The Glazer family will remain Manchester United owners for the January transfer window if they delay their takeover decision beyond November, according to reports. Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe still await clarity over the Glazers’ plans to sell the club almost one year into the process.
It remains unclear whether the American family are ready to walk away from Old Trafford or plan to pursue minority investment to retain control.
The Glazers announced a ‘strategic review’ in November last year, prompting a bidding war between Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe.
Sheikh Jassim wants to buy 100 per cent of United, and his fifth and final offer in June was reportedly worth around £5billion, short of the Glazers’ inflated 6bn valuation.
Meanwhile, Ratcliffe offered a similar fee for the Red Devils’ owners 67 per cent stake but has since reportedly begun exploring a pursuit of 25 per cent to start a phased takeover over the coming years.
Sheikh Jassim is unlikely to revise his offer and opt for a minority stake, which leaves the Glazers with a decision to make.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, United’s supporters and bidders will get clarity on the direction of the takeover by late November.
But Jacobs adds that once a takeover is announced, it would take a minimum of four to six weeks before the club’s new owners would inherit control at Old Trafford.
So, if the Glazers delay their decision beyond November, they will still be the decision-makers in the January transfer window.
The report claims that Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe have grown annoyed with the prolonged process but accept that it will ultimately get done when the time is right.
Sheikh Jassim is said to have gone as far as threatening to drop out of the running if the Glazers take the option for a full sale off the table.
If the Qatari royal or Ratcliffe are in power in January, Ten Hag could be free to invest in his squad further after splashing over £400m across his two summer transfer windows.
Sheikh Jassim would likely accommodate more spending due to his pledge to clear United’s debt, now north of £1bn since the Glazers completed a takeover in 2005.
But either new owner would have to consider the FFP limitations that have also become more problematic under the Glazers’ rule.
November will mark one year since the takeover process started, but it could be a highly significant month in United’s long history.
