Man Utd 'prepared' for new bidders to enter the race to buy the club as takeover clue spotted

Manchester United are 'prepared' for new bidders to enter the race to buy a stake the club as developments in a potential takeover continue.

There are three publicly confirmed bids for the club following the latest deadline. Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim, through his Nine Two foundation, and the joint offer from Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos are both in the race.

Furthermore, US hedge fund Elliott Management - former owners of Italian giants AC Milan - are also said to have submitted a bid for a minority stake in United.

Last month, The Times reported that there are two options available for the club to redevelop Old Trafford, with a Tottenham-style process - building a new stadium on the original site - said to cost between £1-2 billion.

However, an expansion to the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand, thus taking the capacity up by 12,000 seats to 88,000, would cost around £100-200 million.

This is said to make the Elliott bid more attractive to the club's current owners, the Glazer family, because of the belief that United's worth as an asset will only increase with success on the pitch under Erik ten Hag.

However, United are reportedly 'prepared' in case of any bidders.

Man Utd 'prepared' for new bidders

According to The Athletic's David Ornstein, United chiefs invited prospective bidders into the Jimmy Murphy Building, which had been transformed into a 'set' containing financial and sporting information about the club.

It is claimed that the set has not yet been taken down, with some suggesting that this may be so future talks can be held in the room in the scenario of more bidders making offers.

Furthermore, the report adds the interesting detail that manager Ten Hag has been conducting his press duties in the main building, having previously done so in the Jimmy Murphy Building.

And it is stated that more work is being completed at Carrington, with United having begun the task of constructing new facilities for both youth players and the women's team.

United's women's team are currently chasing their maiden Women's Super League title, with Marc Skinner's side currently top of the division. They have collected 41 points from 17 games, but could fall behind rivals Chelsea and Arsenal if the two sides win their game in hand.