Featured Image Credit: Alamy / AP Photo/Jon Super
Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Sheikh Jassim
Ryan Smart
Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Sheikh Jassim
A Manchester United supporters' group is planning a fresh protest over delays to the takeover process involving the club.
The process to explore 'strategic alternatives' for the club has been ongoing over the past seven months, since their owners, the Glazer family, and the rest of the board posted an announcement on United's official website.
Among the leading contenders are Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim, through his Nine Two Foundation, and the proposal from Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.
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But despite much speculation, a conclusion to the process has yet to be announced.
Sheikh Jassim has submitted five bids for a full takeover of United, with a report from the Financial Times (via Manchester Evening News) claiming that he 'threatened to walk away' from the process entirely after his fifth and most recent bid.
When the bid was tabled, the Daily Mail reported that the Qatari businessman set a deadline - which has since passed - for the Glazers to respond, or else he would not negotiate further.
Now, enraged fans have reportedly reached breaking point over how long the takeover process has lasted up to now.
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Man Utd fans plan protest over takeover delay
Taking to Twitter, United supporters' group The 1958 announced that they would be holding a 'legal protest' at the club's megastore against the Glazer family.
They tweeted: "DON'T FEED GLAZER GREED! The 1958 will have a presence at the megastore on Tuesday.
"A legal protest from 9:45am. Be there! Bring your anti Glazer flags and banners. Be loud, be visual. We don't stop until they sell our club!"
The delays to the takeover have even created negative public reaction from those involved in the process.
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Speaking in April, Thomas Zilliacus - who launched a bid for United in March - took to Twitter to say he refused to repeatedly submit new offers for the club: "To clear out any misunderstanding: my bid for Manchester United is still on the table. I am ready to meet with the sellers to negotiate a mutually acceptable price.
"I however will not go back to scratch and start a new bidding process. That is not necessary nor professional."