Man Utd takeover latest: ex-United star talks up ‘gentleman’ Jim Ratcliffe and bidder’s ‘preference’ revealed

Erik ten Hag’s side are back in action this weekend after the first international break of 2023 as they face Newcastle United at St James Park on Sunday, April 2.

It will be the first time the two sides have met since the Red Devils beat the Magpies in the final of the Carabao Cup at Wembley earlier this year. Meanwhile, there is still plenty going on behind the scenes concerning the potential takeover of the Old Trafford side.

A second round of offers were submitted last week by bidders hoping to purchase Manchester United, with a solution expected to be reached before the summer. They include bids from Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Thomas Zilliacus, both of whom have been in the headlines with a former United star talking up the UK’s richest man and the Finnish entrepreneur apparently making clear his preference for Old Trafford should he be successful with his bid. Here are the latest Manchester United takeover news headlines on Saturday, April 1:

Former United star talks up ‘gentleman’ Jim Ratcliffe

Per a report from The Express, via the Daily Mail, former Manchester United midfielderMorgan Schneiderlin has opened up on his time at Nice - the Ligue 1 club owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The Frenchman, who spent two seasons at United from 2015 to 2017 between spells with Southampton and Everton, described the INEOS chief as a ‘gentleman’.

He said: “His brother was very involved in the club in my first season but then took a step back, vut when we saw Jim Ratcliffe, he was a gentleman. You don’t think he’s a billionaire. He is so normal, so nice and good. He came a few times to speak to us, especially last year before the final of the French Cup. It was clear he wanted the best for Nice. I know he is a Manchester United fan, so we will see what happens.”

Zilliacus ‘makes preference clear’ on future of Old Trafford

Manchester United takeover bidder Thomas Zilliacus has made clear it would be his preference to modernise Old Trafford rather than build a new stadium, reports the Manchester Evening News. The boyhood United supporter addressed redeveloping or replacing Old Trafford and apparently would not see the club moved from their historic home.

The 69-year-old, who resides in Singapore, has founded Mobile FutureWorks Group, YuuZoo and Newkia and was once head of Nokia’s corporate communications. Zillacus is proposing to buy United and sell shares back to fans, although there have been some questions raised about the validity of his bid.