Qatar bid warned not to criticise the Glazers as takeover battle underway

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The battle for the control of Manchester United is underway. After the deadline for bids last Friday, there are two prominent bidders.

One is led by Qatari bidder Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Jaber Al Thani, and another is from Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s Ineos.

There is also a third from American hedge fund Elliott, which pledges to provide money to support another bidder should they wish to partner, or as ESPN report – could even offer the Glazers a path to staying.

The process is now being overseen by The Raine Group, who led the sale of Chelsea last year.

READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loan deals for January 2023

Glazer warning issued

The Times reports The Raine Group have warned bidders not to criticise the Glazer family in attempts to win public support.

It is claimed a statement from the Qatar bid ruffled feathers, and all parties have been advised not to offend the club’s current owners.

The report claims: “A statement from the Qatar bid in particular is understood to have caused consternation among those running the process, with the promise to return United to its “former glories” seen as implied criticism of the present owners.”

Objectively, there was nothing said which was incorrect. Manchester United have been a shadow of their former selves in recent years. The club last won a trophy six years ago in 2017.

Off the field, Manchester United are no longer regarded as having the best stadium, best training ground, or even being the biggest financial behemoth, and these are all factors new owners will have to address.

However it is wise and practical not to offend the seller, when you are the ones trying to buy. So all parties will have to heed this warning.

The Qatar bid is expected to be the more financially lucrative one for the Glazers. But if they do not like the approach made by the potential buyers, there is a risk they will look more favourably to alternatives.