Glazers out? – Takeover talk ramps up at Manchester United

Takeover talk is ramping up at Old Trafford as the fall-out from Manchester United’s poor start to the season continues.

Erik ten Hag’s side sit bottom of the Premier League table after back-to-back defeats, including Saturday’s humiliating 4-0 loss at Brentford.

Disquiet about owners the Glazer family is nothing new but it appears change could be on the way.

Here, the PA news agency answers the key questions regarding the situation.

American businessman Malcolm Glazer, owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, began his investment in United in 2003 before taking full control of the club two years later. The deal was hugely unpopular with fans because it was financed primarily through loans secured against the club’s assets. A group of fans set up another club, FC United of Manchester, in protest.

Under the continued management of Sir Alex Ferguson, United initially remained successful, winning five Premier League titles in seven seasons between 2007 and 2013, when the Scot retired. It has been downhill since then, though, with United only making the top four in four of the last nine campaigns. Malcolm Glazer died in 2014, with the club now owned equally by his six children.

MUST Statement in response to media speculation around a potential sale or partial sale of Manchester United pic.twitter.com/0Funx5yWCl

— M.U.S.T (@MU_ST) August 18, 2022

Although United can hardly be said to have been frugal over the last decade, their ability to make marquee signings has undoubtedly diminished, with Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea arguably moving past them. Decision-making, meanwhile, has been hugely questionable, with a series of relatively short-term managers and unsuccessful recruitment.

It is too early to tell at the moment but