The takeover saga finally looks to be over for Manchester United, after going on for what seemed like an absolute eternity.
it appears to be Sir Jim Ratcliffe who has won the race. The Times reports the British billionaire’s latest offer to buy a 25 percent stake in the club is set to be approved.
It’s been a wild ride, but it finally looks to have reached its conclusion. The result? A little underwhelming. From Sheikh Jassim‘s mega full takeover to a measly shared stake – it’s certainly not the outcome many predicted.
The Glazers also still remain, we’re sure to the utter delight of many. Here are our thoughts on the situation as the never-ending saga comes to a close.
Final thoughts on the takeover
We tasked our writers to share their final thoughts on the takeovers and eventual conclusion of Ratcliffe taking charge.
Dan Coombs: “What did I want at the start of this process? The Glazers gone completely. What have we got? The Glazers are still here. So it’s impossible to be entirely happy with this situation.
“A minority deal was one of the least attractive outcomes, however, this is far less terrifying than the alternative prospect of one of the US hedge funds propping them up.
“Ratcliffe has a public profile and will be answerable to scrutiny, and there will be a lot of it. What he has shown, is a determination to get a foot in the door, and business acumen to strike up a relationship with the Glazers and build trust. The rival Qatari bid failed to do this.
“The devil is in the detail with this deal, and the sporting decisions they take will influence the perception of success. I’m not concerned about their mixed track record with Nice, that’s apples and oranges.
“This does appear like a first step towards eventually taking total control and buying Joel and Avram out completely. It’s certainly better than them not selling any stake at all, which had looked like a real possibility.”
Kieran Smith: “Bittersweet feelings following the likely news that Ratcliffe will take over. I desperately wanted a full sale, purely for the fact I just wanted the Glazers out of the club.
“The money brought in by Sheikh Jassim didn’t matter so much to me, so had Ratcliffe taken over entirely – I’d be jubilated. But now I feel left in a sort of limbo.
“It is positive, as it means we may have someone slightly more competent dealing with the football side of things, but knowing Joel and Malcolm are ever-present figures surrounding the club really does concern me. I wanted better.”
Danny Owen: “While it might not have been the ‘dream’ scenario or a clean break from the Glazers, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s initial minority investment is still a step in the right direction.
“The biggest problem United have faced in recent years is a lack of clarity on the sporting front and Ratcliffe seems determined to change that, which could be a turning point for the club.”
Shaun Webbley: “Ultimately, a minority stake is the first step to getting the Glazer family, who have caused such turmoil to the fanbase, out.
“It’s quite clear the American family were never too keen on completely selling up so Sheikh Jassim, to me, was never going to happen.
“The big positive of this is Ratcliffe and Ineos will have sporting control, which is a massive bonus if they appoint the right people, which is what the fanbase has been crying out for. All in all, I think this is a huge positive.”
Adnan Riaz: “Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 25 percent stake in Manchester United will be welcomed, mainly because it offers some hope that the Glazers might eventually leave Old Trafford in the future.
“But for many United fans, the ideal scenario was a full-on takeover and Sheikh Jassim’s offer being withdrawn was a devastating blow for them.
“Ratcliffe’s position would only be small with his reported £1.3bn offer for the minority stake, but all eyes will be on the Ineos billionaire to excerpt some crucial influence behind the scenes at United.
“Only time will tell if Ratcliffe’s offer is accepted in the first place. But if it is, then the expectations will be huge for Ratcliffe to show some kind of impact at United.”
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