The Glazers Take A Page From Liverpool’s Owners

Are the Glazers playing a long con with Manchester United?

That seems to be the case as it is reported the Manchester United owners are holding off a sale of the club as they are set on a fixed price.

The potential takeover of Manchester United looks set to be delayed until May as the Glazer family are reportedly holding out for a £6 billion ($7.2bn) offer. The Guardian reports that the two bids received by United on 17 February, from Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, were valued at a maximum of £4.5bn ($5.4bn).

The indecision among the six Glazer siblings over the eventual sale has put paid to the family’s desire to have any takeover completed by the end of March, with an end-of-season sale now the most likely outcome.

The Glazers are said to have their own views on an exit strategy, leading to indecision over the nature of the eventual sale. However, it is reported that a bid closer to £6bn would satisfy all Glazers, who may even accept an offer placed somewhere between that and the £4.5bn bids already lodged.

The news is the latest stumbling block in the takeover process, which has been beset with issues since the announcement of the bids almost two weeks ago.

Last week, interest from American hedge fund Elliott Management in investing into the club as against buying it over, puts the Glazers’ departure into serious doubt. This is a case all too similar with Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group.

FSG played the long con by speaking from both sides of the coin till John Henry ultimately came out to deny any interests in selling the club afterwards.

This was an unpopular option for all associated with United, reflected in the significant drop in the club’s share prices the following day.

This delay in the takeover process will be watched closely by fans of the club, who are hoping for a swift resolution to the ongoing ownership issues at Old Trafford. The Glazers have been unpopular with supporters since their takeover of the club in 2005, with many calling for a change in ownership in recent years. It remains to be seen whether a £6bn offer will be forthcoming, and whether this will be enough to satisfy the Glazers and secure the future of Manchester United.