The Glazer family are reportedly at odds with one another over whether they should sell Premier League club Manchester United.
It's believed the Glazers are considering selling United amid growing anger and resentment from fans. The American family have been unpopular figures at Old Trafford since Malcolm Glazer, who died in 2014, bought shares in the club in September 2003.
United fans are expected to hold a huge protest against the Glazers' ownership of the club ahead of their Premier League game against bitter rivals Liverpool on Monday evening. A similar protest was held in May 2021, when supporters stormed into Old Trafford.
The Glazers have been criticised for using loans to purchase shares in the club, loading nearly £500million worth of debt on to the club. Although they've invested heavily in the playing squad, United's owners haven't pumped money into other aspects of the club.
One area in desperate need of investment is Old Trafford, with the 75,000-seater stadium looking outdated with a leaky roof and noticeable rust problem. The Glazers have also been slammed for taking millions of pounds out of the club in dividends.
And supporters are not happy with the club's football structure. They've adopted a scattergun transfer strategy since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in May 2013 - scrambling for signings again this summer - and have struggled to appoint the right manager.
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Although most United fans would like to see the back of the Glazers, the family are unsure whether to sell the club. That's according to The Athletic, with the six siblings who inherited the controlling share of United from Malcolm Glazer at odds with one another.
Joel Glazer is said to be the most wedded to the club - speaking to three fans forum meetings via Zoom since the aforementioned protest in May 2021 - and is viewed as a crucial figure in the selling process who still needs to be persuaded to walk away.
Avram Glazer is also heavily involved with United - although he rarely attends games - while the other six members of the Glazer family - Ed, Kevin, Bryan and sister Darcie - have taken a back seat. It's believed they were at odds over some sales of shares last year.
Between them, Avram, Kevin and Ed sold more than £200m worth of shares in 2021. It's claimed the six siblings were not on the same page with these sales as it diluted the club's share price on the stock market.
Should the Glazers decide to sell, their departure could be long and painful. Similar sales of shares could be made until their controlling share is no more. Plenty of parties are believed to interested in the sale of United, which is expected to be worth billions of pounds.
One such interested party is Sir Jim Ratcliffe, also known as Britain's richest man. "If the club is for sale, Jim is definitely a potential buyer," revealed a spokesperson for Ratcliffe. "If something like this was possible, we would be interested in talking with a view to long-term ownership."
