Manchester United are expected to respond to bidders vying for a takeover of the Premier League club this week.
British chemical mogul Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani both submitted official bids before the Glazers' soft deadline on Friday, February 17.. The duo are currently the frontrunners to succeed the American family, who remain split over sanctioning a full sale of their majority stake in the club which they they've held since 2005.
United's share price has plummeted nearly 13 per cent amid suggestions that the club's co-executive chairmen, Joel and Avram Glazer, are reluctant to fully cut ties with Old Trafford, unlike some of their more disillusioned family members. However, Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim are set to hear back from United hierarchy's in the coming days, as takeover talks slowly progress.
US merchant bankers Raine Group - who oversaw the £4.25billion sale of Premier League rivals Chelsea to Todd Boehly 's consortium last April - will reach out to those who've made an offer this week, the Daily Mail reports, with Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim the only confirmed parties so far.
Raine have been analysing bids and approved candidates are set to be given access to United's full financials, having been yet to explore the club's books fully after expressing their interest. It's unlikely that anyone's first offer will be accepted, with the Glazers harbouring a £6bn valuation which is seen in some quarters as unrealistic.
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Avram Glazer was at Wembley on Sunday to watch United end their six-year trophy drought, beating Newcastle 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final. His appearance, according to manager Erik ten Hag, was a sign of his commitment to the club, despite a possible sale after 18 years at the helm.
"He was really happy for the club, as our owner," Ten Hag explained post-match, with Avram having sat alongside chief executive Richard Arnold and near legendary former boss Sir Alex Ferguson during the match. "He wanted to be part of it. He was in the dressing room, good he was here, showed his intentions.
"I don't know [about the takeover], I'm not involved in that process, but the way he is here you feel he is committed. But the process, what he wants, that is not for me. I lead this team, others are involved in decisions about ownership."
By the time United next hope to be in a cup final this spring, Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim - who each claim to have supported the club since their youth - both want to be watching over Ten Hag's in-form side as the new owner. While INEOS founder Ratcliffe was in Monaco on Sunday to watch the French team which he currently owns, Nice, romp to a 3-0 win, Al Thani is said to have watched the victory over Newcastle with family at his home in Doha.
