Man Utd takeover LIVE – Qatar bid under threat, Glazer concerns

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reviews the Fulham win

A potential takeover of Manchester United looms large as Erik ten Hag’s side are set to return to Premier League action this weekend after the international break. The Red Devils travel to Newcastle on Sunday, as the likes of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim of Qatar will hope to hear from the Glazer family and the Raine Group shortly.

Second bids were made by the likes of Jassim and Ratcliffe, while several minority offers were put to the Glazers. The current owners value United at over £5billion and there are concerns that they will not leave if that valuation is not met.

There is a chance that minority funding could be opted for, as opposed to bids from Jassim and Ratcliffe who want to purchase a majority share of the club. The Premier League did update their regulations as to who can own a football club, but Jassim is not thought to have been impacted.

The Raine Group, overseeing the sale, will aim to get back to bidders before the end of next week when in all likelihood a preferred bidder would be named, unless the Glazers do not wish to sell the club outright.

Express Sport provides all the latest Man Utd takeover LIVE updates…

Protest groups release statement

A joint statement from ‘United Againt Sportwashing’ and ‘No Saudi Toon’ reads: “While NUFC play MUFC on Sunday, groups of fans from both clubs will be united in a common cause, regardless of the result on the pitch.

“We are Newcastle United and Manchester United fans standing together to call for an end to the sale of our historic clubs to states which use them to sportswash their human rights abuses.”

Utd fans protest Qatari takeover

According to The I, Manchester United fans have formed a new campaign group to protest against the Qatari takeover of the club.

The group ‘United Against Sportswashing’ has collaborated with Newcastle protest group ‘No Saudi Toon’ in hopes of halting the change in ownership.

Fernandes under pressure

Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag may have already been told that Bruno Fernandes would not like to lose his job as one of the club’s main free-kick takers after two of his team-mates amplified pressure on him recently. The Portuguese star has come in for criticism in recent weeks for his behaviour on the pitch with several club icons questioning whether he is the right man to captain the side in Harry Maguire’s absence.

Osimhen deal on the rocks

Man Utd’s move for Victor Osimhen could be left in tatters with reports in France claiming PSG are ready to hijack their deal and offer up two players plus cash.

RMC Sport claim PSG would be willing to part with Mauro Icardi and Leandro Paredes in a bid to drive down Osimhen’s price.

The Nigerian is one of United’s main targets alongside Harry Kane but is expected to cost in the region of £100million come the summer. He is also on Chelsea’s radar and is reported to prefer a move to the Premier League, though would not rule out a return to Ligue 1 with PSG.

Ten Hag eyes another Ajax reunion

It remains to be seen who Manchester United’s first signing under their potential new owners will be, but Erik ten Hag reportedly hopes that he can bring another former Ajax star to Old Trafford.

After Donny van de Beek, Lisandro Martinez and Lisandro Martnez made the jump in recent years, Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana has also been linked with a move.

Speculation remains over David De Gea’s future at the club, while the ex-Ajax stopper has proven adept with his feet in the past and could be available in the summer.

You can read the full story HERE.

Rashford contract update

After agreeing to a new deal for Luke Shaw, Erik ten Hag has provided an update on talks regarding a contract extension for Marcus Rashford.

Any potential new owners would be intent on tying Manchester United’s star man down to a new deal, but the Dutchman joked that he cannot conjure up an agreement out of thin air.

“It’s an internal process,” Ten Hag said. “We focus on winning games, also planning for the future so in the back we’re working on that.

“It’s about agents, it’s about football director John Murtough, Rashy and I are focusing on performing.

“It’s not about just a talk, I’m not Harry Potter. It’s like a process, so there are many tools you’re putting in in your management to let people get to best form, best shape.”

Bold Thomas Zilliacus claim

Finnish entrepreneur and third public bidder Thomas Zilliacus has made a bold claim regarding the financial situation at Manchester United.

Zilliacus, who previously asked supporters to finance half of his offer to purchase the Red Devils from the Glazer family, believes a huge oversight has been made and the club could be bringing in an extraordinary amount of additional revenue.

On Twitter, he said: “The latest financial figures released by Manchester United show the club has missed one revenue source that could bring in more money than any of the current ones. If XXI Century Capital’s bid wins that will change.

“Many have asked what additional source of revenue I am talking about. I will reveal what it is if I am successful with my bid, and immediately implement it.

“To those who say I am not replying; I cannot reply to thousands of individual tweets, but I reply in my tweets to all relevant questions. I believe in open communication with the fans, unlike some others it seems.”

Upcoming priorities

Manchester United tying down Luke Shaw to a long-term contract will be well-received news by Red Devils supporters, but many questions still remain ahead of next season.

Whether Sheikh Jassim of Qatar or Sir Jim Ratcliffe will have taken over remains to be seen, or even the Glazer family remaining at the helm is still in question.

While Erik ten Hag will have to run the rule over his squad and potentially depending on the ownership situation by the summer, has some big decisions to make.

You can find out United’s next priorities in full HERE.

New contract agreed

One Manchester United player who will be at the club next season irrespective of the new owners is Luke Shaw.

