Gary Neville blasts ‘unacceptable’ Glazer plan amid Man Utd ‘exclusive talks’ claim

Gary Neville has expressed his disdain at reports linking Manchester United with a partial sale to US investment firm Apollo.

Widespread speculation in recent days has suggested that United’s owners, the Glazer Family, are considering the prospect of selling a minority stake in the club.

According to the Daily Mail, one of the parties interested in buying shares is Apollo, with an update from the outlet claiming that the Glazers are in “exclusive talks” with the management company over a possible agreement.

But Neville has been quick to voice his displeasure at any potential deal involving the firm.

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What did Neville say about Apollo?

Reacting to the news of Apollo’s potential investment in United, Neville wrote on his personal Twitter account: “If the reports are true that the Glazer Family are ready to part sell ahead of a full sale it’s totally unacceptable that this is to a US investment fund.

“Apollo have been mentioned but they need to know they will not be welcomed in Manchester”.

Who are Apollo?

Apollo Global Management is an American private equity firm that specialises in investment management, as well as investing in credit, private equity, and real assets.

As of March this year, the company had $512 billion [£435.2 billion] worth of assets under management, according to their own annual reports.

The company also invests money on behalf of pension funds, financial endowments, and sovereign wealth funds, as well as other institutional and individual investors.

Apollo was founded in 1990 by Leon Black, Josh Harris, and Marc Rowan, and is headquartered in New York City, with offices across North America, Europe, and Asia.

What else has Neville said about the United ownership situation?

Neville has been open in his criticism of the Glazers in recent times, and delivered an impassioned rant against the owners in the aftermath of last Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at the hands of Brentford.

Speaking on Sky Sports, as quoted by the Daily Mail, he said: “There is a family in America that is letting its employees take the blame. They need to get on a plane to Manchester and explain what the plan is. We never will have the Glazers here. The only money that has been spent on players has been generated by the club.

“The Glazers have borrowed and used the revenue the club generates through its amazing fanbase. Us four could buy the club tomorrow and spend the same money. My point is there has been a toxic culture at this club for the last 10 years since Alex Ferguson and David Gill left. It’s a mess.

“And it cannot continue to go on. The embedded failure over a 10-year period has to come back to the owner. I blamed [Ed] Woodward for a long time but the Glazers left him in situ. They haven’t dealt with the football ground which is rusting.

“They need a billion for the stadium and probably a few hundred million for the training facilities. They were cash rich a few years ago now they’re struggling. Something has to give.”