Former Man Utd defender Gary Neville has hit out at the “embarrassing” Glazer family as the takeover of the Red Devils rumbles on.
The Premier League side announced in November that it was exploring ‘strategic alternatives’ to enhance the growth of the club, including the possibility of a full sale.
Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim and his Nine Two Foundation have been competing publicly with INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe in an attempt to take over Man Utd.
Man Utd legend Gary Neville looks annoyed Credit: Alamy
However, it has turned into a long, drawn-out process with the Glazers looking to get maximum value out of the bidders with Sheikh Jassim making five bids, two more than Ratcliffe.
Fans are getting worried that summer transfers could be impacted if a takeover doesn’t go through soon and now Man Utd legend Neville is getting fed-up.
“Embarrassing,” Neville told BBC Radio 5Live.
“But it’s what they have done, drag everything out, it’s always in their best interests. Fans not being updated by owners on the ownership sale is not good enough, but fitting with how they have operated for 20 years now.”
There were rumours that Sheikh Jassim could be announced as the preferred bidder last week but CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed why he knew that wouldn’t be the case.
Jacobs told GiveMeSport: “Where I’m standing was always that last week was not as big as had necessarily been believed, in terms of public clarity, because behind the scenes there are in depth talks taking place with both INEOS and Nine Two Foundation.
“The reason why last week may not have been as significant for clarity, even though it will be highly important behind the scenes, is because both of the two groups are being lined up to effectively sign. So if either get a green light, a deal will be relatively close in terms of its structure, and also any questions around it. That will enable a smoother process to get from winning, to acquisition.
“And the process to full acquisition is a little bit different for INEOS than Nine Two Foundation because INEOS are not buying 100% of the club, and Nine Two Foundation are trying to, so they would also have to delist the public shares as well.”
There have been reports that if Sheikh Jassim completes a takeover then Man Utd will look to sign Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe this summer.
But Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has played down the possibility, he told GiveMeSport: “Tempted, yes. It’s just such a big if, though, isn’t it?
“It’s such a big if because this takeover saga just rumbles on and on and on and you’ve got to have a degree of sympathy for Erik ten Hag because we’re talking about, you know, the likes of Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe, can United go in for them?
“Well, if this takeover takes another one or two months, you know, we’re well into this transfer window, you know, coming towards the end of it.
“Are players going to wait around for what’s going to happen with their future depending on what happens with the takeover at Manchester United?”
Source: news.yahoo
