Former Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata is back in the city this week to attend the Manchester International Festival.
17.06.2023 - 04:09 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester United midfielder Fred may feel uneasy at the prospect of Sir Jim Ratcliffe becoming the club's next owner.
The Old Trafford club's takeover saga continues to drag on following reports earlier in the week that Sheikh Jassim was set to win the race to purchase the club from the Glazers. But the Qatari media outlet that made those claims sensationally backtracked on them just hours later, with the Sheikh still very much in contention with British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Both prospective owners have vowed to return the Reds to the top of European football, something that would no doubt require major transfer incomings and outgoings to get Erik ten Hag's squad in a position to consistently battle it out with the continent's elite sides. While departures are expected at Old Trafford this summer, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already hinted that he has been less than impressed with Fred's performances for the club - meaning he could potentially be one of the first names out the door should the INEOS owner become the club's next owner.
Sir Jim has been rather outspoken about the Glazers' regime at Old Trafford in recent years, and called for United to act more smartly in the transfer market. Speaking about his leadership at French side Nice in an interview with the Times in 2019 he said: "We have a different approach here to be moderately intelligent about it. Try to do it more grassroots, trying to locate young talent.
READ MORE: Premier League announces change to takeover rules amid Manchester United sale process
"Some clubs seem to have an ability to do that, Southampton, Lille. United have done it really poorly. They have lost the plot."
And Sir Jim went even further as he used Fred as an example of the poor
Former Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata is back in the city this week to attend the Manchester International Festival.
Ex-United forward says takeover won't solve everything
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.
Here are your Manchester United morning headlines for Wednesday, June 28.
Manchester United’s share price dipped to $21.82 on Monday, the lowest in a week, before rebounding again.
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 supporters' group The 1958 has announced plans to protest against the Glazers amid ongoing frustration regarding a prospective takeover of the club.
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.
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.
Prospective Manchester United owner Sheikh Jassim had a brief period as president of a Qatari club in the early 2000s.
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.