The Art of the Deal
In the heart of England’s football folklore, a tale is unfolding. Manchester United, a name synonymous with footballing prestige, remains ensnared in a takeover plot as the Glazers apparently decide to backtrack on the sale. The Glazers’ anticipated price tag? A cool £10 billion.
Now, sources deeply entrenched with the American family have confided that the footballing giants might be removed from the selling block altogether. This shift in strategy hints at a deeper narrative, one steeped in business acumen and a pulse on the shifting sands of football’s commercial landscape.
A Deal or No Deal Situation
Last November’s buzz spoke of the Glazers’ willingness to entertain offers, be it for the entire club or just a fraction. But the dance of acquisition saw only two partners extending a hand: Sheikh Jassim of Qatar and Sir Jim Ratcliffe. While the former was in for the full house, the latter’s proposition was more about sharing, leaving the Glazers with a residual interest.
Both parties, however, found themselves ensnared in the cobweb of negotiation and lack of clarity. It’s almost cinematic: Sheikh Jassim attempting to sidestep intermediaries and dealing directly, and rumours floating about the imminent acceptance of the Qatari bid. Yet, in this screenplay, the scene doesn’t change.
Decoding the Glazers’ Playbook
The story offers a rationale behind the Glazers’ decision. Their eyes, it seems, are set on 2025. With environmental and fiscal scenarios evolving, they believe a better opportunity lies ahead. The Glazers are banking on enhanced TV rights revenues, FIFA’s Club World Cup scaling up to 32 teams, and the 2026 World Cup being hosted in the US. This trifecta, they anticipate, could inflate their club’s valuation, making their £7-£10bn aspiration plausible.
And while the supporters fervently orchestrated a sit-in at Old Trafford, urging a change in leadership, the Glazers appear undeterred. Their faith seems placed on Erik ten Hag, the club’s manager. They believe that if he can usher in a couple of major trophies in the upcoming seasons, it might just sweeten the pot.
The Fans’ Perspective
Let’s not sidestep the palpable tension. There’s a frosty atmosphere between the fans and the club’s ownership. Many a Red Devil blames the Glazers for what they see as recent stagnations both on and off the pitch. Yet, as a source close to the family put it, the Glazers are thick-skinned. Their original vision of luring multiple significant bidders didn’t play out, but they remain unfazed.
In football, as in life, timing is everything. Whether it’s a striker waiting for that perfect cross or an owner awaiting the opportune moment for a sale, the game revolves around seizing the right moment.
According to the Daily Mail, the next couple of years promise to be fascinating, as the footballing community keenly observes Manchester United’s moves, both in the boardroom and on the pitch.
They’re fooling themselves if they think they will get more for United. Ten Hag cannot keep working miracles without proper backing and United are broke. The Glazers cant fix United
This was always going to happen.Peoples views won’t change towards these regimes and their disgraceful cultures and beliefs.And let’s face it they were after the big buck buyers to pump oil money into them,so the fact that sir Jim was in the race was laughable.But it didn’t take a genius to work out that powers that be would find out where Al Thanis finance sources would come from,his relationship with the Qatar royal family,his dodgy contracts trying to set up the Bank of England ,of all institutions?Theyre lower than a snakes belly and will go via any avenue to try and clean off their dirty ill gotten gains …