I think this needs a thread of its own as for the first time (given the multiple media outlets reporting it), I believe after 17 years the scum are going to sell. Who will buy us, Jim Ratcliffe? Maybe, as long as we aren’t state bought I’ll be happy just to get the Glazers out. The Athletic say an official announcement is expected following instructions to banks.
Club announcement United to explore strategic alternatives Manchester United plc (NYSE:MANU), one of the most successful and historic sports clubs in the world, announces today that the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) is commencing a process to explore strategic alternatives for the club. The process is designed to enhance the club's future growth, with the ultimate goal of positioning the club to capitalize on opportunities both on the pitch and commercially. As part of this process, the Board will consider all strategic alternatives, including new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions involving the Company. This will include an assessment of several initiatives to strengthen the club, including stadium and infrastructure redevelopment, and expansion of the club’s commercial operations on a global scale, each in the context of enhancing the long-term success of the club’s men’s, women’s and academy teams, and bringing benefits to fans and other stakeholders. Executive Co-Chairmen and Directors, Avram Glazer and Joel Glazer said: “The strength of Manchester United rests on the passion and loyalty of our global community of 1.1 billion fans and followers. As we seek to continue building on the Club’s history of success, the Board has authorized a thorough evaluation of strategic alternatives. We will evaluate all options to ensure that we best serve our fans and that Manchester United maximizes the significant growth opportunities available to the Club today and in the future. Throughout this process we will remain fully focused on serving the best interests of our fans, shareholders, and various stakeholders.” The Raine Group is acting as the Company’s exclusive financial advisor and Latham & Watkins LLP is legal counsel to the Company. Rothschild and Co. is acting as exclusive financial advisor to the Glazer family shareholders. There can be no assurance that the review being undertaken will result in any transaction involving the Company. Manchester United does not intend to make further announcements regarding the review unless and until the Board has approved a specific transaction or other course of action requiring a formal announcement.
If this is happening then it's a very worrying time. If United are bought by the Saudis (or similar) I'll continue to support them but in spirit only, there's no way I could live with United becoming another anonymous cityalike plaything for a bored oil sheik and his siblings/offspring. United can live within its own means and still be successful, it doesn't need outside money to financially dope the club.
100% agree and share your views - anything but state owned please!!! Utopia is Ratcliffe +£6 billion is the selling figure which is within his powers. He’s publicly stated his interest, if the Glazers ever sold. Currently looking at buying OSC Nice which surely would be sacked off now that the Glazers want rid.
You would imagine that there are already interested parties in conversation with the Glazers, prior to this announcement.
We're going to be snowed under by the media outlets with false reports of "X is interested, Y are bidding, Z are planning" etc etc like we always are. With an announcement like this, I'd like to believe something is already in motion but it also scares me what that could be. We know the Glazers are scum, but they're not murderers (that we know of). Hopefully this goes the right way, but I don't trust the thieves one bit - they'll sell to the highest bidder.
I would imagine it’s the crippling global interest rates that have finally caught up with the Glazers. I can see the Saudis buying them and we’ll have a twice annually Oil derby..
Let's face it, there's only one supposed bidder that would be acceptable to United fans after all the years of Glazer thieving and bloodsucking. Just about every other possibility; oil states, US investment banks/consortiums/hedge funds will be as bad as the Glazer twats.
if someone like Saudis takeover, its nothing like newcastle or man city, we dont need their money to buy players, we wont need fake sponsors to spend but would be nice if they got rid of the debt that GLAZERS put us under and then spend money on the infrastructure of the club and bring in experts in football side of the club
I just hope that whoever is interested isn't looking at it only from a money making perspective and actually cares about the sporting side of things
