeover process has been long and complex, and has seen several developments and updates in recent months. However, the final outcome is still uncertain, as the Glazers have not yet agreed to sell the club, and the bidders have not yet reached a definitive agreement. The Man Utd takeover saga is likely to continue for some time, as fans eagerly await further news on who will be the next owner of the Red Devils.