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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Jack Flintham

Manchester United takeover 'circus' must end believes former Reds defender

Former Manchester United captain Patrice Evra has called on the Glazers to decide on their preferred takeover bidder before the start of the 2023/24 season.

United's owners announced in November 2022 they were seeking further investment in the club. At the time, this meant no options were off the table - including a full sale.

Since then, the takeover process has become a prolonged affair. Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Ineos owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe are the two frontrunners to complete a purchase of the Reds.

Reports this month suggested Sheikh Jassim was in the driving seat but his camp dismissed that as 'pure speculation'. With United no closer to being sold, Evra told The Times he is beginning to lose patience with the board.

ALSO READ: United supporters' group planning Glazers protest

"We talk about this deal for how many months now? Since November," the Frenchman said. "I think it is important for the fans, for the players and of course for Erik ten Hag. He is the right man [to be manager].

"We don’t know who is going to be the new owner. We are already 20 miles back from Manchester City. Now, the question is: Can we stop this circus and find a solution and [have] the owner come as soon as possible? We need to find it now, before the season starts. When the season starts, it is already too late.

"Do we know which player is going to come? Do we know which player is going to leave? It is unfair for Erik ten Hag. It brings negative energy around the club.

"The club were already protesting against the Glazers when I signed in 2006, but we hid it because we were winning. I remember the green and yellow shirt and scarf were already at the stadium and I asked Gary Neville what was going on.

"He told me the fans were not happy with the owners. That was 17 years ago. We are talking about the same thing. We need to put an end to it if we want Man United to be back to where they belong."

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