The Glazers finally accepts £3.75billion price as 11.8 billionaire ready to take over

Manchester United has been valued at a minimum of £3.75 billion by the Glazer family, who are under increasing pressure to sell the club. Several fan protests have occurred since the start of the current season, as supporters join Gary Neville in pleading with the American family to hand over the keys to Old Trafford, having purchased the club for £790 million in 2005, loading it with debt through a leveraged buyout. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Britain’s richest man, and a boyhood fan, recently made headlines by declaring interest in purchasing his beloved team, and now Dubai moguls are reportedly considering a bid.

It was widely rumored that the Glazers were considering selling small ownership in the club, but now a price tag for a full acquisition has emerged for the much-maligned Glazers to part ways with their prized assets after 17 turbulent years. According to the Daily Mail, roughly £3.75 billion would be enough, though it may take up to £5 billion. That sum would be difficult for most potential owners to come up with, but it is well within the range of a sovereign wealth fund, with Dubai set to join the Premier League party. The Emirati state has yet to join the Premier League, unlike its neighbors Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia, which have Manchester City and Newcastle in their portfolios, but United may tempt them. According to the Daily Mail, roughly £3.75 billion would suffice, while it may take as much as £5 billion. That sum would be difficult for most potential owners to come up with, but it is comfortably within the range of a sovereign wealth fund, with Dubai expected to join the Premier League party. The Emirati state has yet to join the Premier League, unlike its neighbors Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia, which have Manchester City and Newcastle in their portfolios, respectively, but United may tempt them.

Ratcliffe, who owns INEOS and French club Nice, expressed his interest in the Red Devils more than three weeks ago. “If the club is for sale, Jim is absolutely interested,” a spokeswoman for the Lancashire-born chemical tycoon told the Times. Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) responded to Ratcliffe’s interest by saying in a statement of their own: “Speculation is mounting about a potential change of ownership or new investors at Manchester United.” Whilst supporters have called for change, of course, this has to be the right change. “Any prospective new owner or investor has to be committed to the culture, ethos, and best traditions of the club. They have to be willing to invest to restore United to former glories, and that investment must be real new money spent on the playing side and the stadium. “Finally, any new ownership structure must embed supporters, including a degree of fan share ownership, in their operating model. These are the criteria supporters will judge any bid on. We are open to dialogue with any bidder, and look forward to any such discussions.”

According to the Daily Mail, roughly £3.75 billion would be sufficient, though it might take up to £5 billion. Most possible purchasers would struggle to come up with that sum, but it is well within the range of a sovereign wealth fund, with Dubai poised to join the Premier League party. The Emirati state has yet to join the Premier League, unlike its neighbors Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia, which own Manchester City and Newcastle, respectively, but United may persuade them. Ratcliffe, who owns INEOS and French club Nice, expressed an interest in the Red Devils more than three weeks ago. “If the club is for sale, Jim is absolutely interested,” a spokeswoman for the Lancashire-born chemical mogul told the Times.