By Kieran Maguire

10th May, 2023 | 12:00pm

Kieran Maguire reveals Glazers takeover 'suspicion' that will 'anger' Man United fans

Sir Jim Ratcliffe will ‘anger’ Man United fans if he agrees to let Joel and Avram Glazer stay on the board at Old Trafford.

That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Glazer duo could demand a seat in the boardroom as part of their takeover negotiations.

As reported by The Times, Ratcliffe has offered the Glazers a chance to retain a 20 per cent stake in Man United if they accept his takeover bid.

Britain’s richest man initially submitted a bid to buy the Glazers’ 69 per cent stake in the club – but he is now offering to purchase a majority stake of just over 50 per cent, with the American owners set to retain their remaining shares.

After two rounds of bidding, the Glazers called for a third round last month, with the deadline for final submissions set for Friday 28 April.

It is yet to be seen whether the Glazers are leaning towards the Qatari offer for 100 per cent of the club, or Ratcliffe’s offer that could see them stay at Old Trafford.

Maguire revealed that there is no obligation for Ratcliffe to keep the Glazers on the club board with only a 20 per cent share – unless they demand it in negotiations.

“I think as far as a minority Glazer ownership would be concerned, this would be specifically in respect of Joel and Avram,” Maguire told Football Insider.

“If they’re allowed a 20 per cent threshold, there’s no obligation from Sir Jim Ratcliffe to give them a seat on the board.

“But that could be part of the negotiation strategy by the Glazers to demand that they stay in the boardroom.

“However, having a voice on the board isn’t the same as controlling the board.

“Ultimately, that would be by Sir Jim’s team, but it would allow the Glazers to have an element of input.

“I have a suspicion that it would anger quite a few Manchester United fans.”

In other news, Man United ready to pull plug on Victor Osimhen deal