The Glazers ‘to explore outright SALE of Manchester United as they look for potential sources of outside investment’, with the American family’s controversial 17-year reign possibly coming to an end
- Glazers are reportedly set to announce their intention of seeking investment
- Could open up the possibility of the club being sold outright to new owners
- Reports claimed investment bankers were being consulted to advise on process
- Could see their highly controversial 17-year reign brought to an end
Reports have emerged suggesting the Glazers are set to seek new investment in Manchester United, potentially opening the door to an outright sale and the end of their highly controversial 17-year reign at the club.
The American family took over the club in 2005 and their reign has been marred by fan protests and general disgruntlement at the way in which they have run the club.
Particular umbrage has been taken in recent years at their lack of investment in the team, stadium and training ground while taking dividends out of the club on a yearly basis.
Regular chants demanding the removal of the Glazers can be heard at Old Trafford and disgruntled supporters could be set to get their wish with Sky News reporting that their search for further investment could lead to an outright sale.
Reports state that the family are planning to imminently announce their plans to seek outside investment which could subsequently lead to a bidding war and their sale of the club.
It equally remains a distinct possibility that the club is not sold and partial investment is sought to fund the re-development of Old Trafford and Carrington, the latter of which Cristiano Ronaldo, who has seen his contract at the club terminated as a result of a controversial interview given to Piers Morgan, cited as indicative of the club’s recent decline.
It is that supposed decline, with the club having not won the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013, that has led to many supporters demanding the sale of the club by the Americans.
It has been suggested in recent months, that like Liverpool, another major footballing institution that could potentially change hands in the not-too-distant future, the Glazers could look to sell after the collapse of the planned breakaway Super League, which was foiled largely by fan protests in April last year.
In the aftermath of that, Joel Glazer made pledges to supporters to involve them in decisions taken by the club more, as well as promising a revamp of Old Trafford, which has been labelled ‘crumbling’ by a number of significant figures connected to the club.
The Glazers bought the club in 2005 for £790m, in a deal funded largely by debt, another point of contention for many connected to Manchester United. They would expect to make a significant profit on that, with Forbes valuing the club as the third most valuable in the world behind only Real Madrid and Barcelona at £3.9bn.
Were the Glazers compelled into selling the club, it would become the second major English team in a matter of months to be sold after Roman Abramovich was forced into getting rid of Chelsea to Todd Boehly earlier this year as a result of sanctions imposed on the Russian in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
More follows.
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