Former Manchester United board member Michael Knighton preparing ‘hostile bid’ to buy club

Former Manchester United board member, Michael Knighton has declared that he preparing a bid to buy the club. 

On Sunday, prior to United’s 2-1 defeat against Brighton in the Premier League, fans protested against the club’s current owners, the Glazer family. 

United fans have been showing their discontent towards the Glazers for a while, supporters group The 1958 branded them as 'unfit and improper owners'. 

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Knighton, a former director at United has now stated during a recent interview with YouTube channel Man Utd The Religion that he is intending to buy the club. 

He was asked about the protest towards the Glazers, Knighton replied: “Of course they will protest, and quite rightly. It’s the only way that they can vent their frustration and disappointment, and [they will] hope that the current ownership sit up and finally listen, and ultimately decide to sell their shareholding.” 

The 70-year-old then spoke about his bid. 

He said: “Everyone knows that we need new ownership of this football club and that is my aim and those are my objectives. I am making good progress, continuing to talk to the people, I have got some good pledges and good finance.

“We are now working on the offer document. Remember, it is a hostile bid - that simply means that the club isn't officially for sale. But my intention is to present these owners with a legitimate, potent and commercial offer to say: 'You have run out of road, it's time to go, because your time is up'.”

He added: “My consortium will be placing their bid very shortly. That, I guarantee.” 

It remains to be seen whether the potential bid will tempt the Glazers to sell, they have been in charge of United since they bought the club for £790 million back in 2005.

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Meanwhile, United are currently busy in the transfer market as they look to provide manager Erik ten Hag with the best possible squad for the season. 

After Sunday’s defeat, it became even clearer that United are in need of an injection of quality across many areas of the pitch. 

It has been reported that a deal to bring Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot to the club is close. Whilst United have also been linked with Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic Savic, Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong and Watford winger Ismaila Sarr. 

United’s next match will be against Brentford this weekend.