Man Utd news: Sir Jim Ratcliffe's new proposal will cause anger among United fans (Image: GETTY)
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has sparked anger among the Manchester United fanbase who want to cut ties completely with the Glazer family. The latest news that Ratcliffe could buy a minority stake will only increase the concerns and frustrations of supporters who are at the end of their tether with the current owners.
November 2022 was when the Glazers first announced they would consider selling the club. It was music to the ears of United fans who had been willing for that moment for over a decade.
Not even the most pessimistic of supporters would have expected the saga to still be dragging out 11 months on. That is especially owing to the fact that the two top bidders made what were described as 'final' offers as far back as April.
Qatari billionaire Sheikh Jassim and INEOS founder Ratcliffe quickly became the two leading candidates to complete a takeover. Sheikh Jassim has been prepared to pay £6billion in a complete sale of the Red Devils.
That would see United cut ties with the Glazers immediately. Supporters have edged towards wanting to accept that offer for that very reason, despite the scrutiny that would come from a Qatari-backed takeover.
Man Utd news: The Glazers could keep control of United (Image: GETTY)
Ratcliffe's offer has never been for a complete takeover of United. The £5bn bid was to gain a controlling stake in the club but allow Glazer family members who wish to remain to still be shareholders.
That was not favourable for fans but some would have accepted it in order for the Glazers to not have sole power. Sky News also reported at the time in May that a clause would see the remaining Glazers leave after three years and Ratcliffe take full control.
Three years is a long time but at least there would be an end date to the saga. But a fresh development is the last thing United fans wanted to hear.
The Times reports that Ratcliffe is considering a new bid to buy a 25 per cent stake in United. That offer would be about £1.5bn, £3.5bn less than what Ratcliffe was prepared to pay for a majority stake.
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The Glazers would remain in charge in a move that would spark huge anger among the United fanbase. United legend Gary Neville has been vocal throughout the takeover process.
Early on, he claimed a partial takeover would not work. He said on Sky Sports: "Any party that comes into this club that has the Glazers as a partner is going to be deemed as being in bed with them and that would not go down well with the fans.
"They will not taint their own reputation. I can’t see anyone being that silly and naive to leave them in."
But it appears as though United-supporting Ratcliffe is prepared to take that risk and go in cahoots with the Glazers. It would get him off on the wrong foot with United fans, who are just desperate to see the back of their current owners.
