Manchester United takeover delayed as Glazers hold out for £6bn sale

The Glazers are intent on securing a higher fee for Manchester United than the initial bids of Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, which were lodged at a maximum of £4.5bn. It leaves the American family’s wish to close any deal by the end of March looking unlikely.

The bids from the Qatari Thani, via his Nine Two Foundation, and Ratcliffe, Britain’s richest person and the owner of Ineos, were lodged less than a fortnight ago. Among the six Glazer siblings it is understood there is indecision because each has their own intentions but the sale is still under serious consideration by the family as a whole.

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The Glazers’ price is closer to £6bn but they may countenance an offer in between that and the existing bids. The family’s desire, though, to have any deal agreed in the next month appears in doubt, with a sale by the end of the season more likely as things stand.

Announcing its bid on 17 February, a Nine Two statement said: “Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani today confirmed his submission of a bid for 100% of Manchester United. The bid plans to return the club to its former glories both on and off the pitch, and – above all – will seek to place the fans at the heart of Manchester United once more.”

The following day Ineos said: “We can confirm that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have submitted a bid for majority ownership of Manchester United.”