Man Utd takeover news: ‘Bids expected in the next week’ as Glazers’ decision ‘impacts’ Liverpool’s sale

Manchester United are expecting to receive formal bids to buy the club in the next week, according to reports.

The Glazers announced in November they were seeking ‘strategic alternatives’ for the club, which could include a full sale. Since then, only Sir Jim Ratcliffe has publicly expressed his interest in buying United via his company Ineos, but that could change in the coming weeks.

The Daily Mail have reported that there is interest from ‘the US, the Middle East and Asia’ and the process is likely to advance soon, with the submission of formal bids ‘in the next week or so’. Those initial offers are likely to come at around £4b, lower than the Glazers’ asking price of £6b-£8b.

United’s sale is also said to be further down the track than Liverpool’s, with interest still remaining from Qatar Sports Investments in England’s two preeminent clubs.

Meanwhile, The Athletic claimed the Glazers putting United up for sale has ‘cast some shade over Liverpool’s prospectus’ as the Merseyside club also look for new owners. They also reported the Qataris are looking for a minority stake in a Premier League club, while investment from Saudi Arabia is looking unlikely given their ties to Newcastle United.

The Athletic added that Ratcliffe ‘will not get involved in a bidding war’ for the Red Devils, nor will be overpay for his boyhood club. It comes as reports elsewhere suggest the Glazers do not plan to settle their £515m debt which they have foisted upon the club, and will instead expect a new owner to sort the problem.