Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hit out at the Glazer family for "neglecting" Old Trafford and Manchester United's Carrington training base.
The Glazers have been in power at United since completing a leveraged buyout back in 2005, but there is a growing optimism amongst the fanbase that the unpopular Americans could finally be on their way out. The club was effectively put on the market back in November and a taxing takeover process is now drawing to a close.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is now believed to be in pole position to acquire the club, however, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is also said to be weighing up a dramatic last-gasp proposal in a bid to pip his rival to a deal.
Whoever is in charge at Manchester United once the process concludes has plenty to be getting on with. Erik ten Hag will expect to be backed in the transfer market and the clamour for the club's Old Trafford stadium to be renovated is growing.
Solskjaer was at the helm for almost three years before leaving the club back in November 2021. Throughout his tenure, the popular Norwegian was diplomatic towards the club's maligned owners, but Solskjaer made his feelings clear this week when he returned to Manchester for 'An evening with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer'.
Speaking in midweek of the takeover, he said: “It needs to be done. Old Trafford is neglected. The training ground has been neglected. We need to catch up with the other teams.”
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Solskjaer's verdict on the lack of investment United have made in their infrastructure tallies with the brutal comments Cristiano Ronaldo made briefly before his bitter Old Trafford exit was confirmed back in November.
The 38-year-old participated in a damning television interview with Piers Morgan and took aim at a variety of people, including Ten Hag and the Glazers.
And one of the comments that left a lasting impression on United fans was Ronaldo's bewilderment over how the club had stood still since his initial departure back in 2009.
“Nothing changed [since I left],” Ronaldo told TalkTV back in November. “The pool, the jacuzzi, even the gym, even some technology. Even the chefs who I appreciate, lovely people. I thought I would see new technology, infrastructure. I saw things I saw when I was 20, 21, 23.”
City AM outlined earlier this month that Sheikh Jassim's third and final proposal for the club, which stands at around £5bn, includes an additional £800m which would be used to give both Carrington and Old Trafford a much needed revamp.
It remains to be seen, however, if Ratcliffe has any specific plans for Old Trafford or the club's other facilities. It is expected that a preferred bidder will be announced imminently.
