Man Utd takeover news: ‘Leading candidate’ emerges amid Erik ten Hag transfer frustration

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is still the leading candidate to buy Manchester United, according to the recent takeover reports.

Ratcliffe, the founder and majority shareholder of chemical company Ineos, is said to be ahead of Sheikh Jassim at present, claim Sky News. They add that United’s directors met on Thursday to discuss the latest regarding the sale, with the Glazers not yet opting to enter into exclusive talks with Ratcliffe or the Qatari delegation.

A resolution is unlikely to be reached before next weekend’s FA Cup final against Manchester City and Ineos’ bid supposedly values United at between £5bn and £5.5bn. In addition to the proposals from Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim, the Glazers have also received ‘four credible offers for minority stakes or financing investment in the club’.

The sticking point at this stage in the process is the Glazer’s asking price of around £6bn. Explaining the price interested parties have been quoted, Sky reported: “Part of the justification for such a valuation resides in potential future control of the club’s lucrative broadcast rights, according to bankers, alongside a belief that arguably the world’s most famous sports brand can be commercially exploited more effectively.”

Elsewhere, the Mirror claim Erik ten Hag is being ‘kept in the dark’ about United’s future ownership, and the manager has been ‘given little information about whether the Glazer family intend to follow through on an opportunity to sell’. The uncertainty is said to be having a ‘negative effect’ on the club’s ability to make summer transfer plans.