Manchester United fans were up in arms again vehemently protesting the Glazers ownership during the Premier League match against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford.
And now Britain’s richest man Jim Ratcliffe has taken a step forward indicating that he would be interested in buying Manchester United should the Glazer family be prepared to sell their entire controlling stake in the club – with suggestions that a sale of another part of their holding could be imminent.
A spokesman for Ratcliffe (69) said: “If the club is for sale Jim is definitely a potential buyer”.
The Ineos billionaire was unsuccessful in a late attempt to buy Chelsea earlier this year, having joined the process a tad too late only after the deadline set by the New York merchant bank for bids to be submitted by interested parties.
A hive of activities is being stirred up as potential investors in United are being sounded out by third parties on behalf of the club pertaining to their interest in buying a part of the Glazer stake, as the latest hint is that the 17-year ownership by the US-based family may possibly be drawing to an end.
The spokesman for Ineos said billionaire Ratcliffe would only be interested in “long-term ownership” and not be only a part of the decision-making process. He added that “the time was right for a reset”.
The Glazer ownership, long despised by United’s ardent fans, has never been under greater pressure than it is now after two abysmal defeats at the start of this season following last year’s managerial mayhem, ending up with a sixth-place finish that left them high and dry without Champions League qualification.
The dreadful start to 2022-’23 has been further exacerbated by the ensuing chaos in the club’s transfer market dealings leading to advisors with links to the Glazer family sending out feelers to potential investors with interest – although it still remains unclear whether any official appointment has been made to sell the club.
The value of the club’s shares on the New York Stock Exchange has plunged over the last year although they have rallied in the last 24 hours up more than 5pc yesterday.
The club’s market value is £1.83bn (€2.16bn) currently, although the Glazers have placed a much higher price on United with some estimating that it will take £5bn (€5.92bn) to secure the wealthiest club – by revenue generation – in English football.