Featured Image Credit: Getty & Sky Sports News
Topics: Manchester United, Football, Premier League, Sheikh Jassim
Rory O'Callaghan
Topics: Manchester United, Football, Premier League, Sheikh Jassim
Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol has issued Manchester United supporters a warning over the sale of the Premier League club.
There has been little news about the progress of the sale of United in recent weeks, with the process now into its ninth month.
Two parties are still in contention to complete a takeover of the Premier League club.
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Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is the current favourite, but faces competition from British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Sheikh Jassim is trying to buy 100 per cent of the club, while Ratcliffe is only looking to take a controlling stake which could allow the Glazers to retain an interest in United.
Both men have submitted several bids for the club but neither is willing to pay the Glazer family's £6bn asking price.
Raine, the American banking group which is handling the sale on behalf of the Glazers, is yet to confirm if a bid has been successful, with fans kept in the dark over what progress has been made.
The lack of clarity has frustrated supporters, with a sale unlikely to be completed before the start of the new season.
But there are set to be developments in the coming days, according to Sky Sports reporter Solhekol.
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"It's gone very quiet but there are expected to be developments on the sale of Manchester United after the team return from their pre-season tour of the United States next week," said Solhekol.
"United announced in November of last year that the Glazer family, who own the club, were open to bringing in new investors or even selling the club. Everybody knows the two main bidders, Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
"It has gone very quiet but there may be developments and some clarification next week. I think that would suit Erik ten Hag because he wants a resolution to this whole takeover saga. He's been working hard trying to strengthen his squad in the transfer market this summer."
Solhekol added that there is no guarantee the Glazers will sell the club this summer, even claiming that some insiders believe the Americans are planning to remain at the club.
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"I wouldn't say the takeover is going to happen this window. The Glazer family have never said they are going to sell, they just said they were looking at investment opportunities which may lead to a sale," he added.
"A lot of people involved, even people involved in the process, think this could end up with the Glazers being involved in at least some capacity. It is by no means certain that United will have new owners next season."
Solhekol's comments come on the same day United legend David Beckham called on the Glazers to sell up after 18 years in charge.
When asked if he believe the Glazers should part ways with United, Beckham told The Athletic: "I think so.
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"I think it's purely because the fans want it. Once you lose the fans, especially at a club like Manchester United, it's hard to get them back.
"Obviously, they (the Glazers) have achieved a lot, and financially, the fact we're even talking about the numbers of what Manchester United will sell for shows the success they've had.
"But there needs to be change. We've all seen that, we all know that."