MANCHESTER UNITED could finally be sold by the Glazers after 17 years of ownership.
Red Devils supporters have been calling for a takeover for a number of years.
And now they may get their wish as the Glazers have announced they are “explore strategic alternatives for the club”.
The controversial American owners are prepared to sell the club outright, with a deal expected to be worth around £9BILLION.
That would make United the most valuable sports team in the world, eclipsing the Dallas Cowboys who are said to be worth £7.23bn.
A statement from the club read: “Manchester United plc, one of the most successful and historic sports clubs in the world, announces today that the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) is commencing a process to explore strategic alternatives for the club.
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“The process is designed to enhance the club’s future growth, with the ultimate goal of positioning the club to capitalize on opportunities both on the pitch and commercially.
“As part of this process, the Board will consider all strategic alternatives, including new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions involving the Company.
“This will include an assessment of several initiatives to strengthen the club, including stadium and infrastructure redevelopment, and expansion of the club’s commercial operations on a global scale, each in the context of enhancing the long-term success of the club’s men’s, women’s and academy teams, and bringing benefits to fans and other stakeholders.”
Avram and Joel Glazer added: “The strength of Manchester United rests on the passion and loyalty of our global community of 1.1 billion fans and followers.
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“As we seek to continue building on the Club’s history of success, the Board has authorized a thorough evaluation of strategic alternatives.
“We will evaluate all options to ensure that we best serve our fans and that Manchester United maximizes the significant growth opportunities available to the Club today and in the future.
“Throughout this process we will remain fully focused on serving the best interests of our fans, shareholders, and various stakeholders.”
If the Glazers do sell, it would end a decade-long feud between the family and the club’s supporters.
United have not won the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013, or any form of trophy since 2017.
Yet the Glazers are in line to make a huge profit on the club they purchased in a deal worth £790m back in 2005.
The Premier League clubs has increased hugely in that time.
Chelsea were sold for £4.25bn in the summer while Liverpool are on the market for a similar sum as their own American owners look to sell up.
But there is one option which would see the Glazers remain at the helm.
That is if they opt for a partial sale that raises funds for a redevelopment of Old Trafford but maintains the Glazers’ ownership.
They bought the club way back in 2005 in a deal worth £790m.
Britain’s richest man, United fan Sir Jim Ratcliffe, will likely be interested in pursuing a deal.
Ratcliffe runs multi-billion-pound chemicals giant Ineos, which already owns French side Nice and Swiss club Lausanne – plus a third of Formula One team Mercedes – and was a late entrant in the running to buy Chelsea.
Last month he admitted his love for United, but insisted he had been told the Glazers did not want to sell.
He said: “I’m a lifelong Manchester United fan. I was there in 1999 for the most remarkable match of all time in Barcelona. So, you know, the club is deeply etched in my mind.
“But Manchester United is owned by the Glazer family. I have met Joel and Avram, who are the nicest people, proper gentlemen, and they don’t want to sell.
“The club is owned by the six children of the father, Malcolm, and they don’t want to sell it.
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“If it had been for sale in the summer, yes, we would probably have had a go, following on from the Chelsea thing.
“But we can’t sit around hoping that one day United will become available.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
