Man Utd owners sent clear exit message as takeover bid takes shape

10 January 2023 , 20:50

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Man Utd owners sent clear exit message as takeover bid takes shape

Manchester United fans wasted no time making their voices heard with a "Glazers out" chant being sung moments after Antony put the Red Devils ahead against Charlton.

United supporters had barely finished celebrating the curling effort in the first half of the Carabao Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford before a section of the fanbase burst into song.

Man United fans have been protesting the Glazer family's ownership of the club for quite some time and may soon get their wish after the American chairmen put the Old Trafford side up for sale in November and opened the floor to offers.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is a strong contender to purchase United given he was born in the city, supports the club and just so happens to be Britain's wealthiest man.

Ratcliffe is good friends with F1 star Lewis Hamilton, and there is speculation the duo could purchase the club together after they teamed up with Sir Martin Broughton last year in a bid to buy Chelsea.

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Hamilton said in September: "Jim's part boss but a partner – I'd say we're more partners because we're in this together and I hope in future to do something with Jim and build with him. I don't know where that will be or what that will be, so I can't really say.

"I haven't had a call from him asking if I want to be involved in [a Man United takeover bid] just yet, but I do want to get more and more involved in teams because I really do believe in black ownership – there is a lack of it in sports – and black equity.

Manchester United fans wasted no time making their voices heard with a "Glazers out" chant on Tuesday (AFP/Getty Images)

"Again, there is a real lack of that."

Ratcliffe founded chemicals giant Ineos back in 1998 and through his company owns Ligue 1 club Nice, the professional cycling team Ineos Grenadiers and Sir Ben Ainslie's sailing team, Ineos Team UK.

The 70-year-old also sponsors the Mercedes Formula One team.

Ratcliffe spoke at a Financial Times event in October before it was announced that the Glazers are open to selling Man United and admitted he'd love to purchase a "premier club".

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is a Manchester United fan and is keen on purchasing the club (Getty Images)

"If it had been for sale in the summer, yes we would probably have had a go following on from the Chelsea thing," he said. "But we can't sit around hoping one day Manchester United will become available.

"So what will happen now? We have a sports franchise. We own a third of Mercedes' Formula 1 team. Robbed last year. The one thing we don't have… football is the most popular sport in the world. We should have a premier club. Nice has got a very interesting history. We'll have a look at what we might be able to do with Nice."

Jake Polden