Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Manchester United, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Football
Marcus Chan
A secret clause could see the Glazers sell Manchester United to Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Back in November 2022, it was confirmed that the Glazers had put the Old Trafford club up for sale.
Last month, it was reported that British billionaire and INEOS boss Sir Jim Ratcliffe had agreed a deal to buy a 25 per cent stake in United.
Prior to that deal, it was widely known that Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim was interested in a full purchase of the club but ultimately failed to agree a deal with the Glazers.
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It has been claimed that Ratcliffe and his team will handle the footballing side, with the Glazers heading up the commercial side.
The deal is set to be officially completed as soon as next month.
However, it has now been reported that Ratcliffe could be forced out of the club in 18 months.
According to The Times, documents have revealed that the Glazers have the power to sell United to another buyer.
The report also claimed that the Americans could oblige Ratcliffe to sell his 25 per cent stake in the club once an 18-month window has passed.
The document reads: “For so long as the Glazer parties are the majority holder, following the date that is 18 months after the closing date and in connection with any sale of the entire company, the Company Board may require the Trawlers party to sell all of their company ordinary shares and take such other actions as are reasonably necessary to effect the full sale.
“If the sale occurs within three years of the closing of the offer, the Trawlers parties must receive at least $33 per share, which is the same price as the offer price.”
Speaking about Ratcliffe’s investment into United, former captain Roy Keane told Sky Sports: “We’re hoping there’ll be better decision-making at the top of the club, particularly in regards to recruitment which hasn’t been good enough, the fees they’ve been paying, the contracts they’ve been handing out.
“But he’ll need some time, he’s got good people around him and he’ll need to get a feel for everything before he can start to take Man United back to the very top.”