The Glazer family selling Manchester United is a day many United fans have long dreamed of, and suddenly it feels as though that day could come soon.
For 17 years the family’s neglectful ownership of Manchester United has seen the club fall from its once unparalleled grace.
But now there is light at the end of the tunnel, as a spokesperson for Britain’s richest man and lifelong Manchester United supporter Sir Jim Ratcliffe has announced his interest in buying the club.
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In his statement on behalf of the INEOS founder and owner, the spokesperson said “If the club is for sale, Jim is definitely a potential buyer."
“If something like this was possible, we would be interested in talking with a view to long-term ownership,” was added in relation to a potential initial minority stake.
It was also clarified what Ratcliffe’s intentions would be as owner of the club, with the businessman looking to properly rebuild the club and bring them back to their glory days.
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“This is not about the money that has been spent or not spent. Jim is looking at what can be done now and, knowing how important the club is to the city, it feels like the time is right for a reset."
Ratcliffe is not the only one who feels this way, with many ex players also urging the current owners to sell the club.
As a notorious United fan, Ratcliffe has naturally been linked to ownership of the club in the past. But what has he said about United up until now?
Speaking to the Times in 2019, the Englishman said: “They haven’t got the manager selection right, haven’t bought well. They have been the dumb money, which you see with players like Fred.”
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Fred was signed by United for £52 million in 2018, to this day a fee which is often frowned upon. In his first year especially, Fred struggled majorly.
Ratcliffe’s disagreement with United’s manager selection only echoes the sentiments of fellow fans, with the club having recruited poorly in the dugout as well as on the pitch since 2013.
Erik ten Hag is looking to change that, but requires a very significant level of support from his higher ups if he wants to do so.
Key to this are the transfer decisions that will be made at United, with Ten Hag requiring specifically scouted profiles rather than just any old players, and Ratcliffe’s vision for running a club seems to line up with this.
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“United have spent an immense amount since Ferguson left and been poor, to put it mildly. Shockingly poor, to be honest.”
“We have a different approach here to be moderately intelligent about it. Try to do it more grassroots, trying to locate young talent.”
"Some clubs seem to have an ability to do that, Southampton, Lille. United have done it really poorly. They have lost the plot."
United’s net spend has been one of the world’s highest in the last decade, yet despite this they have never come even remotely close to dominating football again.
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In the past, United’s poorly run nature and the fact they were not for sale have been the main obstacles to him taking over.
"Yes, I mean, I can understand that (the calls for him to buy the club) but Manchester United is not for sale.”
He also said in 2019 that the club were in "a big pickle as a business".
The prospect of the Glazers not being owners of United is exciting enough, and the prospect of the owner being Sir Jim Ratcliffe only adds to this.
It has been a very long time since Manchester United had an owner who really cared about the club and had a genuine connection with the fans, but it seems as if there is light creeping at the end of the tunnel.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours