'Open revolt' - Glazers sent fresh warning over consequences of not selling Manchester United

Manchester United Supporters' Trust (MUST) has warned of an 'open revolt' if the Glazers back down from selling Manchester United.

The Glazer family invited more frustration earlier this month by deciding to open a third round of bidding, elongating any takeover process to at least the April 28 deadline. The news was enough for Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus to pull out of the race, labelling it a 'farce' and criticising the current owners for not coming to the table to negotiate.

Earlier this week, reports suggested that the American family could retain a majority share of United as they look to welcome a more sizeable payout in the future after a period of success under Erik ten Hag. That has intensified fears among supporters that any investment will be a minority stake and that the Glazers will remain in control.

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“We’re very clear on that – it’s a worst case scenario,” MUST director of communications and Fan Forum member, Chris Rumfitt, told i News.

“If the outcome of this process was the propping up of the Glazer ownership with potentially more debt, not less, then I think that would be a disaster and I think you would see open revolt from fans once again.

“Potentially the only beneficiaries from that are the four siblings who are most motivated to sell. That looks like a way for the four silent siblings to sell their stake and Joel and Avi to continue. We are very, very clear that would be a disaster and the reaction of fans to that would be mutinous.”

Despite the withdrawal of Zilliacus, the two front-runners for a takeover are thought to remain in the process and will do so past April 28. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad