Former Manchester United star Gary Neville has hit out at the Glazers and labelled them ‘classless’ for taking the takeover process to a third round. The club hero is fearful that there is a ‘pact’ among the family to prevent a changing of hands to take place.
Interested parties were invited to submit second offers for the club by March 23, though the Raine Group has now informed several groups that a third round of bidding will take place this month. New offers must therefore be sent by the end of April.
The unprecedented next step comes as a hammer blow to those who were hopeful of owning the Red Devils for when the summer transfer windows opens as it significantly delays the process, which could mean that the Glazers are in control for another important window.
Neville has hit out at the American family a result, with the ex-England international tweeted: “They’re making it up as they go along! Shoddy way to run a sale process. They need to get out by end of May to allow the new owner a fighting chance to impact the next transfer window and get moving!
“Taking it to a 3rd round is just classless. The market has obviously not given them the answer they want! It’s like they’ve made a pact to each other that they won’t go for less than £1bn each family member. (5 of them). If they stay in after all this it will be toxic!”
It is believed that both Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani have both been informed that they have reached the new round of bidding and received feedback on their respective offers. Reports have circulated that five other private groups have also been invited to submit new offers this month, though it is unknown as to whether this figure includes minority groups that are hopeful of acquiring a small share of the club.
With limited information shared to bidders about the process prior to the ‘third round’ announcement, fears were growing that the Glazers could dig their heels in at Old Trafford and not sell the club. However, Neville does not believe that will be the case anymore.
He continued: “I think they will go eventually as it will be unbearable for them. If they do somehow think they can stay in then any new investor that comes in with them as partners need to think seriously about their brand damage.”
