The Glazers identify who they want to sell Manchester United to

The Glazers have identified who they want to sell Manchester United to, and it might not be who the Manchester United fans would have preferred according to developing reports.

In a major development in the world of football, the Glazer family, owners of Manchester United, have reportedly made the decision to sell the historic club, while also revealing their preferred bidder.

The Glazers have been exploring financial options since November 2022, signaling their intention to relinquish control of the renowned Old Trafford club.

After a series of bidding rounds, it was revealed that the frontrunners in the race to acquire Manchester United were Sir Jim Ratcliffe, founder of INEOS, and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, a Qatar-based banker.

According to a report in The Sun, the US-based Raine Group, acting on behalf of the Glazers, is expected to confirm the “winning” bid in the coming days. The report states that Ratcliffe is set to become the preferred bidder, edging out Sheikh Jassim.

Sources suggest that if Ratcliffe’s bid is successful, Joel and Avram Glazer may retain their involvement with the club, as the INEOS boss’ offer is for a majority stake in Manchester United. Conversely, Sheikh Jassim had expressed his interest in acquiring the entire club from the Glazer family.

Despite Sheikh Jassim submitting the highest bid, Ratcliffe’s offer reportedly aligns more closely with the Glazers’ desired valuation of £6 billion for the club.

In addition to Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim, several American financial firms have also expressed their interest in purchasing a minority stake in Manchester United. This arrangement would allow the Glazers to retain control of the club while benefiting from increased financial resources to enhance Old Trafford and the club’s training facilities.

According to Sky News, Ratcliffe’s bid includes specific clauses that would enable the British billionaire to complete a full acquisition of Manchester United within three years of assuming control.

On the sporting front, Manchester United’s primary focus remains securing a place in the prestigious UEFA Champions League by finishing in the top four of the Premier League. Additionally, manager Erik ten Hag has the opportunity to claim his second trophy at the helm of the Red Devils as they prepare to face local rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final, scheduled for June.

As the sale of Manchester United approaches its final stages, football enthusiasts worldwide eagerly anticipate the outcome, which is set to shape the future of one of the most iconic clubs in the sport.