A number of powerful business people raised their hand after the Glazers asked if anyone would be interested in buying Manchester United this week.
On Tuesday, the owners explained how the board was “exploring strategic options” in regards to a sale with Avram Glazer adding a day later: “We're going to look at all different strategic alternatives and we'll see where that leads us.”
The Manchester Evening News revealed that both Zara founder Amancio Ortega and former Goldman Sachs boss Lord Jim O'Neill have registered an interest in a purchase. Elsewhere, there are rumours that David Beckham could back a potential bidder if he is convinced by their vision for the club.
READ MORE: What is Sir Jim Ratcliffe's net worth?
Meanwhile, reports have claimed that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is back at the table and is set to make a bid, albeit is keen not to overpay for the club he supports, which the Glazers supposedly value at £5bn.
Sir Jim registered an interest in the Reds in August before seemingly pouring cold water over the prospect at a Financial Times conference last month, insisting that the current owners “do not want to sell”.
But it’s clear who United fans are throwing their weight behind in the gala, which admittedly might not have a winner if the Glazers don’t like the options before them. It’s not hard to see why Sir Jim is a popular candidate.
The Ineos CEO would be a rare commodity in the football landscape if he was to become the new owner, in that he would support the club he operates. This already puts him on a better footing than that the Glazers had when they arrived in 2005 after a £780m purchase.
The Americans indeed had experience of running a big sporting franchise in NFL outfit Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But they have found that this is not the same as running a globally-acclaimed football club in the European market.
Ineos have vested interests in sport as well, having their hand in Formula One and cycling, so Sir Jim has experience in the industry, too. But the crucial difference - which again gives him an advantage that the Glazers never had - is that he has operated on the elite European football stage already.
In 2019, Ineos bought French outfit OGC Nice. Upon his arrival he underlined how it was just as important to run the club successfully off the pitch as well as on it - which will be music to the ears of United fans after the last decade’s trials.
He’s gradually improved the fortunes of the club, which is no surprise given his company’s meticulous choosiness when enacting takeovers - in that it only does so when it can see a return on investment within three years.
Reports, though, suggest United would be the exception to the rule and it’d have to be given the debts owed and revamp requirements needed. And, of course, United is a very different beast to OGC Nice.
But the fact is, billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe would not go into United blind, and he would have the club’s best interests at heart due to his love for it - both of which put him in neater starting blocks than the Glazers ever had.
READ NEXT:
