The bidders for Manchester United hope to receive a response to their latest offers this week amid fears from at least one potential buyer that the Glazers will ultimately cite the banking crisis as a reason for not selling.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Britain’s richest person, and the Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani have said they want to buy out the Glazers, while Elliott, a US hedge fund, is targeting a minority stake.
There have been reports of multiple other interested parties but there is scepticism this is the case. All bidders lodged offers by 24 March and are awaiting a response from Raine Group, which is negotiating for the Glazers, but there remains uncertainty regarding the American family’s intentions.
This has caused discussions at at least one of the prospective buyers that the six siblings could choose not to sell and claim the banking crisis prevented them from reaching their desired price.