Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has warned Manchester United risk turning into a "plaything" if their Qatari takeover is given the green light to go ahead.
It was confirmed on Friday evening, just under two hours before the 10pm 'soft deadline' set by The Raine Group, that Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani had submitted a formal offer to complete a takeover of the club. He has been joined in lodging an official bid by British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
It has been reported elsewhere that Al Thani's offer could exceed the €5billion mark, meaning United, if a deal does go through, would be the subject of the most expensive takeover in the history of sport. The Qatari, who has described himself as a lifelong United supporter, has vowed to invest in several areas of the club, meaning he has the potential to return the club to its former glories.
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However, Leicester chief Rodgers, speaking ahead of his side's visit to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, has addressed his fears about how much money could end up being thrown about by United if a takeover goes through. He is seemingly uneasy about the prospect of a deal happening and has warned it will become even more difficult for his team to compete on an even keel.
"When you go back, it used to be the richest guy in the city who owned his local club and it was a great honour for him," said Rodgers. "Those times have changed.
"It's becoming increasingly difficult. For the likes of ourselves, money can distort reality, and I think it's important the governance of the game is looked after. With that, I mean keeping the playing field as equal as we possibly can, otherwise it will become a top four or then a top six or seven.
"It's a really competitive league, it's amazing to be involved in, there are so many challenges tactically and qualitatively, but at the same time, you don't want any club to be a plaything. Football in this country means everything, it does to a lot of people around the world, but I only tell from here in Britain that it really does mean everything.
"We all are only custodians for the clubs. To look after them for the supporters. That's what I've always felt it's important. If people come in with finance, that's absolutely fine. It has to be for the right reasons, though.
"If I look at our ownership here, yes, they are a very wealthy family, but the fans are at the heart of everything they do - the experience they try to give them. I'm sure that other clubs have their stories of how they've helped their communities.
"It's challenging. When teams can go out and spend the money they can, it's inevitable that the levels between clubs will grow further apart."
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