Journalist gives timeframe for completion of Manchester United sale if offer accepted by Glazers

Journalist Ben Jacobs has given an update on how long it would take for a sale of Manchester United to be finalised if the Glazers accept an offer.

The takeover process has been ongoing since November, with no signs of an impending conclusion.

That is despite bids submitted from Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim (through his Nine Two Foundation), British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe and several other parties.

There are three proposals on offer from the various bidders. Sheikh Jassim wants a full takeover of the club, while Ratcliffe wants to acquire the shares owned by the Glazer family. There are also minority investment offers on the table.

With the transfer window now already open, United will enter the 2023/24 Premier League season with the Glazers in charge.

They have already committed to a combined spend of £100 million on Mason Mount and Andre Onana, and are now looking to sign Atalanta wonderkid Rasmus Hojlund.

Now, according to Jacobs, even if a sale announcement was made imminently, it appears extremely likely that any transfer business done this summer will be sanctioned by the Glazers.

Journalist gives Man Utd sale update

Speaking to The United Stand, Jacobs gave an update on how long a takeover would take to be ratified with the Premier League.

He explained: "If the Glazers decide to announce [the takeover] when something is picked or agreed, in other words before the completion process starts, then optimistically six weeks, pessimistically 12 weeks.

"The actual completion process for both groups is different. Ratcliffe will be quicker than Jassim, because Jassim has to de-list the public shares and take 100 per cent of the club.

"It's not a similar path for both, but there is overlap with certain things.

"I think 12 weeks would be the maximum, and the minimum could be a little bit shorter than that. But it all depends on when they announce it [the takeover].

"I think that we're going to first get a winner, and then it will be minimum six weeks, maximum 12 weeks. That effectively means we will be well into the season until United potentially have a new owner."