Manchester United news – latest: Ten Hag’s side draw in Barcelona as takeover deadline nears
Is Qatar really buying Manchester United?
It was around the turn of the year that the Raine Group, who are handling the sale of Manchester United, approached Qatari state investors over whether they would be interested in purchasing the club. Sources with knowledge of the discussions say the response was initially lukewarm, in part because they thought it was a “fishing expedition” and there was doubt about how much the Glazer family owners really want to sell. This is one of the questions that clouds this week, and could yet ensure that Friday isn’t as decisive a day in the history of England’s biggest club as has been built up.
It is at least bigger than Thursday’s match against Barcelona, which is saying something about why the situation is where it is. As historically resonant as this fixture at Camp Nou is, it’s also a Europa League tie that used to be a Champions League tie, which has played its part in making the Glazers wonder over whether now is the time to sell.
There are only a few things in this whole process that can be said with certainty right now. As first reported by The Independent as far back as August, the Glazers are interested in a sale but want £5bn for the club.
Is Qatar really buying Manchester United?
Current owners the Glazer family are said to be ‘like Succession’ with their family politics amid Man Utd’s potential sale
Qatari investors reportedly set to bid for Manchester United
Qatari investors are planning to make a huge bid to buy Premier League club Manchester United, the Daily Mail newspaper reported, citing unnamed sources.
The report described the investors as “a group of private, high-wealth individuals” from Qatar, which hosted the 2022 World Cup.
United declined to comment when contacted by Reuters.
Jim Ratcliffe’s company INEOS formally entered the bidding process to buy United last month after the club’s US owners, the Glazer family, said in November they had begun looking at options including new investment or a potential sale.
Qatari investors reportedly set to bid for Man United
Qatari investors have been said to be interested in buying a Premier League
Will the Glazers remain as Man Utd shareholders?
There is a possibility that the Glazer family won’t relinquish full control of Manchester United and instead sell of most of their shares to remain as minority shareholders within the new regime.
The Athletic ran a poll of Manchester United fans and asked whether they would be okay with this outcome. 98% of the people who voted wanted the Glazers to sell the club in it’s entirety.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Oldham born and the only bidder to make his interest public, is a favourite among the fanbase with around 66% of United supporters backing his bid.
Will the Glazers actually sell Man Utd?
According to some sources with an understanding of the discussions taking place concerning the sale of Manchester United. Tonight’s deadline may be anti-climactic due to suspicion surrounding the Glazers’ intentions.
There are several people who know Joel and Avram Glazer who doubt their desire for a full takeover of the club while the other four Glazer siblings, Bryan, Kevin, Ed and Darcie, are said to want out of Man Utd entirely.
As the Glazers are in charger there is nothing to stop them from extending the deadline should the offers fail to meet their aspirations.
The Raine Group – who is overseeing the sale – were targeting a price of £6bn to £7bn ($7.2bn to $8.4bn) and there remains scepticism in the industry about that fee being achieved. A lower price of around £5bn has also been rumoured which seems like a more realistic prospect if the Glazers are willing to take it.
Should today’s proposals appeal to the family then bidders will be granted full access to Manchester United accounts so that proper due diligence can be carried out.
There is no time limit on this step, although some feel everything ought to be wrapped up before the football season is over.
Erik ten Hag warns Marcus Rashford over ‘laziness’
Erik ten Hag has warned Marcus Rashford that he must avoid “laziness” to continue his rich recent vein of form.
Rashford was again on the scoresheet as Manchester United battled to a late 2-0 victory over Leeds on Sunday before netting against Barcelona last night.
A well-taken finish to beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen as the near post was the forward’s 2nd goal of the season so far, equalling his personal best tally in a single campaign.
Ten Hag is enjoying Rashford’s recent scoring run, but has urged the player to not get complacent and keep his “focus” to ensure it continues.
Erik ten Hag warns Marcus Rashford over ‘laziness’
Rashford scored Manchester United’s opener against Leeds to continue his scoring form
Rashford on his penalty shout
25-year-old Marcus Rashford was furious not to win a penalty having been felled by Jules Kounde on the edge of the box. It was a decision for which manager Erik ten Hag was booked as he protested about the lack of VAR intervention.
“I have not watched it back, but I don’t understand why the linesman or the referee thinks I am going down there?” Rashford said after the game.
“I have touched it past him, my foot is in front of the ball and he hits my leg. It is clear contact and was 100 per cent a foul. Hopefully the second leg is going to be another good game and we can go that one step further.”
‘It felt like a loss’ – Rashford’s reaction to draw with Barcelona
Marcus Rashford continued his outstanding form when he netted against Barcelona to bring the scores level at 1-1 in the second half at the Camp Nou last night.
Both sides scored again but United were the ones to concede the late equaliser and Rashford told BT Sport: “It felt like a loss.
“We did well to get back into the game, stayed calm and composed.
“We tried to create chances when we could and we scored two quick goals, then felt in control of the outcome, but they are a top team and managed to get an equaliser.”
Ten Hag unhappy with officiating against Barcelona
Manchester United boss, Erik ten Hag, was displeased with the standard of refereeing during his team’s 2-2 draw against Barcelona and the Dutchman was very vocal from the dugouts about decisions that went against his side.
His antics earned himself a yellow card and following the match he explained why he had a problem with the officiating.
Marcus Rashford continues hot streak as Man United earn pulsating first-leg draw in Barcelona
A 2-2 of many twists, most of all in what a coruscating game represented. Manchester United’s trip to FC Barcelona is after all a famous Champions League fixture that was here an early Europa League play-off first leg, with the lessened pressure eventually bringing heightened entertainment, the Spanish league leaders not really looking like what that phrase has historically meant.
Their defence certainly looked off the level. Having conceded just seven goals in 1,890 minutes of LaLiga football this season, Barcelona suffered two in six minutes here, as United regularly looked like they could score at will – especially the effervescent Marcus Rashford.
He claimed one and set up the other, before offering a last twist in missing a fine chance on this kind of form. That in itself still would have felt a little harsh on Barca, who had enough big chances towards the end themselves. Ansu Fati was their response to Rashford, shifting the game back the other way.
Rashford continues hot streak as United earn pulsating first-leg draw in Barcelona
Barcelona 2-2 Man United: Marcos Alonso put the hosts ahead but Marcus Rashford inspired a rapid turnaround before Raphinha’s unintentional leveller
How long will the sale take?
There is no exact timeline for the sale of Manchester United. When interested parties are revealed after Friday’s soft deadline, the Glazers may well opt to extend the timeline for potential investors to come forward, hoping that a publicity battle will drive up the price buyers are willing to pay.
Should a deal be agreed upon, it would then have to receive ratification from the Premier League. Depending on the source of the money and the nature of the buyer it can vary as to how long this process would take.
PIF’s interest in Newcastle was announced in April 2020 but was not finalised until October 2021, for example.
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