Ratcliffe’s offer for Man U keeps the Glazer family involved

Who will be the next owners of Manchester United?

The Glazer family is open to selling the iconic club – much to the delight of Red Devils fans – and multiple suitors have emerged.

British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is one name to keep an eye on. Ratcliffe has a net worth of over $15 billion through his company INEOS and owns two other football clubs and a Formula 1 team. He is from Oldham and is a Man U. supporter.

And since we’re talking about big money in sports in 2023, that must mean we are talking about the Qatari’s as well. Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani leads a group of investors who also have made a bid for the club.

Odds on who will purchase Manchester United and the clubs’ fortunes in the Premier League next season are open at DraftKings Sportsbook as the Red Devils remain in the headlines.

The Glazer family took ownership of Manchester United through a leveraged buyout in 2005. Even though the club has been successful during that time – 14 trophies, but no Premier League title since 2013 – the Americans never were accepted by the Man U faithful. When the club announced its support of the proposed Super League in 2021, the relationship soured further.

Financially, the club has seen its debt rise based on financial figures reported at the end of 2022 and revenues drop by 10 percent. The shares on the New York Stock Exchange have dropped by a third because of uncertainty around the sale.

It’s not clear just how much the Glazers are asking.

Estimates are the club could fetch over $6 billion. Chelsea just sold for $5.25 billion. The Ratcliffe offer reportedly has been amended to allow members of the Glazer family to retain minority shares in the club, which may make their offer more attractive. The Hamad Al-Thani bid is for 100 percent of the club.

That may be the sticking point for the Glazer family who may want to maintain a financial stake without the headaches.

Man U was forced to watch rival Man City win the Treble this season, but did finish third in the Premier League to qualify for the UEFA’s Champions League. By the start of next season, the club could be under new owners.