Manchester United bidder Thomas Zilliacus highlights ‘major’ Glazers issue that ‘needs changing’

Manchester United bidder Thomas Zilliacus believes the Glazers’ disconnect with fans is a major reason for their unpopularity.

Zilliacus formally submitted his proposals on Friday after the Raine Group - the US bank conducting the takeover process - extended its Wednesday soft deadline for second bids.

The Finnish businessman told the Manchester Evening News that his offer was “on the same level” as those from Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe. On Saturday morning, the 69-year-old announced that he had further increased his bid.

READ MORE: United bidder explains unique app ownership model

Zilliacus, head of social media business novaM Group, proposes that he would own 50 per cent of the club with investing fans holding the second half and being able to vote on certain topics through a newly-designed app. This bid is being funded through XXI Century Capital investment firm, which is owned by his holding company.

Zilliacus admits that his fan-share ownership model is a novel idea for English football. He pointed out that most Scandinavian clubs require at least 51 per cent ownership from fans to prevent one owner from taking full control.

Asked on whether this system could work in England, Zilliacus told MEN Sport: “The club is nothing without the fans, the fans are the club.

“My understanding is, based on public information as I haven't been privy to detailed information yet, that the current owners [the Glazers] have not been very popular with the fans exactly for the reason - that they have not been involving the fans in the ways fans were expecting.

“If that is true, to me, that is a major issue that needs to be changed.” Many United fans have been frustrated with the lack of consistent