Real reason Manchester United take over is stalling

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has revealed that a significant hurdle has arisen, causing delays in Sheikh Jassim’s attempt to takeover the club.

The prolonged takeover process, which has been ongoing for over seven months, features Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim, through his Nine Two Foundation, and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe among the contenders vying for ownership.

Recent speculation has surrounded Ratcliffe’s bid, with financial expert David Hellier from Bloomberg claiming that the British billionaire’s offer is ‘dead in the water.’

Conversely, reports from the same outlet indicated that Sheikh Jassim’s camp was ‘confident’ of securing a successful takeover bid. Journalist Ben Jacobs has since stated that Ratcliffe and his petrochemicals company, INEOS, are still actively involved in the race to acquire Manchester United.

Rio Ferdinand, speaking on his YouTube podcast, ‘Vibe with FIVE,’ shed light on the reasons behind the delays in Sheikh Jassim’s efforts. Citing a reliable source at Manchester United, Ferdinand stated,

“Things were running quite smoothly and it was going down the right path, but then obviously [it hit a bump]. I think the big issue is when you’re dealing with a group of people rather than an individual, it makes things very complex and difficult at times. You’re not dealing with one individual with the Glazers – I think Sir Jim Ratcliffe came out and said it.”

Ferdinand’s comments suggest that the involvement of multiple parties in the takeover negotiations has added layers of complexity to the process, potentially causing delays and complications. The current ownership structure at Manchester United involves the Glazer family, who are not a singular entity but a collective group.

While discussing the potential timeline of the takeover, Ferdinand hinted at imminent news. When asked by co-host Joel Beya about any updates on the process, Ferdinand responded,

“I was talking to [David] Ornstein, man. He’s got good knowledge as well. But we’ve got good sources, yeah. Stay tuned on this.”

The Manchester United faithful and football enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await further developments regarding the club’s takeover.

The outcome of this protracted battle for ownership will shape the future trajectory of one of the most storied football institutions globally, with potential implications for the team’s structure, financial stability, and long-term aspirations.