Manchester United fans have been warned both prospective new owners will bring moral baggage to the table should either conclude a deal for the club.
10.06.2023 - 09:39 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The 2022 FIFA World Cup was only three days old when the Glazer family announced that they had Manchester United up for sale.
Almost seven months later, the Glazers are yet to make a decision on the club's future. United have become the subject of one of the most long-winded takeover sagas in living memory, meaning frustrations among the fanbase have reached an all-time high.
After a successful 2022/23 campaign on the pitch, United's supporters were meant to look forward to this summer's transfer window with optimism. Instead, they remain in the dark over the future of their club, with the Glazers continuing to remain silent.
Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe are the leading contenders to secure the club, albeit with different plans. Sheikh Jassim, who lodged a fifth and improved bid earlier this week, wants to gain full control of the club while Ratcliffe wants a majority stake, meaning the Glazers would remain involved in some capacity.
READ MORE: Erik ten Hag has seven players fighting for two positions at United
One way or another, however, the situation needs to be resolved as quickly as possible. It is not a healthy situation for manager Erik ten Hag to find himself in with the start of the summer transfer window now just days away.
With that in mind, MEN Sport has taken a look at all of the key moments that have developed in the takeover saga so far...
On Tuesday, November 22, the Glazer family released a statement confirming that they had put United up for sale and were also open to fresh investment.
The statement said: "Manchester United PLC, one of the most successful and historic sports clubs in the world, announces today that the Company's Board of
Manchester United fans have been warned both prospective new owners will bring moral baggage to the table should either conclude a deal for the club.
Former Manchester United captain Patrice Evra has called on the Glazers to decide on their preferred takeover bidder before the start of the 2023/24 season.
It's been more than seven months since Manchester United owners the Glazers announced plans to 'explore strategic alternatives' for investment, paving the way for a protracted takeover process which still seems some way from completion.
Manchester United fans have hijacked an Instagram post of Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani with his family amid the ongoing takeover saga.
The Glazers are still mulling over how the Manchester United takeover process will conclude with Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe awaiting a response.
Being linked with some of the biggest stars in world football comes with the territory of supporting Manchester United.
Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha has urged the Glazers to make a quick decision on the takeover after admitting Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani's bid was 'exciting'.
Manchester United's protracted takeover continues to rumble on and has reached its eighth month following the Glazers' announcement to "explore strategic alternatives for the club" back in November.
The Manchester United takeover saga continues to rumble on with seemingly no end in sight.
Tomorrow marks exactly seven months to the day since the Glazer family put Manchester United up for sale and we are still no closer to reaching an outcome.
Manchester United's takeover saga continues to rumble on as this week with supporters still in the dark about where the ownership situation stands.
Manchester United could be used as an exercise in sportswashing should Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani take over the club, according to a leading academic expert.
Manchester United midfielder Fred may feel uneasy at the prospect of Sir Jim Ratcliffe becoming the club's next owner.
It is almost seven months since the Glazer family announced plans to either sell Manchester United or welcome fresh investment. The saga remains ongoing and supporters' patience is beginning to wear increasingly thin.
Manchester United's takeover process is reportedly nearing its conclusion as Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe battle it out for ownership of the club.
Brendan Rodgers has already warned Manchester United they could become Sheikh Jassim's "plaything" should his takeover bid for the club should prove successful.
Manchester United's takeover saga continues to be shrouded in confusion following claims Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani has been granted exclusivity in the negotiations to take over.
Manchester United fans were left shocked on Monday evening after reports from Qatar suggested that Sheikh Jassim's bid had been successful and the takeover of their club by the banker would be announced 'soon'.
Here are your Wednesday morning Manchester United headlines.
The approval of Sheikh Jassim's Nine Two Holdings Limited as a UK company is not thought to be an indicator of an imminent takeover decision.