The Athletic have claimed that he has agreed a new four-year contract extension until 2027.

The England full-back has been in fine form this season, having forced himself into Erik ten Hag’s plans, as the Dutchman appears keen to reward him for his performances.

Glazers sale stance explained

Manchester United’s current debt picture could be one of the key reasons why the Glazer family have now decided to consider selling the club.

United released their financial statement yesterday and it showed that their debt had risen to £535.7million, £58.6m more than the £477.1m of debt the club had a year ago, with United’s revenues also taking a 10 per cent hit over the same period.

Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol explained how those financials may have persuaded the Glazers to sell now. “If you dig into the accounts, you will see that Manchester United’s debt is up, to £535m,” he said.

“Now, they say that is largely due to the weak pound, but you have to remember that the reason Manchester United have a debt of £535m now is because when the Glazer family bought the club 18 years ago, they bought the club in a leveraged buyout and they loaded £550m of debt onto the club.

“And 18 years later, it still stands at £535m. United were a debt-free club before the Glazers arrived.

“Just looking into these figures gives you an idea of perhaps why the Glazer family think now is the right time to sell Manchester United, especially if they can get the £6billion that they want for the club.”

Casemiro rejects Glazers claim

Cristiano Ronaldo explosively gave his opinion on the Glazers’ investments in infrastructure at Manchester United.

During his interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo claimed that the club had barely advanced since he first left for Real Madrid in 2009.

Ex-United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin recently backed up those complaints, but Casemiro holds a different view.

The Brazilian only moved to Old Trafford last summer but has made a big impact, though he does not feel the same way as both Ronaldo and Schneiderlin regarding the Glazers’ investments behind-the-scenes.

You can read the full story HERE.

Ten Hag told to sell 12

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has been told to sell 12 of his stars this summer, as a huge amount of funds could be raised ahead of a potential takeover.

Jadon Sancho and Antony are two big-name examples of those ex-United defender Paul Parker believes should be moved on.

If the Glazer family turn down advances from Sheikh Jassim of Qatar and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, United may not get the cash injection their supporters would have been hoping for and many have to rely on sales in order to bring new players in this summer.

You can read the full story HERE.

Decision on double sale

Manchester United may have to sell to buy in the summer transfer window, depending on the outcome of their potential takeover.

Both Victor Lindelof and Scott McTominay have recently been linked with exits from Old Trafford, as funds could be raised for some big-money arrivals under possibly Sheikh Jassim or Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

However, Fabrizio Romano has claimed that any decision on those two will be made at the end of the season by Erik ten Hag, as opposed to now with the season ongoing.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe insight

Former Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has lifted the lid on what it is like to play for a club owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

The Frenchman has spent over two years at Nice – the Ligue 1 side owned by the INEOS chief – as he explained the relationship the team had with the club’s owner.

Ratcliffe alongside Sheikh Jassim of Qatar are thought to be the two frontrunners in the potential sale of United, though there is a chance that the Glazers opt against both and remain at the helm.

You can read the article in full HERE.

Glazers warned over valuation

The Glazer family have been told that their valuation of Manchester United is not accurate, as there is a chance that the second round of bids do not reach their estimation of over £5billion.

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire explained to the Daily Mail that a valuation of £4bn should see the Glazers “crossing their fingers” as he discredited claims that the club is worth as much as £6bn.

“You look at how much cash the business is likely to make in the next 10 years and then you add a couple of magic numbers,” Maguire said.

“I did that with United and, being generous with the predictions, came up with £2.8bn. The only way it would be worth near £6bn would be if you could take control of broadcast rights and sell them yourself. As we saw with Project Big Picture that is not going to happen, so the numbers simply don’t stack up.”

Old Trafford plans

Those in charge at Manchester United have reportedly explored plans to redevelop Old Trafford amid their ongoing potential takeover.

The Manchester Evening News have claimed that the Glazers are in favour of undergoing significant work to the current stadium, as opposed to building a new ground should they remain in charge.

A redevelopment rather than a new stadium would take significantly more time to complete, while the two options are said to cost approximately the same figure.

Debt worry

Manchester United released their financial statement yesterday and it showed that their debt had risen to £535.7million.

That is £58.6m more than the £477.1m of debt the club had a year ago, with United’s revenues also taking a 10 per cent hit over the same period.

The figures will worry potential owners, though Sheikh Jassim has pledged to clear all the club’s debt. However, the chance of the Glazers’ valuation may have taken a hit over the club’s increasingly precarious finances.

Qatar boost

The Premier League yesterday announced that they would be tightening their rules and regulations on incoming owners.

The league have beefed up their rules in an attempt to ban human rights abusers, violent criminals and those involved with corruption.

Qatar have come under criticism, especially during their hosting of the World Cup, for human rights issues and their criminalisation of same-sex relationships.

However, the BBC have reported that Jassim will not be affected as he is a private individual, meaning there will not be any worries should he be chosen to purchase Manchester United.

Good morning

Good morning and welcome to Express Sport’s live Manchester United takeover blog, where you can find all the latest news and updates regarding the Red Devils’ potential sale.

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