"The Battle for Man United: Controversial takeover splits fans"

" The Battle for Man United: Controversial takeover splits fans \r\n\r\n Opinions are divided and fans are concerned over\u00a0 the source of funding of whoever will eventually buy Manchester United.\u00a0 The controversies are coming at a time when all offers are expected on the table, ahead of the mid-February deadline set by the Glazers.\u00a0\u00a0 \r\n\r\n Manchester United owners, the Glazer family, announced in November that they were \u201ccommencing a process to explore strategic alternatives for the club\u201d. These strategic alternatives, as they outlined, included a full sale of the club.\u00a0\u00a0 \r\n\r\n The news attracted massive interest from groups all over the world with British billionaire, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, declaring an interest to take over the club. But he\u2019s not the only one showing an interest, although the others haven\u2019t made their intentions public. \r\n\r\n The Glazer family are thought to be willing to sell for \u00a35 billion but the interest in the club could drive the price up. New York-based bank Raine Group, which is managing the sale, believes the asking price is now between \u00a36-8 billion.\u00a0\u00a0 \r\n What is involved in the bidding process?\u00a0 \r\n Those who wish to buy Manchester United are expected to submit a one-paragraph-only offer, disclosing their bid, and the percentage of the club they wish to take. Proof of funds will also have to be attached. This is the first process and is expected to be concluded by next Friday, February 17th.\u00a0\u00a0 \r\n\r\n When all the bids are in, the battle will move to the next stage, which is likely to be the most intense. Here, Raine will see the offers reduced to around two or three most serious contenders.\u00a0\u00a0 \r\n\r\n They will then face off in a race to become the preferred bidder. At that stage, full access to United\u2019s financials will be granted, to allow better decision-making.\u00a0 \r\n\r\n United is valued at around \u00a36 billion, and should the bidders not meet the Glazer family\u2019s valuation of the club, the Americans could head down the investment route. But a full sale is most preferred.\u00a0 \r\n Who are the other interested parties?\u00a0\u00a0 \r\n There are likely bids from Sir Jim Ratcliffe, USA and Saudi Arabia, alongside Qatari investors.\u00a0\u00a0 \r\n\r\n In the meantime, Sir Jim Ratcliffe remains the only named suitor. Just a year ago, the Ineos CEO was said to have expressed interest to buy United.\u00a0\u00a0 \r\n\r\n Ratcliffe has acquired the services of banking giants, JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs to assist him in his bid to become the owner of one the world\u2019s biggest clubs. JP Morgan worked with the Glazers when they bought United in a \u00a3790m leveraged buyout in 2005. Ed Woodward was at JP Morgan at the time and worked on the deal.\u00a0\u00a0 \r\n\r\n There is also said to be some interest from Saudi Arabia \u2013 which is separate from the Public Investment Fund which holds an 80 per cent majority stake in Newcastle.\u00a0 \r\n<div class=\"ai-viewport-1\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-23-39127935\" data-insertion-no-dbg=\"\" data-code=\"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\" data-block=\"23\">\r\n \r\n \r\n<div class=\"ai-viewport-1\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-15-50617055\" data-insertion-no-dbg=\"\" data-code=\"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\" data-block=\"15\">\r\n \r\n \r\n The Qatar group, separate from Qatar Sports Investments QSI who own Paris Saint-Germain, are now stepping up their efforts ahead of bid submission next week. But it must be proven that both clubs would be controlled by different groups and personnel.\u00a0\u00a0 \r\n What are United fans\u2019 views on the bidders?\u00a0\u00a0 \r\n The takeover links from Qatar have intensified this week, and it has already divided the fanbase. \r\n\r\n Some supporters have suggested a walk away if it happens, while others have simply expressed displeasure over the prospects.\u00a0 \r\n\r\n United fans have since longed for new owners, following claims that the Glazers are not devoted to the club. But it is going to be bittersweet and emotionally conflicting if the sale brings the arrival of owners of the \u2018ilk of Qatar\u2019, who many think would use United as merely a vehicle for a sports washing project. \r\n\r\n A successful bid from the Qatari group would see the two Manchester clubs on opposite sides of the Qatar-Abu Dhabi rivalry. It would also see Qatari-owned United go up against Saudi-owned Newcastle. There could be a middle-eastern rivalry brewing amongst 3 of the current top 4 sides in the premier league.\u00a0 \r\n\r\n Ratcliffe\u2019s bid might be the most palatable option to large numbers of Man United supporters. He is currently the owner of Nice, and so has experience in football. He is also a lifelong United fan, and that makes his offer all the more appealing. He would have the power to make significant changes on and off the pitch if he were to be successful.\u00a0 \r\n\r\n Events of the next few months would be pivotal to the future of the club \u2013 If they\u2019re going to plunge deeper into debt and mediocrity, or get better on and off the pitch.\u00a0 \r\n\r\n For some fans, just any owner would be better than the Glazers, but for others, not just any owner is enough, but one they can be proud of.\u00a0 "

"The Battle for Man United: Controversial takeover splits fans"

MTN Nigeria Now the Most Capitalized Stock in NigeriaAMP

Nigerian Stock Market Creates Largest Pool of Billion-Dollar Stocks in 2025AMP

OPEC+ Nears Decision Point on Next Oil Output HikeAMP

Europe’s Energy Future Hinges on Global PowersAMP

US Companies Cut Investments in China to Record Lows, Here’s WhyAMP

How AI is Rewriting and Enhancing Water Risk ManagementAMP

SheFarms Broiler Edition Kicks Off in Greater AccraAMP

PharmAccess Ghana, Healthcare Federation of Ghana sign SafeCare License Agreement; to use Newest ISQua-Certified Version 5AMP

Tanzania Sink Burkina Faso to Delight Home Crowd In TotalEnergies CHAN 2024 OpenerAMP

MTN Nigeria Now the Most Capitalized Stock in NigeriaAMP

Nigerian Stock Market Creates Largest Pool of Billion-Dollar Stocks in 2025AMP

OPEC+ Nears Decision Point on Next Oil Output HikeAMP

Europe’s Energy Future Hinges on Global PowersAMP

US Companies Cut Investments in China to Record Lows, Here’s WhyAMP