Glazer cloud hangs over improving Man United

Manchester United fans are on the crest of a wave after ending a six-year wait to win a trophy and remain in the hunt for three more in a remarkable first season under Erik ten Hag.

Sitting third in the Premier League ahead of Sunday's clash with Liverpool, the Red Devils are into the FA Cup quarter-finals and last 16 of the Europa League on the back of one defeat in 22 games.

There could be even more reason to celebrate in the coming months should the United supporters finally get their wish with the departure of unpopular American owners, the Glazer family.

Yet doubts over whether the Glazers will sell their controlling stake in the club, despite inviting bids for the 20-time English champions, cast a shadow over a potentially bright future.

Qatar's Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe made bids before a soft deadline for buyers to make their interest known on February 17.

But both are reported to be short of the Glazers' 6 billion ($7.2 billion, 6.8 billion euros) asking price for a club their father Malcolm Glazer bought for 790 million in 2005.

Rumoured tension even among the Glazer camp adds an extra layer of uncertainty.

Joel and Avram Glazer, the club's executive co-chairmen, are reportedly less willing to part with the English giants than their four other siblings.

Avram Glazer was at Wembley last weekend to see United lift their first silverware since 2017 by beating Newcastle 2-0 in the League Cup final.

But the return of success on the field has not quelled the fury directed towards United's owners by the fans.

Chants of "We want Glazers out" echoed around Wembley during the League Cup final and in the victory over Barcelona at Old Trafford in a heavyweight Europa League tie late last