"Post" Manchester United reporter Chris Wheeler talked about the possible sale of Manchester United when answering fans' questions. Recently, Turki Alsheikh, director of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, said that the Manchest...
"Post" Manchester United reporter Chris Wheeler talked about the possible sale of Manchester United when answering fans' questions.
Recently, Turki Alsheikh, director of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, said that the Manchester United acquisition has entered an advanced stage and hinted that the acquirer is from the United Arab Emirates. The news undoubtedly attracted a lot of attention from the outside world, and rumors have been flying since then, with Manchester United fans speculating whether the Emirates consortium is in talks with the Glazer family for a full takeover.
At the same time, the "forced sale" clause that Ratcliffe obtained when acquiring a minority stake in Manchester United also attracted attention. The clause came into effect on August 13, meaning the Glazer family can sell the club over Ratcliffe's objections if other investors offer more than the $33 per share Ratcliffe will pay in February 2024.
Although Ratcliffe also has the right to bid for the club, whether he will participate or withdraw largely depends on the size of his opponent's bid. He has never concealed that his petrochemical business is facing considerable financial pressure. Even if he is willing, it is still unknown whether he can match the bid.
According to Manchester United's current valuation, the club is valued at approximately US$2.8 billion, and the price of US$33 per share will push the acquisition price to approximately US$5.7 billion, which is the lowest price for acquiring Manchester United before February 2027. However, it is understood that the Glazer family is asking for more than $6.6 billion (£5 billion) and will only consider selling outright if an offer exceeds this figure. Previously, the highest bid from a consortium led by Qatari Sheikh Jassim reached $6.06 billion (£4.57 billion).
The Glazer family may also hope that next year's World Cup in North America will further stimulate people's interest in football and increase the possibility of an American bid, but they may not want to wait too long. Manchester United fans know that the Glazer family will not be forced to do anything they are not willing to do, especially now that Ratcliffe is undertaking most of the operational work for them, and they continue to enjoy financial rewards.
Therefore, the wisest choice is for the Glazer family to wait patiently for the successor to match their valuation. They know that the value of Manchester United is still strong and will only get stronger. At the same time, Ratcliffe is also responsible for upgrading the Carrington base and promoting the construction of a new super stadium worth 2 billion pounds.
