Man Utd takeover news: US hedge fund ‘propose’ alternative as Erik ten Hag explains ‘focus’

Manchester United’s owners have had two confirmed bids to buy the club, with Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the chairman of Qatari bank QIB, and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, via his company Ineos, making offers for the Red Devils.

It’s also been reported that US hedge fund Elliott Investment Management are willing to provide financing for the club but are not bidding to buy United. The Athletic claim Elliot ‘have put forward a proposal for possible financing to the Glazer family, in the event that they do not sell the club, and to Raine, for a bidder’.

The Athletic also report Ratcliffe sees the improvement of Old Trafford and the club’s training ground as ‘essential’, while the whole process is expected to be wrapped up before the start of the summer transfer window.

As for the Qatari offer, the Daily Mail state that Sheikh Jassim’s spokespeople ‘insist he will buy the club with cash, clear all debt, and invest heavily in all areas of the club’, while they report the Qatar-based bit is the ‘clear favourite’ to suceed the Glazers.

Meanwhile, the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust also penned an open letter to potential buyers outlining a number of ‘principles’ they would like any new owners to comply with.

“We understand very well why you wish to buy the Club. We believe Manchester United is the greatest sporting institution in the world and hope we will have a new owner that will nurture, invest and, most of all, recognise that their role as the steward of Manchester United is to run the club in partnership with the supporters, in a way which recognises that a football club is far more than just a commercial asset,” said the statement.

Erik ten Hag was also asked if he has concerns about the bidding process and if it could distract from the club’s on-field priorities ahead of huge cup games against Barcelona and Newcastle United this week.

“We are committed with this club, it is our club, in our heart, but it is not our job. We focus on football and performance from our team and that is what the players and staff have to do,” said the United boss after Sunday’s win over Leicester City.