Pundit can’t believe Man United takeover could hit the rocks as ‘incredible’ new details emerge
Noel Whelan has claimed a potential new owner of Man United will be unphased by the club’s ten-figure debt and transfer creditors.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the Red Devils are in the same boat as debt-ridden Spanish clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona – who are trying to compete on the world stage without mega-money ownership.
Sources told this site last month that the controversial Glazer Family are confident of striking a world-record deal to end their 17-year ownership of Man United.
Speaking on The Athletic’s Talk of the Devils podcast (13 December), journalist Laurie Whitwell claimed the Old Trafford club have an “incredible” debt of £1billion – a figure any potential buyer would “have to consider”.
Football Insider analysis has shown (10 December) that Man United owe a staggering £307million in transfer fees following their summer splurge on players like Anthony and Lisandro Martinez.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “This is a club which has always been a giant in terms of worldwide popularity and saleability.
“They don’t just have success off the pitch, either, it’s also a club with a history of winning trophies and honours.
“There are probably four or five clubs who probably have that kind of debt because they don’t have owners who can provide enough backing.
“Man United have always been one of those teams. I can’t remember a time of my life where they’ve been in the green.
“I don’t think a new owner will be worried at all about that. The shirt sales, the merchandise, the fan base – that doesn’t go away overnight.
“It’s just the way these top clubs are run – like your Real Madrid’s, your Barcelona’s.”
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