Gary Neville fears Glazer family ploy in Man United sale process
Gary Neville fears the Glazer family is using Elliott Management to ‘maintain control’ of Man United or force higher offers from Qatar and Sir Jim Ratcliffe… as the US hedge fund carries out the second stage of the sale process
- Neville responded to reports that Elliott made it through to the second stage.
- United legend believes owners Joel and Avram Glazer are making a move
- Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe of Qatar are interested in buying the club
Gary Neville fears that Elliott Management’s progression to the second stage of the Manchester United sale process is a ploy by the Glazer family to “maintain control” or raise the price.
The US hedge fund has reportedly submitted a financing proposal that is open to all parties, but continues to insist that it does not want to buy United.
Sports news from heaven said Elliott representatives attended Thursday night’s Europa League win over Real Betis at Old Trafford.
The two main bidders to buy the club from the Glazers, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, also won.
As Sportsmail reported on Wednesday, bidders who made it to the second stage of a three-step process will head to Manchester over the next two weeks.
Gary Neville fears that the presence of the US hedge fund Elliott Management in the second stage of the process to buy Manchester United is a ploy by the current owners, the Glazer family
The United legend tweeted his response to the news that Elliott was still involved in the proceedings.
United fans fear Joel and Avram Glazer could continue to own the club despite putting it on the market late last year.
They will receive presentations from various senior United officials, who will outline the workings of the club’s first team operations, transfer strategy and scouting network.
But the continued presence of Elliott, who is willing to provide funding of up to £2bn for the redevelopment of Old Trafford, has cast doubt on the Glazers’ willingness to sell.
In response to a tweet from Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol, Neville said: ‘No! It sounds like it’s a move by Joel and Avi Glazer to “stay in control” or “force out the other bidders.” Go to your website. They don’t own Manchester United!’
It’s not the first time United legend-turned-Sky pundit Neville has raised concerns that the Glazers could use Elliott funds to maintain control of the club.
Alternatively, the unpopular current ownership may be trying to force Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe to raise their bids to get closer to their £6bn asking price.
The leading candidates to buy United are Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani (L) and Jim Ratcliffe (R) and their teams are ready to see United’s soccer operations laid bare.
Potential investors will see presentations on United’s soccer operations below.
“I think the thing that scares Man Utd fans the most is the feeling that the owners of Man Utd are running this process to raise a massive price to try to somehow establish a level that means two of them can stay and the rest of the family wants out.” can be bought by a US fund that wouldn’t mind owning a minority or significant stake, but not the full share,” Neville said in his Sky sports podcast.
That is the biggest concern. The whole emphasis right now from Man Utd fans is that this has to be the end of Glazer’s ownership.
‘They’ve run out of money, they haven’t invested in the stadium…the fans want a new stadium, whether it’s Old Trafford refurbished or a new one rebuilt, we need new facilities. Man Utd’s stadium is behind many of the greats [clubs] in Europe
“I still think there’s a focus that this isn’t some big charade that the Glazers are running to try to establish a value that would be for their brothers and sisters to go out and the couple that wants to stay.” There is a priority right now for them to leave.
