Man Utd takeover: Glazers split on sale with current bids not meeting £6bn valuation | Football News

Avram Glazer’s presence at Wembley as Manchester United lifted their first trophy of the Erik ten Hag era has “sparked fears that the club will not be sold immediately,” Sky Sports News have been told.

Sources who have worked with the owner show the co-chairman of the executive and his brother Joel reluctant to give up United, in contrast to his brothers Kevin, Edward, Bryan and Darcie – a position hardened by “underwhelming indicative offers”.

The Glazers expect more interest to register with The Raine Group by the February 17 deadline for proposals. Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe were the only public bidders, and the tender fell short of the targeted £6 billion.

Official offers should increase to tempt the Glazers into an outright sale. The feeling is that United’s stature, its global appeal, especially in emerging markets, and its potential for future revenue growth have been underestimated. This even factors in the club’s £656m net debt, transfer fees and huge costs to improve infrastructure.

Avram Glazer, who was in the company of Sir Alex Ferguson as he waited six years for the cup to end in the final victory of the Carabao Cup against Newcastle, had previously said the process to explore strategic alternatives “should not be a sale.”

The club’s statement on the matter ended with the kicker that “there is no guarantee that the review carried out will result in any transaction involving the company”.

In October, Ratcliffe announced the Glazers “didn’t want to sell”.

Sources say that the market has slightly misread after the scale of interest when Chelsea are available to buy in contrasting conditions.

This is also seen in John W Henry’s announcement that Fenway Sports Group will take control of Liverpool and that is the only investment that is currently being considered.

United fans made a clear stand even amid the jubilation of Sunday’s win. “We want the Glazers out” was the most consistent chant at Wembley.

When asked about Avram’s presence in the final, Ten Hag said: “He really likes the club, as our owner. He wants to be part of it. He is in the dressing room, it is good that he is here. His intention.”

What that means, he added: “I don’t know, I’m not involved in the process but the way he’s here, you feel the commitment. What he wants, it’s not for me. [to say]. I have to lead this team. Others at the club are involved in decisions about ownership.

Glazers ‘misread the market’ over Man Utd sale

Sky Sports News senior reporter Melissa Reddy:

“They expect greater uptake [for the sale of Man Utd] – we know there have only been two public bidders, neither of which is close to the £6bn valuation the Glazers want.

“They feel that the club when they look at the potential for commercial growth, how they factor in emerging markets and just this huge sporting asset.

“It doesn’t matter how much the club owes, it doesn’t matter how much the infrastructure costs, it doesn’t matter how much the transfer fees are. The Glazers believe you have to burn your chest to have Man Utd and if you take it from them, you have to put the money back.

“At the moment, it seems that he is not willing to part with the club, especially if it is not close to his price.

“I think they misread the market. The owners of Liverpool, FSG, have the same thing. They see Chelsea, who are selling very differently, there are sanctions imposed and it should be a quick sale.

“The scale of interest told the owners of Man Utd and Liverpool that there would be greater interest because they are two bigger clubs, but this did not happen. Man Utd took over.”

Why is there more interest in Chelsea than Man Utd?

Sports lawyer Ben Peppi on Sky Sports News:

“I think there are a number of reasons. Chelsea is selling faster and has to sell faster because of what happened at the time with Russia and Ukraine and the sanctions that were put on Mr. Abramovich.

“Just because there is an amount of interest that has been announced, it does not mean that all of them are potential bidders who can then acquire the club.

“I think there were 100 parties who registered their interest in buying Chelsea and in fact when they signed the non-disclosure agreement and I think it was close to 10.

“At Man Utd, there are several factors at play. As I said, the understanding that this will be the most expensive sale of a sports franchise to date, means that this can only be done with a certain amount. from the ownership group.

“It’s not just the value of the club, it’s the cost involved. United are in a very different position to Liverpool and more akin to selling Chelsea, where there will be a price for the club and the significant infrastructure commitment required.

“We’re talking about £2bn. It’s the redevelopment of the stadium, the training ground, the debt relief and the infrastructure commitment for the playing squad.

“We are talking about a large amount of money here and it is based on the group of ownership that already exists in sports institutions around the world – which limits them out of the equation because we know the rules about ownership that have shares in different clubs that compete. Europe.

“The reality is that there is not much left and when you go into banks and institutions, while the sporting element is important, the important thing is finance. Do you believe Man Utd is worth it? Debatable.”

Analysis: Is this really a good time to sell Man Utd?

Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:

“The Glazers have never come out and said they want to sell the club, they are very smart about what they say.

“In November they said they were exploring alternative strategies which could lead to a sale. But you could make the argument that Man Utd are playing well now, winning the cup again, is this a good time to sell?

“Maybe the smartest thing is to hold the club, but sell only a small share, and use the money to invest in developing the stadium and the training ground.”

Ten Hag on Glazer after Wembley win: ‘He wants to be a part of it’

Ten Hag spoke after the Carabao Cup final where Avram Glazer attended Wembley to show his commitment to the club.

Ten Hag said: “He [Avram Glazer] very happy for the club, as our owner. He wanted to be a part of it.

“He’s in the dressing room, it’s good he’s here, showing his intentions.

“I don’t know [anything about a potential sale of the club], I did not participate in that process, but the way here you feel that he is committed. But the process, what you want, it’s not for me.

“I lead this team, others participate in decisions about ownership.”