Glazers could land extra £2.5bn windfall as Man United takeover update emerges
Manchester United co-owners the Glazers could land an extra £2.5billion after a takeover update has emerged.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe purchased a 27.7 per cent stake in Man United in February 2024 after agreeing a £1.25bn deal with the Glazers, valuing the club at close to £5bn.
The INEOS chief was selected as the preferred bidder ahead of Sheikh Jassim, who wanted to secure a full takeover but failed to provide proof of funds.
Ratcliffe has increased his stake in Man United to 28.9 per cent after injecting £238million since investing in the club.
Meanwhile, the Glazers, who bought a 98 per cent stake at Old Trafford in 2005 for £790m, have since seen their shareholding diluted to 48.9 per cent.
Man United sale clause revealed
The Glazers’s drag-along rights in Man United came into effect on 13 August, 18 months after their deal with Ratcliffe was agreed.
It gives the American family the power to sell their stake and also force Ratcliffe into a sale in a full takeover of the club.
The Glazers are likely to demand a valuation in excess of £5bn to sanction a sale at Old Trafford, handing them at least an extra £2.5bn if a deal can be agreed.
However, Football Insider revealed on Thursday (11 September) the Glazers are unlikely to agree a Man United takeover in the near future.
It is believed they could be more open to a deal once progress is made on constructing the club’s new stadium.
Man United have announced plans to build a 100,000-seater stadium as part of the government’s regeneration of the Old Trafford area.
Ratcliffe has insisted he wants the new stadium, which the club believe will cost around £2bn, to be the “world’s greatest” and potentially be completed within five years.
While the stadium is still several years away from being completed, any major milestones in the construction phase could boost the Manchester giants’ value to potential investors.
Man United could face takeover blow after on-field issues
Man United posted a club-record revenue of £661.8m in their latest published accounts for 2023-24 despite recording a net loss of £113.2m.
However, the recent results on the pitch could be putting off any interested parties from pursuing a takeover deal.
Ruben Amorim’s side missed out on qualifying for European football after finishing 15th in the Premier League last season.
Man United have picked up four points from their opening three games of the new campaign, with a derby clash against Manchester City coming up on Sunday (14 September).
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