Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Man Utd takeover: Sir Jim Ratcliffe torches Sheikh Jassim transfer plans with strongly-worded response to Glazers report

Sir Jim Ratcliffe Man Utd co-owner

Sir Jim Ratcliffe insists he’s still in the running to secure a Man Utd takeover despite reports that his bid is close to being rejected and Sheikh Jassim’s offer is set to be accepted by the Glazer family.

The Red Devils were put up for sale back in November 2022 when the ultra-unpopular Glazers advised they were open to fresh investment or selling up.

Having bought United for £790m back in 2005, the Americans stand to make a disgustingly-huge profit. Indeed, with two main bidders coming to the fore, the Glazers have managed to drive the price upwards of £5.5bn.

The first offering has been made by Ratcliffe and his INEOS group. Having already bought into French side Nice and Swiss second tier side FC Lausanne-Sport, they at least have some experience of running football clubs.

Their bid for United is reportedly worth £5.5bn – but reportedly allows the Glazers to retain a minority stake.

Countering that is the Qatari consortium, headed up by Sheikh Jassim. They have big ambitions for the club, including the funding of several high-profile signings, potentially starting with a €100m-rated Real Madrid star.

His bid for United is reportedly worth £6bn, which would see the Glazers entire shareholdings bought out. As well as investing in the playing side of things, Sheikh Jassim and Co also plan to wipe out the club’s £500m debts.

However, the saga has dragged on for months and is yet to reach a conclusion. As a result, the lack of a decision has impacted on Erik ten Hag’s summer transfer business as he awaits clarity on just how much money he will have at his disposal.

READ MORE ~ Man Utd takeover: Ten Hag transfer plans torched as Sheikh Jassim hits Glazers impasse with Rio Ferdinand sharing inside track

Man Utd takeover: Sir Jim Ratcliffe provides update on bid to buy out Glazers

Nonetheless, it seems the end is now finally in sight. That’s amid claims Sheikh Jassim is set to be named as the preferred bidder.

That comes after business journalist David Hellier described Ratcliffe’s bid as ‘dead in the water’.

Hellier said: “I was picking up from advisors to Man United that his bid, as things stand, is dead in the water. I mean absolutely dead in the water.

“And the reason for that is he’s proposing a structure that would buy out the Glazers, the majority shareholders, and not offer anything to the minority holders. The minority holders are slightly aggressive funds, mainly in the US there are some in the UK.”

Despite those claims, Ratcliffe is adamant his offer remains under consideration.

Speaking at a recent book launch, he provided an update on the situation.

“We have a good offer and we have met with the Glazers a couple of times,” Ratcliffe said.

“We’ve had good discussions with them. We would still very much like to do it. And we would be doing it for the right reasons. But in the end it is their decision not our decision.”

Sir Jim insists Qatari bid doesn’t guarantee big-money Man Utd transfers

Ratcliffe added: “Teams don’t come around very often. There are some special teams and the value of them tends to go up.

“They ain’t making them any more. Manchester United and these type of clubs, it’s like art or areas like that.

“When you have special things, their value continues to pick up over time. It’s because they are very special and rare.

“I don’t like throwing money away or losing money.

“It doesn’t make me happy at all. But we aren’t there to make money out of it. If it’s a really good asset it will increase it’s value over time.”

Ratcliffe has also responded to claims he is considering renaming Old Trafford were he to takeover.

His reply though quickly puts paid to those ideas, when he responded: “God no, that would be heresy.”

Ratcliffe has also torches claims United would have a blank chequebook to sign any player in the world if the Qatari bid was successful.

They have been linked with blockbuster moves for the likes of Kylian Mbappe.

However, Ratcliffe insists the club would still need to operate within limitations.

“You can only spend the money that you receive,” he said. “Obviously that wasn’t always the case, for example with PSG and Manchester City.”

READ MORE ~ Man Utd transfers: Ten Hag ecstatic as talks on €60m star accelerate and world-class signing No 2 edges closer