Manchester United are set to ratify Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s plan to invest in the club, with rival bidder Sheikh Jassim withdrawing interest.
A quiet Saturday night in an international week provided a major development for the future of Manchester United.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s 25 per cent offer for a minority stake in Manchester United is the chosen path forward by the Glazers, with Qatari bidder Sheikh Jassim pulling out, unable to agree a price on his bid.
BBC Sport report Ratcliffe wants to run the football operations at the club, having a major say regarding on-pitch matters.
The 1958 respond
Protest group The 1958 mobilised in early 2022 to co-ordinate fan action against the Glazers, before they issued plans to invite strategic investment.
The group have led protest marches outside Old Trafford and also had a visible presence on matchday.
Now, amid Ratcliffe closing in on his stake in the club, The 1958 have issued their response on social media, and are not totally convinced.
The statement via X reads: “A fair few statements going around today. So just a couple of updates from the 58. As we have said before “FULL SALE ONLY” is what we stand for. The full removal of the Glazers 69% shareholding.
“We will continue to protest until this vile family are removed from every fabric of our football club. We are not interested in new share issues. We are only interested in the removal of Glazer. The disease that has crippled our club for 18 years.
“As we have seen today. The offer of dialogue has been refused by the main groups of the Fans Forum and Fans Advisory Board. We will continue to call for a full boycott of the Fans Forum and the Fans Advisory Board. If you have not been elected by the fans. Then you do not represent the fans. Handpicked and complicit with the club and ownership.
“No doubt led with best intentions but in reality, they continue to facilitate deception. Every decision the club make they refer to the FF and FAB to legitimise their actions. THIS HAS TO STOP! It’s time to show real Unity, boycott the meetings and stand with the wider fan base. #GlazersOut every last share!
“Nothing in life has ever been achieved by doing nothing and walking away. Persistence will overcome resistance. The 1958.”
One step forward for Manchester United, not back
The Mail report Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment is with a view to eventually buying out the Glazers. BBC Sport back this up, reporting: “Ineos apparently intend to gradually secure a full takeover in the future.”
So with this in mind, the investment is a step forward, but it definitely is not where we want to end up.
The 1958 are spot on, that Manchester United’s problems will only stand a real chance of being eradicated when the Glazers are gone.
Expect some form of protest to continue, making clear towards the Glazers they are still not welcome at the club, and also pressure on Ratcliffe to push ahead with eventual plans to increase his holding.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
