A year of takeover turmoil at Manchester United as Glazers remain in control
It was the announcement that disillusioned Manchester United fans had craved for years.
More than two decades after first investing in the club, the much-maligned Glazer family finally bit the bullet on November 22 last year after years of discontent at Old Trafford. Announcing their intention to sell the club, supporters - not to mention Gary Neville - publicly rejoiced at the notion of new owners, cleared debts, and a leaking stadium roof being patched up.
But exactly one year on from what seemed a landmark announcement, the Glazers remain at the helm. There have protests, derision, a takeover saga and plenty of bids, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe now on the verge of securing a revised deal to become a minority shareholder.
It is expected to be the start of a complete takeover but United fans have been forced to come to the realisation that they will not be bidding farewell to their much-maligned owners just yet. Mirror Football reviews 365 days of confusion and chaos at Old Trafford.
Fans fooled by Glazer smokescreen?
For many, the apparent intention of the Glazers to pack their bags and sell-up at Manchester United signified overwhelming relief. Others weren't quite convinced.
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A family, long perceived to have used the global brand the club represents to line their own pockets, were never going to willingly give up the reins. And those rejoicing at their impending exit also overlooked the small-print, with the owners also implying other investment options would be considered as well as a full takeover.
Sure enough, it soon became apparent there would be no swift sale, despite Raine Group coming on board to oversee the bidding saga. And long after Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe emerged as the chief contenders and submitted final bids, with the Qatari banker touted as the favourite with his offer closer to the £6billion valuation, the silence remained deafening.
Manchester United Directors Joel and Avram Glazer remain at the helm (Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Is Sir Jim Ratcliffe the man to bring glory back to Man United? Comment below.
Eventually, it was Sheikh Jassim who ended up walking away, having wasted millions on legal representatives while the Glazer family left him in limbo. Ratcliffe will soon complete a deal to acquire a 25 per cent stake, but underpinning the arrival of the INEOS chief is one simple notion - the Glazers remain the majority shareholders. And one suspects that's always how it was going to be.
Megastore shut amid fan anger
A significant feature of the Glazer's 21-year involvement at United has been fan protests. Equally significant, has been their tendency to totally ignore them.
So by June this year, with the realisation hitting supporters that a full takeover wouldn't be happening any time soon, came drastic action. The 2023/24 kit launch was supposed to signify an influx of income - instead it had security staff taking drastic action.
Manchester United fans gather outside of Old Trafford in June (PA)The main doors were barricaded shut as groups of supporters gathered outside to vociferously state their opposition to you know who. Their action made headline news and no doubt cost the club a pound or two. But as per usual, it had little impact on the powers that be.
Joel and Avram staying away from Sir Bobby Charlton's funeral this month was a rare indication that the pair were aware of discontent towards them. But while there is still profit to be made, supporter satisfaction will remain way down on their list of priorities.
Glazers rain over United
By October, with Sheikh Jassim having long given up checking his e-mails for a response to his offer, the tarnished legacy of the Glazer family was further exposed in circumstances as laughable as they were lamentable.
Amid a dour 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace, supporters were left both dismayed and drenched. A leaking roof above their heads brutally underlined the argument that the owners have essentially left the 'Theatre of Dreams' to rot in recent years, ignoring the desperate need for renovations.
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A furious online reaction prompted the usual demands for the Glazers to go, following a summer where it emerged Erik ten Hag's spending power was capped by FFP regulations amid a refusal of his bosses to invest. Again, the Americans were content to let the club faithful rage in the background while declining to address the issue, with the responsibility for repairs now seemingly falling on Ratcliffe's shoulders.
Ratcliffe revolution or a false dawn?
As he closes in on his 25 per cent stake, excitement is building over the prospect of Ratcliffe beginning an overhaul.
Richard Arnold is already gone, Sir Dave Brailsford and the likes have been touted to come on board, and pledges over investment - into both transfer funds and the rickety stadium roof - have ignited cautious optimism. But while the lifelong fan undoubtedly arrives with good intentions, don't confuse him handling the day-to-day running with him being in the charge.
Short-term at least, the presence of Ratcliffe will ease some of the scrutiny on the Glazer family. They shall however, remain in charge, and given that their initial £6billion valuation has since been raised, don't expect that factor to change anytime soon unless an earth-shattering offer comes in from elsewhere.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is closing in on a deal to buy a 25 per cent stake in United (AFP via Getty Images)One year ago, United fans were at odds with their owners, wanted them gone, and weren't afraid to be vitriolic with their side no longer serious challengers for the Premier League amid a blundering transfer policy and decline in form. Much has happened in the subsequent 365 days and yet, in truth, nothing has changed.
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