Sir Jim Ratcliffe considers DITCHING his Manchester United takeover bid in favour of buying a minority stake – which would leave the Glazers in control of the club – as British billionaire looks to break deadlock 10 months into sale process
- The Glazers put the club up for sale 10 months ago but the process has stalled
- Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim of Qatar were the two main bidders
- Click HERE to listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s ‘It’s All Kicking Off’
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is considering ditching his bid to takeover Manchester United in favour of buying a minority stake – which would leave the Glazer family in control of the club.
In a shock move that would no doubt trigger outrage among many of United’s supporters, the petrochemicals billionaire is mulling over a change of tack in an attempt to break the deadlock in what has been a tedious process which is now approaching its tenth month.
A spokesperson for Ratcliffe declined to comment, but it is understood that one of the options being looked at is the purchase of around 25 per cent of United’s shares.
That would likely bring in a figure close to £1.5bn for the Glazers, who paid £800m for the club in 2005 before plunging that debt onto United’s books.
While well short of a £6bn valuation, it could potentially provide much needed funds to revamp a decaying Old Trafford, although a rebuild would not be possible. It may also hand an injection of cash into a transfer kitty for manager Erik ten Hag although it would remain to be seen how such cash would be spent.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is considering ditching his bid to takeover Manchester United in favour of buying a minority stake
The deal would likely bring in a figure close to £1.5bn for the Glazers and leave them in control of the club for the foreseeable future
United fans have long protested against the American owners and have demanded a full sale
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However, fans have already protested against the current owners and have demanded a full sale.
According to Sky News, who broke news of the development which sources subsequently confirmed to Mail Sport, such an offer would see Ratcliffe take an equal portion of A and B shares.
Some holders of A shares – which are publicly traded – have flagged concerns over previous proposals for Ratcliffe to make a majority bid by buying the more powerful B shares from the six Glazer siblings.
Potential legal challenges had been raised as a prospect should that route be taken. Ratcliffe’s main rival, Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, submitted his final bid for total control of the club back in May.
Mail Sport understands that the Qatari remains committed to a 100 per cent takeover. United have endured a miserable start to the season.
Saturday’s home defeat to Crystal Palace left them 10th in the table, already nine points behind leaders City after just seven games. Ten Hag’s side take on Galatasaray in the Champions League at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
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