Avram Glazer breaks silence on Man Utd takeover following Erik ten Hag meeting
Avram Glazer attended Manchester United’s two-goal friendly win over Arsenal on Saturday and was quizzed on the club’s ongoing takeover situation.
Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim is bidding for the club alongside Britain’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who had previously been tipped as favourite with his strategy of buying United. Sheikh Jassim’s bid then appeared to be in pole position to buy the club from the Glazer family, but no decision has been reached.
In a hugely protracted process that is close to entering its ninth month, the Glazer family are finally on the same page regarding the club’s sale. There had been concerns that the family were at odds with each other over the process of selling the club as all six siblings still profit from their shares.
Ahead of the clash against the Gunners in New Jersey, United boss Erik ten Hag had called on a meeting to be held with the Glazer family. With the club on a pre-season tour of the United States, the United boss thought this was the ideal time to talk about the club’s future planning.
Avram is the most involved of the Glazer siblings at United, attending each of last season’s cup finals – his brother Joel, the club’s co-chairman, has not attended a match since early 2019. He is believed to be the most emotionally involved in not wishing to relinquish entire control.
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When asked about the situation at the MetLife stadium by United’s press pack, Avram replied: "I’m just here to enjoy the game" and did not comment any further. It will be a response which is frustrating to fans and investors alike.
Avram Glazer refused to be drawn in to Utd's takeover situation (v/Twitter)
Avram is believed to be the most emotionally involved of the six siblings in Man Utd (Simon Bruty /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) Have Your Say! What would be the best takeover outcome for Man Utd’s future ? Tell us what you think here.
Ratcliffe had previously been tipped as favourite with his strategy of buying United. The INEOS chief’s offer would see him take a controlling interest in the club and allow current owners Joel and Avram Glazer to temporarily retain a 20 per cent stake in United.
The Glazers are hugely unpopular with the United fanbase after their leveraged buyout saw them effectively transfer their business debt onto a previously debt-free club. Coupled with their business strategy, United have been left behind on and off the pitch under their stewardship.
At least two of the six Glazer siblings – Joel and Avram – are understood to have preferred an option which would see an outside investor buy a stake in the club to help finance huge capital projects like the redevelopment of the Old Trafford stadium and Carrington training ground. However, a change of ownership is now the likely outcome.
Several US investment companies – Elliott Management, the Carlyle Group and Ares Management – had been proposing minority investment into the club, which would see the Glazers remain in position at the head of United but with extra spending power available. Yet that is now viewed as unlikely.
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