Man Utd takeover: Glazers ‘open-minded’, meeting invitations and fall-back option

Manchester United continue to be linked with a takeover as the Glazers discuss terms with potential investors.

On the pitch, Erik ten Hag has made significant progress at Old Trafford, with United currently on course for a return to the Champions League, but off the pitch, there is plenty of uncertainty. The Glazers announced they were welcoming fresh investment earlier this year, and meetings have been going on since then.

Still, nothing has been confirmed up until now, and here we have rounded up all the latest news on the situation.

‘Open-minded’ approach

The one thing that is not clear in regards to the potential United takeover is whether the Glazers actually want a full takeover.

But according to a fresh report from The Telegraph, the Glazers remain ‘open-minded’ about possible investment, meaning they could yet welcome a full takeover or indeed partial investment. The good news to be taken from that, is that United fans can still hope for a full takeover, given the majority of them are not fans of the current ownership group.

Now Red Devils fans need to hope an investor can agree such a takeover with the Glazers.

Takeover meetings

According to The Sun, United will invite potential investors in for further talks in the coming days.

It’s claimed Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos have been left ‘in the dark’ over their potential investment following bids worth £5billion or more last month. But the report adds the Glazers are now set to meet bidders to see just how serious the bidders are about completing a takeover.

It seems both parties will now get a chance to make their pitch to the ultimate decision-makers.

The Alternative

If The Glazers can’t be convinced by a full takeover, they have the option of selling a small portion of equity for Elliott Management.

The US hedge fund are said to be offering a significant chunk of cash for a ‘small amount of common equity’. As far as United fans are concerned, that would not be an ideal option, but it still might be for the Glazers. It is, at very least, a fall-back option as they look to bring in investment in some form.

Much will surely depend on the pitches made by Al-Thani and Ratcliffe, whether they do it themselves or have representatives to make their case on their behalf.