On Thursday there is serious potential for one of the most season-defining events to take place. After 12 months of negotiations, backs and forths, bluffs and double bluffs, media briefings and hidden agendas, Manchester United might finally come to a decision over the next steps in their ‘strategic process’ looking for more investment.
Having announced last year before the World Cup that the club would be keeping their options open, what has followed has been nothing short of remarkable with fans protesting against the current owners consistently. Now, Ineos owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe looks set to the who whilst the what and how waits to be seen, the when it Thursday, October 18. At least it is initially.
After reports suggested that a meeting was set to take place between the board of directors at United, The Athletic now write that a deal might not be in place between Ratcliffe and the club ahead of a planned vote. Ratcliffe, who had shown interest in buying Chelsea twice previously, is thought to have come to an agreement to buy a 25% stake in the club.
The Nice owner and sporting enthusiast could take control of the sporting side of operations for around £1.5billion ($1.8bn), a price that puts the total valuation of United way above market value and around £6billion ($7.3bn), Forbes have estimated that the value is closer to £4.93billion ($6bn) whilst some quarters suggest that the Glazers had sought out a figure of £8billion ($9.74bn).
