DAVID BECKHAM has given an update that “there will be a takeover” in the ownership of Manchester United.
A new frontrunner to buy the Red Devils has emerged as Sir Jim Ratcliffe is said to be ahead of Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani to strike a deal with current owners, the Glazers.
Both Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim have made several approaches to purchase United after the Glazers announced the club was up for sale last November.
But there have been accusations that the unpopular owners have been dragging their heels in negotiations.
Sheikh Jassim has previously revealed he wants to buy the Red Devils outright in a £5billion deal.
The Glazers are said to prefer the sale of a minority interest, however, with Ratcliffe now a frontrunner in the race, according to Bloomberg.
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The English businessman is believed to be in talks to buy an initial 25 per cent stake, which the Glazers are said to be more in favour of.
And United icon Becks has hinted a takeover is fast approaching.
He told American outlet CNBC: “There will be a takeover, it is the right time. We all have our opinions on who should take over.
“But in my opinion, it is about who cares about the club the most and will take the club back to where it should be.
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“Everybody knows I am a Manchester United fan and I have been very vocal about the situation that is happening.
“I grew up there from a young age with a lot of stability with the same manager and the same owners.
“Manchester United will always be one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“We need to get back to that for the fans, the players, the manager because, at the moment, there is no stability. We need to get the talk back on the field, not off it.
“I want to see an ownership group who will take the club back to what it should be.
“I am not saying the past owners have done a bad job but it is the right time for someone else to take over.”
Since the Glazers purchased the team back in 2005, Manchester United fans have regularly voiced their opinions against the American owners.
The Red Devils invested heavily in the summer but have struggled on the pitch in the new term, with Erik ten Hag’s squad currently having the club’s worst start to a season in 37 years.
Man Utd have lost four out of their seven Premier League games this season and currently sit tenth in the table.
Meanwhile, reports hinted Beckham could return to Old Trafford in an ambassadorial role if Sheikh Jassim’s proposal is successful.
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But the England legend denied the claims as he added: “At the moment there has been no discussion. I have had a long-standing relationship with Qatar, because of my involvement with PSG.
“Obviously there will be some connection and people put two and two together.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
